Wednesday 10th June 2015

Audi TT Mk1: Guilty Pleasures

Mike Duff defends the coupe enthusiasts have been deriding for 15 years - the first Audi TT

---

I'm typing this in a whisper, my friends and relatives have no idea that I'm about to out myself. Because - and there's no easy way to say this - I'm a fan of the Audi TT. And I like it despite the obvious fact it's not a Cayman or an Elise or a 370Z or any of the other highly capable performance machinery you can buy for similar money.

Design has aged fantastically well

For somebody who makes a living writing about cars, this is like saying I think the Volvo 340 was a misunderstood dynamic masterpiece, or the Peugeot 307 CC a coherent and well-resolved piece of design. The standard TT verdict has been passed down on stone tablets since the first one came out: good to look at, not much cop to drive, an A3 (or sometimes a VW Golf) in a party dress. One for fashionistas, or poseurs. Or, worst of all, hairdressers.

I'll try to avoid the distraction of wondering what hairdressers should drive to prove their machismo, and confess that I have used some of those lines over the years. Yet much of this criticism has, to my mind, always missed the mark.

Because despite the received wisdom the TT doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. This is a stylish, practical coupe rather than a proper sports car; and Audi has never really tried to hide its partsbin origins. The fact we think of it as the perennial runner-up in comparo tests says more about the instincts of car journos to try and corral everything into hierarchical segments than it does the car itself.

Stylish, practical, cheap to run...

The TT's debut was a genuine event. I can remember driving one of the first right-hand drive Coupes around London in 1999 and feeling like I was piloting a low-flying spacecraft. I've never driven a car that provoked a more powerful response - one bus driver abandoned his double decker at a set of traffic lights on the Euston Road to cross three lanes of traffic to interrogate me about it: "What is it? How fast? How much?"

The novelty faded, probably about the same time Hugh Grant's too-cool-for-school character drove one in About A Boy, but I still reckon the first-gen TT is a stunning piece of design. As they've got older and cheaper many have ended up with huge wheels and tints and aftermarket DRLs, but an unmolested early 180 or 225 Coupe is still a startlingly fresh piece of design. Would the proportions be better if it didn't sit on a Mk4 Golf floorpan? Probably yes. But then Audi likely wouldn't have got around to building it in the first place.

And yes, I even liked the way it drove. The boosty 1.8 litre turbocharged engine gave a decent turn of pace, and the Haldex four-wheel drive system tried to tame its sometimes endearing (and sometimes alarming) tendency towards lift-off oversteer. Of course it wasn't as sharp a steer as a contemporary Boxster or S2000, or even a BMW Z3 or Mercedes SLK. But unlike them it had a proper boot, rear seats (in the coupe) and - for the most part - four-wheel drive. The 20-valve turbo engine also delivered impressive economy when used gently; I remember seeing 40mpg on a steady motorway run from Manchester to London in a 180 Roadster.

Not just the new car with a fancy interior!

The two subsequent generations got fatter and - to my eyes - the design has got fussier. I struggled to find anything to like about the TT RS beyond its RPG-rivalling performance, and the TDI always seemed like a step too far. But driving the newly launched Mk3 in Scotland last year reminded me what a supremely usable everyday car the TT remains, and how good even a boggo quattro version is at coping with miserable conditions. Definitely not the sort of sports car that sits under a sheet and waits for summer. I know three people who've bought or leased TTs, and each of them has gone on to have at least one more.

Look beyond the four rings and I reckon the TT is basically a modern successor to something like the Ford Capri - another of my favourite cars. Stylish, practical and - thanks to its mainstream underpinnings - costing the same to run as its everyday sisters, and not that much more to buy new. Lots of flash for not too much cash and all that. But with early Mk1s now heading towards almost outrageous affordability, this is one itch I might have to scratch soon.

[W124]

Trusay. In a subtle dark colour, one of the design greats. I quite like the way they drive as well.

[smaybury]

I liked mine. A set of fatter ARBs cost me £300 from H&R and totally transformed the handling.

Sadly, you can't fit a Rhodesian Ridgeback in the back, (or you can, but she doesn't like it) so it had to go.

[Nors]

"The two subsequent generations got fatter"

Really? They did get lighter.

Nice honest article.

[Andy75]

Yay I have a '52 plate 225 coupe that found a place on the driveway instead of a 350Z. Sounds like an odd step, but it was needed as the Z didn't inspire me with confidence with my limited driving skills in the winter. Looking at a Mk2 TTRS next year, but I think the Mk1 will always stay. No I'm not a hairdresser.

[James Junior]

Totally agree - one of the most iconic and timeless pieces of automotive design on the road in my opinion, though look a bit underwheeled without the optional 18" wheels. Cabins are really classy too, though the steering wheels are massive!

The later versions look really bland to my eye by comparison and agree about the RS - that wing is gross.

A remapped 225 with upgraded suspension is a really quick and capable car that wouldn't cost much to buy or maintain.

[soad]

Not much love for the V6, iirc.

[kambites]

I've always thought they were lovely looking things, I can see why they sold so well.

[Krikkit]

soad said:

Not much love for the V6, iirc.

Too nose-heavy presumably? The turbo 4-pots are a better idea imo. I always liked the TT design, if only they were allowed without the rear spoiler ruining the sleek looks.

[J4CKO]

The Audi A5 is the modern Capri !

I too love the Mk1 TT, I loved it when it first came out but familiarity breeds contempt and it became the preserve of poseurs, so being a fickle petrolhead, I went off it, or ignored it a bit.

But now the posuers have moved on I have started noticing them again, the wife quite fancies one, I think they look best in Misano red coupe with the later wheels, and nothing additional done to them, some miss the point and dogs dinner the TT, it does not need ham fisted attempts to improve on its almost art deco curves.

They seem to last well (apart from one or two well publicised issues) and there are still loads about and they are pretty cheap at the moment.

I think Audi diluted it a bit with the second one, it was more Audi than TT but still a decent looking thing, the new one is a bit truer to the original.

I have nearly bought one but went for a 350Z and I dont think I would swap it for a TT based on how each drives, the 350Z is a lot more entertaining (except at the petrol station where its like a guilty dog thats just eaten your lunch - again) but everything else about it makes me want one.

Anyway, dont drive prices up !

[pti]

Krikkit said:

soad said:

Not much love for the V6, iirc.

Too nose-heavy presumably? The turbo 4-pots are a better idea imo. I always liked the TT design, if only they were allowed without the rear spoiler ruining the sleek looks.

I had a V6. Looked and sounded great. That was about it.

[Nors]

J4CKO said:

Anyway, dont drive prices up !

A while away I think, there's still too many around. Given it's iconic design though, when unmolested examples become a rare thing, I can see the values going up for these sometime in the future.

Future investment? I think so.

[J4CKO]

Nors said:

J4CKO said:

Anyway, dont drive prices up !

A while away I think, there's still too many around. Given it's iconic design though, when unmolested examples become a rare thing, I can see the values going up for these sometime in the future.

Future investment? I think so.

Yeah, still plenty of time yet.

This is the video that decided me I wanted a 350Z when it was pitched against a TT Sport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41GWmcMK7jc

Since then I realised that I don't actually go everywhere sideways, so the TT would have been fine.

Funnily enough I had a little (sensible) dice with the new TTS the other day, a 15 plate blue one and expected my arse handing to me, very little in it, I really thought it would be a lot quicker, maybe it wasn't run in, I let on to the driver but he didnt look impressed, it sounded nice though.

I want my wife to get one and then I can borrow it, still stuck with carting kids around and two daft cars arent an option and the C1 doesnt count as a proper car.

[rainmasterb]

Quite agree! If I was in the market for a small coupe with a bit of extra 'specialness' I would happily invest the £5k or so it would take to get me a Quattro Sport 240, just something about them that I really like....

[Nige_GTI]

Krikkit said:

soad said:

Not much love for the V6, iirc.

Too nose-heavy presumably? The turbo 4-pots are a better idea imo. I always liked the TT design, if only they were allowed without the rear spoiler ruining the sleek looks.

I had one, in Denim Blue, that either had the spoiler removed, or it was never fitted, much better looking car IMHO

[MrHooky]

I've had a V6 DSG now for nearly 6 years. Dolomite Grey with the 18" BBS OEM wheels. It's been lowered on Eibach springs, spacers to push the wheels out a little, and has a Revo remap which improves throttle response - supposedly c.265bhp which feels quick enough.

It's a lovely thing and I've not ever wanted to sell it. I too struggled with the image but it was one of the cheapest ways into V6 ownership when I bought in 2009.

I've since bought a D2 S8 for daily duties (I like my older quattros) and have toyed with the idea of parting with it although I have become very attached to it and can't bear to part with it for what will be less than £6k.

I do beleive values will (and have) stabilised for the good V6 and Quattro Sport examples. I may look to swap mine for a QS as it's supposedly dynamically superior but I do like the DSG and V6 combo.

A few photos of mine...

[J4CKO]

Mr Hooky, that is a really nice example.

[Nors]

J4CKO said:

Yeah, still plenty of time yet.

This is the video that decided me I wanted a 350Z when it was pitched against a TT Sport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41GWmcMK7jc

Since then I realised that I don't actually go everywhere sideways, so the TT would have been fine.

Funnily enough I had a little (sensible) dice with the new TTS the other day, a 15 plate blue one and expected my arse handing to me, very little in it, I really thought it would be a lot quicker, maybe it wasn't run in, I let on to the driver but he didnt look impressed, it sounded nice though.

I want my wife to get one and then I can borrow it, still stuck with carting kids around and two daft cars arent an option and the C1 doesnt count as a proper car.

20/30bhp difference isn't going to let any car blast away from you when you're already 270+?, perhaps if you swap driver? (given the notional hairdresser in the TT)

I've had the dilemma regarding the kids before. Not an easy one mate or, if like me, you'd have a drive full of cars not family friendly and just call a taxi for the kids!

[Nors]

J4CKO said:

Mr Hooky, that is a really nice example.

+1

Some cars don't suit Green, but that shade looks really nice on the TT.

[GTEYE]

A design classic for sure.

Too many about still to be appreciated as such just yet, its in that unfortunate phase that E30 BMW's were in for many years where many will be ruined.

But its time will come again, and prices will rise accordingly.

[corcoran]

Nige_GTI said:

I had one, in Denim Blue, that either had the spoiler removed, or it was never fitted, much better looking car IMHO

the original car didn't have a spoiler but a safety issue meant they were all recalled to have one fitted .. from memory.. they had a tendancy to .. fly..