Trackday car: S3 or mk1 TT 225
Discussion
As the title suggests, considering both of these for cheap trackday fun and tuning potential to grow into.
What would be the fundamental differences between the two and which would be the better base car?
There isn't much on the web to describe differences easily so looking for more information really.
What would be the fundamental differences between the two and which would be the better base car?
There isn't much on the web to describe differences easily so looking for more information really.
Much the same car sharing the vast majority of drivetrain components.
TT is the lighter of the two. You could easily include both in your search which would give you a wider choice of cars and let you find something really sound mechanically. There's a lot of weight you can tear straight out of either if it's doing track duty.
We have an A3 quattro as a track car and on day 1 binned (probably) nearly 200kg of leather/Bose/trim/insulation/clips/brackets/guards... The massive electric Recaros in an S3 are mounted too high in the car and weigh an absolute ton.
TT is the lighter of the two. You could easily include both in your search which would give you a wider choice of cars and let you find something really sound mechanically. There's a lot of weight you can tear straight out of either if it's doing track duty.
We have an A3 quattro as a track car and on day 1 binned (probably) nearly 200kg of leather/Bose/trim/insulation/clips/brackets/guards... The massive electric Recaros in an S3 are mounted too high in the car and weigh an absolute ton.
I used to run a '99 S3 as a track day car when I was first getting into track driving.
The engine itself was bullet proof with 120k miles on it when I bought it - I went for the S3 over the TT due to wanting to use it with the family as well plus the S3's of that vintage were a lot cheaper than the comparable TT's.
The main problem with track days on it though was the brakes, it is a heavy car in either configuration and a lot of use meant the brakes cooked regularly, this resulted in the callipers leaking eventually. Tried all sorts of fluids and pads but was only properly fixed by going to Brembo 4 pots on the front.
As Dr G points out the seats are very heavy, I got some Pole Position buckets fitted which made a notable difference - plus suspension upgraded to coil-overs and new bushes which the garage I used managed to get a good neutral balance with. Don't believe the under-steer comments about these cars, just as easy to swap ends in a fast corner.
If going for an older one with high miles I found a lot of the vacuum pipes needed replacing otherwise the performance was hit quite badly.
The only real complaint I had about it was that the fastest way to drive it really was to point at the apex and floor the accelerator, letting the 4wd sort out all the drama. It's a car that the fastest way around is not the most elegant.
Ended up changing it for an early S2 Lotus Elise and whilst it is not as quick I soon realised how much the S3 electronics covered up for my lack of driving ability...
Cheers,
Phil
The engine itself was bullet proof with 120k miles on it when I bought it - I went for the S3 over the TT due to wanting to use it with the family as well plus the S3's of that vintage were a lot cheaper than the comparable TT's.
The main problem with track days on it though was the brakes, it is a heavy car in either configuration and a lot of use meant the brakes cooked regularly, this resulted in the callipers leaking eventually. Tried all sorts of fluids and pads but was only properly fixed by going to Brembo 4 pots on the front.
As Dr G points out the seats are very heavy, I got some Pole Position buckets fitted which made a notable difference - plus suspension upgraded to coil-overs and new bushes which the garage I used managed to get a good neutral balance with. Don't believe the under-steer comments about these cars, just as easy to swap ends in a fast corner.
If going for an older one with high miles I found a lot of the vacuum pipes needed replacing otherwise the performance was hit quite badly.
The only real complaint I had about it was that the fastest way to drive it really was to point at the apex and floor the accelerator, letting the 4wd sort out all the drama. It's a car that the fastest way around is not the most elegant.
Ended up changing it for an early S2 Lotus Elise and whilst it is not as quick I soon realised how much the S3 electronics covered up for my lack of driving ability...
Cheers,
Phil
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