Audi TT - 1st gen - What to check prior to purchase?
Discussion
My neighbour is selling his daughters really clean 05 plate 180 brake TT for WBAC valuation price (1.5k).
Its done circa 70k and has a decent MOT history of just needing tires, bulbs etc.
Thinking as adding it as a 3rd car. What is worth checking on these? Any big bills lurking?
Cheers.
Its done circa 70k and has a decent MOT history of just needing tires, bulbs etc.
Thinking as adding it as a 3rd car. What is worth checking on these? Any big bills lurking?
Cheers.
Cheers guys. Went round and had a look. There one line of pixelation across the bottom but apart from that all good. All gauges work etc drives nicely. Bit of mayo on the cap but its been stood and the oil was clean.
I'm not going to buy it though because my mum had a ride in it when I went for a test drive, loved it, and she's gazumped me!
I'm not going to buy it though because my mum had a ride in it when I went for a test drive, loved it, and she's gazumped me!
As above, cambelt ASAP. They break when the water pumps seize, my 90k one went through 4. Still snapped a belt.
Look for rust at the bottom of the front and rear wings where the panels meet the sills, tiny amount of bubble means lore behind, not a biggy but they need doing.
On tickover check for the Rev needle hunting up and down, if it does there will be a vac leak so budget a smoke test (not much but needs sorting)
You can conver a 180 to 225 easily, I am breaking a 230/240 spec now.
Check when haldex was serviced if 4wd.
Look for rust at the bottom of the front and rear wings where the panels meet the sills, tiny amount of bubble means lore behind, not a biggy but they need doing.
On tickover check for the Rev needle hunting up and down, if it does there will be a vac leak so budget a smoke test (not much but needs sorting)
You can conver a 180 to 225 easily, I am breaking a 230/240 spec now.
Check when haldex was serviced if 4wd.
Thanks caddyshack.
It idled well so no issue there. Its 2wd so no issues with Haldex (I assume at least as there is no quattro badging)
Will be booked in for a service, cam belt, pump and tensioner next week.
I've never driven one before but it really is a lot of car for the money. Makes a nice sound with your foot down too.
Will double check the bodywork so thanks for the pointers, but from a cursory glance it looks really clean.
It idled well so no issue there. Its 2wd so no issues with Haldex (I assume at least as there is no quattro badging)
Will be booked in for a service, cam belt, pump and tensioner next week.
I've never driven one before but it really is a lot of car for the money. Makes a nice sound with your foot down too.
Will double check the bodywork so thanks for the pointers, but from a cursory glance it looks really clean.
The other place to find some tinworm is around the bottom of the tailgate, number plate lights especially. I can't recall exactly but I think it gets in through the seal where the spoilers are fixed, and once in it sits there doing its work from the inside out.
If it has xenons, make sure the washers work properly - bumper off job to replace. Not a huge amount of work but they're a pain in the ass to get back on straight.
If it has xenons, make sure the washers work properly - bumper off job to replace. Not a huge amount of work but they're a pain in the ass to get back on straight.
Thanks for all the tips guys.
It's only next door and the neighbour has left me a key so will give it a good look over tomorrow in the daylight.
Its the coupe version and to my eyes still looks good today - Black with cream leather.
One thing I did notice is that although the wheels are mint, the center caps have had their day - so any leads on new / repro ones would be great.
Mums smitten so assuming we go through with it I'll post up a little readers car thread as I work through any niggles for her.
It's only next door and the neighbour has left me a key so will give it a good look over tomorrow in the daylight.
Its the coupe version and to my eyes still looks good today - Black with cream leather.
One thing I did notice is that although the wheels are mint, the center caps have had their day - so any leads on new / repro ones would be great.
Mums smitten so assuming we go through with it I'll post up a little readers car thread as I work through any niggles for her.
Oil pickup should be serviced/replaced ASAP - they fill up with crud and once you've seen the oil pressure light, too late.
They're quite hard on suspension components, though these are cheap and easy to replace.
The Haldex unit should have a service history.
The wastegate controller can play up, leaving you with spring pressure boost only (5psi) - cheap and easy to replace.
The diverter valves get old and play up leaving you with either no boost or turbo stall. Forge do excellent upgrade units.
Dash issues as mentioned.
The stock audio is pants. Bose not much better.
Door locks and window regulators can and do fail - doors may not open easily, windows can drop into the door. Both cheap and easy fixes.
The cambelt isn't the easiest or cheapest to do.
The rocker cover can leak (not exactly unique to these).
On BAM engines (not in a 180) the cam timing solenoid can fail throwing an EML. Very easy to change.
Failed ABS sensors and yaw control sensors can cause some interesting fault finding missions.
Alternator regulators fail, these can be changed in situ.
Thermostats aren't bad to change - if it's slow to warm up this is worth doing.
Brake pipe hard lines are vulnerable to corrosion front and rear.
Vacuum pipework throughout the engine bay is prone to failure at all points, from the PCV system to the turbo actuation to the brake servo(!) I had the pipework to the servo fail, and losing assistance at high speed is not something I want to repeat!
Boost pipes can and do fail, and can blow off if poor clips are used. Upgrades are available.
Coolant level sensor can gum up giving false readings.
Headlight washers (only on xenon equipped cars) are failure prone. Same with the headlight level sensors on the suspension arms.
The airbag controller can play up, these often have to be removed and reset with VCDS as most handheld scanners won't do it.
Rust resistance on the body is good, but the suspension can get very crusty.
Plus many more things.
My first one had most of these issues! Second one is a better car. Despite this list, I like them very much but a bad one can be wallet draining.
They're quite hard on suspension components, though these are cheap and easy to replace.
The Haldex unit should have a service history.
The wastegate controller can play up, leaving you with spring pressure boost only (5psi) - cheap and easy to replace.
The diverter valves get old and play up leaving you with either no boost or turbo stall. Forge do excellent upgrade units.
Dash issues as mentioned.
The stock audio is pants. Bose not much better.
Door locks and window regulators can and do fail - doors may not open easily, windows can drop into the door. Both cheap and easy fixes.
The cambelt isn't the easiest or cheapest to do.
The rocker cover can leak (not exactly unique to these).
On BAM engines (not in a 180) the cam timing solenoid can fail throwing an EML. Very easy to change.
Failed ABS sensors and yaw control sensors can cause some interesting fault finding missions.
Alternator regulators fail, these can be changed in situ.
Thermostats aren't bad to change - if it's slow to warm up this is worth doing.
Brake pipe hard lines are vulnerable to corrosion front and rear.
Vacuum pipework throughout the engine bay is prone to failure at all points, from the PCV system to the turbo actuation to the brake servo(!) I had the pipework to the servo fail, and losing assistance at high speed is not something I want to repeat!
Boost pipes can and do fail, and can blow off if poor clips are used. Upgrades are available.
Coolant level sensor can gum up giving false readings.
Headlight washers (only on xenon equipped cars) are failure prone. Same with the headlight level sensors on the suspension arms.
The airbag controller can play up, these often have to be removed and reset with VCDS as most handheld scanners won't do it.
Rust resistance on the body is good, but the suspension can get very crusty.
Plus many more things.
My first one had most of these issues! Second one is a better car. Despite this list, I like them very much but a bad one can be wallet draining.
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