Slighty doggy old TT 225

[J4CKO]

Well, sold my CLS to a PHer, planned to just use our C1 for a while, until we just have one at Uni, until our extension is done and until I know if my job is secure, but eBay is a dangerous thing, so armed with a limited budget and a hankering for a MK1 I bored myself witless looking at a motley selection that were in budget, went to see one that had rusty wings and bald tyres, gave that a miss and went to see another that was better but a long way from perfect, the really nice ones are probably double my budget. This appealed due tot he colour and the TT Sport wheels which fill the arches, so many have crap wheels on,

Untitled by Mark Jackson, on Flickr

Untitled by Mark Jackson, on Flickr

Untitled by Mark Jackson, on Flickr

Untitled by Mark Jackson, on Flickr

Untitled by Mark Jackson, on Flickr


It came with a load of recent work done, which is perhaps why it was a bit short on coolant, so had to fill and bleed that and then gave it a good clean.

It drives very well, fairly brisk, no clonks or untoward noises, everything more or less works, Largely free of rust, one small bit on a wing edge and a patch on the sill, not bad, just needs paint on it, cant see it and they are replaceable anyway, few small dings but for two grand and change it is in good order, previous owner spent two grand on the engine, suspension etc.

It has some god awful ditchfinders on the back so they need replacing
Keep an eye on the coolant situation
Drivers window not doing the drop/raise thing all the time
Headlights have a bit of condensation
Maybe refurb the wheels.
Haldex Service

[Prinny]

ooo Shiny! I like it. These still look great imo, definitely worth keeping hold of a good standard one going forward.

How many miles? Twin exhaust means the 225 right?

And, having recently got out of a z4, how do you find getting in and out? It’s the low height that appeals so much when looking, but less so when getting out next to a kerb.

[J4CKO]

Prinny said:

ooo Shiny! I like it. These still look great imo, definitely worth keeping hold of a good standard one going forward.

How many miles? Twin exhaust means the 225 right?

And, having recently got out of a z4, how do you find getting in and out? It’s the low height that appeals so much when looking, but less so when getting out next to a kerb.

Yeah, 225, its quite "boosty" and quite low geared, its brisk-ish, useful but not rapid, not struggled getting in and out, doesnt seem that stupidly low or hard to get in, 944 was worse in that respect, feels similar in a lot of ways.

This one will never be concourse, but its done well for its age, they did build them well, they have a few issues but build quality wasn't one.

126,000 miles

[Luke.]

Serious question, but is any fun to drive coming from the Z4?

Love the shape of these. Love the price too. Plus it's got two back seats that I might just squeeze in my 4 and 6 year old...

[blueveloce]

I`ve wanted a mk1 TT 3.2v6 for sometime and seeing this (i know its a 1.8T) isn`t helping......theres a blue 3.2 near me and i am really tempted to put a note on the windscreen....


Stop with the torture..


by the way it looks real nice..

[J4CKO]

Luke. said:

Serious question, but is any fun to drive coming from the Z4?

Love the shape of these. Love the price too. Plus it's got two back seats that I might just squeeze in my 4 and 6 year old...

Its quite a nice thing to drive, chunky controls, rides ok, interior nice place to sit, not exactly super focused but it goes where you point it.


I didnt have a Z4 though, that was Prinny, I had a 944 Cab and 350Z roadster, the 944 was old and wobbly, though beguiling in its own way, like an elderly Border Collie, useless but you love it all the same, 350Z was a yobbo of a car, shouted a lot but not actually that fast, this is entirely different, kind of reminds me more of an old Golf Mk2 GTI strangely, but a bit more powerful. It has a good lump of grunt but it runs out of puff, not theatrical like the 350Z but effective and quite endearing in its own way.

[J4CKO]

blueveloce said:

I`ve wanted a mk1 TT 3.2v6 for sometime and seeing this (i know its a 1.8T) isn`t helping......theres a blue 3.2 near me and i am really tempted to put a note on the windscreen....


Stop with the torture..


by the way it looks real nice..

Be careful with the V6, they have two big and expensive foibles, the cam chains stretch and if DSG (Most are) the "mechatronic" unit goes, both are two to three grand issues, cam chain being the worst, Mechantronics less so but still expensive.

The 1.8 T has its own issues but none quite as spendy, get a 225 and get it remapped, the V6 isnt much quicker than the 225 and not as quick once remapped, but, depends if you want the sound, 350Z is a safer bet for that.

[Prinny]

Luke. said:

Serious question, but is any fun to drive coming from the Z4?

Love the shape of these. Love the price too. Plus it's got two back seats that I might just squeeze in my 4 and 6 year old...

Erm... I’ve never driven a tt. So can’t really help on that, sorry. My (now departed) z4 was a ‘60 plate, so one of the metal folding roof ones. Quick, but not a great handler. Ultimately, the primary ride is too stiff for the UK’s roads in my opinion, at least on the 19” wheels anyway.

It made perfect sense in Germany though, was very nice there.

From what I recall of the tests at the time on the tt, it’s not bad, if ultimately front-led understeer, but to be fair, that’s a Haldex thing, as far as I know.

I’m sure someone (with actual experience!) will be along in a bit to inform.

[MDMA .]

Looks good. I do like the original TT, more so the Sport model. The 225 responds well to a bit of light tuning. Sports cat, exhaust and re-map ( check to see if it has the factory DV fitted, change if it has ).

[blueveloce]

J4CKO said:

blueveloce said:

I`ve wanted a mk1 TT 3.2v6 for sometime and seeing this (i know its a 1.8T) isn`t helping......theres a blue 3.2 near me and i am really tempted to put a note on the windscreen....


Stop with the torture..


by the way it looks real nice..

Be careful with the V6, they have two big and expensive foibles, the cam chains stretch and if DSG (Most are) the "mechatronic" unit goes, both are two to three grand issues, cam chain being the worst, Mechantronics less so but still expensive.

The 1.8 T has its own issues but none quite as spendy, get a 225 and get it remapped, the V6 isnt much quicker than the 225 and not as quick once remapped, but, depends if you want the sound, 350Z is a safer bet for that.

Thanks for the info...I need the dsg/auto due to detached left knee surgery done some time ago,i can drive a manual but i get some pain after a little while.If i go looking for a v6 i will go in with eyes open to these issues.

[J4CKO]

blueveloce said:

J4CKO said:

blueveloce said:

I`ve wanted a mk1 TT 3.2v6 for sometime and seeing this (i know its a 1.8T) isn`t helping......theres a blue 3.2 near me and i am really tempted to put a note on the windscreen....


Stop with the torture..


by the way it looks real nice..

Be careful with the V6, they have two big and expensive foibles, the cam chains stretch and if DSG (Most are) the "mechatronic" unit goes, both are two to three grand issues, cam chain being the worst, Mechantronics less so but still expensive.

The 1.8 T has its own issues but none quite as spendy, get a 225 and get it remapped, the V6 isnt much quicker than the 225 and not as quick once remapped, but, depends if you want the sound, 350Z is a safer bet for that.

Thanks for the info...I need the dsg/auto due to detached left knee surgery done some time ago,i can drive a manual but i get some pain after a little while.If i go looking for a v6 i will go in with eyes open to these issues.

Ah ok, the DSG is meant to be good on them, just try and find one that has had the mechatronic replaced and preferably the cam chain done, there was a lovely Misano red one on eBay a while back, had both issues sorted, was lowered on some nice wheels, was perhaps a little bit ott but looked stunning, I wasnt ready to buy at the time.

That said, there is a check you can do with the VAG.COM software to check how stretched the chain is, there are bounds, check it and walk away if its anywhere near, with the DSG its a case of ensuring it changes smoothly and doesnt judder or anything, reverse round corners, up slight inclines, just do some reading.

[J4CKO]

MDMA . said:

Looks good. I do like the original TT, more so the Sport model. The 225 responds well to a bit of light tuning. Sports cat, exhaust and re-map ( check to see if it has the factory DV fitted, change if it has ).

Think it has an aftermarket DV, the owner said it had been replaced. May get a remap but no intention of sinking any significant money into it, time, effort and targetted, sensible spend when needed.

[blueveloce]

J4CKO said:

Ah ok, the DSG is meant to be good on them, just try and find one that has had the mechatronic replaced and preferably the cam chain done, there was a lovely Misano red one on eBay a while back, had both issues sorted, was lowered on some nice wheels, was perhaps a little bit ott but looked stunning, I wasnt ready to buy at the time.

That said, there is a check you can do with the VAG.COM software to check how stretched the chain is, there are bounds, check it and walk away if its anywhere near, with the DSG its a case of ensuring it changes smoothly and doesnt judder or anything, reverse round corners, up slight inclines, just do some reading.

[Gallons Per Mile]

Are you any good with a MOP? That'll look spanking in that colour with a light polish. Looks like a good purchase

[J4CKO]

And be prepared for the Hairdresser comments.....

[J4CKO]

Gallons Per Mile said:

Are you any good with a MOP? That'll look spanking in that colour with a light polish. Looks like a good purchase

Got a DA polisher, needs new pad and some more polish so just did a quick polish with Poorboys White Diamond (all I had) and then a quick coat of Collonite wax.

[mwstewart]

That's worn the miles very well. Looks like a good one.

[Gallons Per Mile]

J4CKO said:

Got a DA polisher, needs new pad and some more polish so just did a quick polish with Poorboys White Diamond (all I had) and then a quick coat of Collonite wax.

Fair enough. Reason I said about a MOP was that passenger door looks rather dull in the pic compared to the rest of the side of the car. I reckon the rest of the car will respond well too. I polished a small scratch on a black golf I owned a while back. Ended up doing the whole car because the difference was night and day. It didn't look that dull to start with though!!

[J4CKO]

Gallons Per Mile said:

J4CKO said:

Got a DA polisher, needs new pad and some more polish so just did a quick polish with Poorboys White Diamond (all I had) and then a quick coat of Collonite wax.

Fair enough. Reason I said about a MOP was that passenger door looks rather dull in the pic compared to the rest of the side of the car. I reckon the rest of the car will respond well too. I polished a small scratch on a black golf I owned a while back. Ended up doing the whole car because the difference was night and day. It didn't look that dull to start with though!!

Think that door has had paint to be honest, will give it a try, not aiming for perfection with it, it looks pretty good, that last ten percent would be hard to achieve, dont aim to put much money into it if I can avoid it, will get a few commitments out of the way and then perhaps go newer, I have always fancied one of these so its a good chance to scratch that itch, did the barge thing last time but will probably spend more next time, hard to spend less

[Barchettaman]

Nice one Mark, looks like you've found a good one there. A bit of time and thought will improve it no end. A lot of metal for the money, and (to my eyes) they've aged well both inside and out.