Discussion
Hello all,
Coming into some money soon and I need something with an engine! Wife has an EV and my company cars are PHEV and 95% of my driving is on the electric part, the itch for internal combustion is strong. Mostly going to pay down the mortgage and do sensible things (garden tools), but there's a bit left for a toy,
I'm pretty set on a MK1 TT V6, for various reasons: very familiar with VAG, want a cabriolet, loved the VR6 in my Corrado years ago and must be auto so my wife can drive it. Budget is £5-7,000, not adverse to doing some mods to it, don't want to go insane as it's a high days and holidays car and one I think will slowly appreciate and don't want to ruin that aspect of ownership.
I know the DSG of that age is a risk, but realistically how much of a risk? I've had/driven more VAG cars with DSG than I care to think about (car salesman, mostly VAG for the last 16 years) and never had an issue, we've had 1-5 year old family cars with DSG with no drama, I'm just worried about the early ones.
Aware of possible timing chain issues and that the roof could be expensive if tatty/broken, would factor into purchase price if they were rattly.
What are the other common issues and will it be a money pit? Am I off my head thinking it'll appreciate a bit? Fully understand a manual will be a better resale proposition and TT's aren't the final word in driving dynamics and I'm not going to get rich, just sort of hoping the appreciation kind of wipes it's nose for running costs.
Thanks for any advice.
Aaron
Coming into some money soon and I need something with an engine! Wife has an EV and my company cars are PHEV and 95% of my driving is on the electric part, the itch for internal combustion is strong. Mostly going to pay down the mortgage and do sensible things (garden tools), but there's a bit left for a toy,
I'm pretty set on a MK1 TT V6, for various reasons: very familiar with VAG, want a cabriolet, loved the VR6 in my Corrado years ago and must be auto so my wife can drive it. Budget is £5-7,000, not adverse to doing some mods to it, don't want to go insane as it's a high days and holidays car and one I think will slowly appreciate and don't want to ruin that aspect of ownership.
I know the DSG of that age is a risk, but realistically how much of a risk? I've had/driven more VAG cars with DSG than I care to think about (car salesman, mostly VAG for the last 16 years) and never had an issue, we've had 1-5 year old family cars with DSG with no drama, I'm just worried about the early ones.
Aware of possible timing chain issues and that the roof could be expensive if tatty/broken, would factor into purchase price if they were rattly.
What are the other common issues and will it be a money pit? Am I off my head thinking it'll appreciate a bit? Fully understand a manual will be a better resale proposition and TT's aren't the final word in driving dynamics and I'm not going to get rich, just sort of hoping the appreciation kind of wipes it's nose for running costs.
Thanks for any advice.
Aaron
I've had multiple VR6 Corrados and currently have a nice G60. I bought a nice TT 3.2 DSG which had a recondiationed DSG gearbox 8,000 miles ago in 2019 (£3k receipt). The flywheel has since failed, ideally should have been done in 2019 but wasn't, and I am faced with another £1500 to repair. I worry the mech brains will fail shortly afterwards.
TT Spares in Crewe offer a manual swap for £2500. Personally I would probably hunt out a manual rather than DSG. These cars are getting old and the DSG box is asking for trouble. Also you can't get a DSG gearbox mount for the mk1, where as the manual is plentiful as shares parts with the Mk4 Golf 4motion and R32.
The TT is nice but doesn't drive anywhere near as well as a Corrado. Think of it is a mini GT type car.
I'm likely getting rid of mine with fault disclosed.
TT Spares in Crewe offer a manual swap for £2500. Personally I would probably hunt out a manual rather than DSG. These cars are getting old and the DSG box is asking for trouble. Also you can't get a DSG gearbox mount for the mk1, where as the manual is plentiful as shares parts with the Mk4 Golf 4motion and R32.
The TT is nice but doesn't drive anywhere near as well as a Corrado. Think of it is a mini GT type car.
I'm likely getting rid of mine with fault disclosed.
If you do want one take a look a dubbers sports in Huddersfield. He sources and prepares them to a high standard. Mine is likely going to him, it was otherwise an excellent car, not a cab though.
I would also suggest a 987 Boxster as an alternative. I have one of those too and honestly the repair costs on the Porsche are far cheaper and and lot less hassle than the Audi (not obsolete, loads of specialists around, don't have to wait weeks to get anyone to work on the car as is the way with VAG stuff).
I would also suggest a 987 Boxster as an alternative. I have one of those too and honestly the repair costs on the Porsche are far cheaper and and lot less hassle than the Audi (not obsolete, loads of specialists around, don't have to wait weeks to get anyone to work on the car as is the way with VAG stuff).
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
Auto is a must, my wife has a manual licence, but due to some rather unfortunate health issues, can't use the left side of her body properly.
Boxster was a thought, I'd assumed way more to run than an Audi, maybe not? Is the auto box in the Porsche any good?
Understand the TT won't be the last word in driving dynamics, I'm just looking for something with a nice engine, convertible and is good to drive at 7/8 tenths.
Auto is a must, my wife has a manual licence, but due to some rather unfortunate health issues, can't use the left side of her body properly.
Boxster was a thought, I'd assumed way more to run than an Audi, maybe not? Is the auto box in the Porsche any good?
Understand the TT won't be the last word in driving dynamics, I'm just looking for something with a nice engine, convertible and is good to drive at 7/8 tenths.
Edited by missing the VR6 on Tuesday 11th August 14:53
It's a fine gearbox in the boxster, not a dsg style box though.
Dynamics yes, wooden in comparison.
TT 3.2 can have its costs, but buying one that's had jobs done will de-risk it. Timing chains = £2k, gearbox = £2-5k, they are 20 years old so £2k-3k of suspension work could be expected. Haldex. Sensors etc (which are usually obsolete on VAG stuff as the cars are not supported beyond 10-15 years by the brand). A little bit like the Corrado for part hunting which I think is the reason they have never done that well as a classic values wise.
A BMW Z4 might be a happy medium?
Dynamics yes, wooden in comparison.
TT 3.2 can have its costs, but buying one that's had jobs done will de-risk it. Timing chains = £2k, gearbox = £2-5k, they are 20 years old so £2k-3k of suspension work could be expected. Haldex. Sensors etc (which are usually obsolete on VAG stuff as the cars are not supported beyond 10-15 years by the brand). A little bit like the Corrado for part hunting which I think is the reason they have never done that well as a classic values wise.
A BMW Z4 might be a happy medium?
Not a TT but I had a 2004 Audi A3, 3.2 DSG so, same engine/gearbox/powertrain.
Bought it new, had it for 12 years, it did have the timing chain/adjuster fail at 4 years old, fortunately Audi mostly good-willed the repair so I ended up paying just the cost of a service.
As for the DSG gearbox, I had the oil/filter changes done on time and in the nearly 100k miles I drove it, it never gave me any bother other than, it had quite an appetite for batteries and if/when the battery charge was low, it would bring up multiple errors after startup, including gear selection errors that would gradually worsen until it would come to a complete stop with no drive. At this point however the battery would have sufficient 'juice' to then restart and would be fine.
Audi never could explain this but as long as the battery was good and had plenty of charge it was always OK.
As for paying £5k - £7k, seems a lot to me though I'm out of touch with pricing but for reference (and I know the TT is different to the A3) I only got £2k for mine 12 years ago and was generally offered around £1.5k and it was an immaculate, high spec model with a full Audi service history.
As for driving, I enjoyed it, it did everything I needed was fast(ish), handled well enough, was a tad on the thirsty side but, luckily wasn't in the 'super tax' band due to emissions as it was built pre-introduction of the most punitive bands.
Bought it new, had it for 12 years, it did have the timing chain/adjuster fail at 4 years old, fortunately Audi mostly good-willed the repair so I ended up paying just the cost of a service.
As for the DSG gearbox, I had the oil/filter changes done on time and in the nearly 100k miles I drove it, it never gave me any bother other than, it had quite an appetite for batteries and if/when the battery charge was low, it would bring up multiple errors after startup, including gear selection errors that would gradually worsen until it would come to a complete stop with no drive. At this point however the battery would have sufficient 'juice' to then restart and would be fine.
Audi never could explain this but as long as the battery was good and had plenty of charge it was always OK.
As for paying £5k - £7k, seems a lot to me though I'm out of touch with pricing but for reference (and I know the TT is different to the A3) I only got £2k for mine 12 years ago and was generally offered around £1.5k and it was an immaculate, high spec model with a full Audi service history.
As for driving, I enjoyed it, it did everything I needed was fast(ish), handled well enough, was a tad on the thirsty side but, luckily wasn't in the 'super tax' band due to emissions as it was built pre-introduction of the most punitive bands.
Thanks for the replies, I'd ruled the Boxster out due to the Tiptronic as I've never found Tiptronic boxes great, but I haven't driven one on the Porsche to be honest. Once the money comes in, I'll try a Boxster too.
Good to know it might not be completely ruinous, I guess depending on previous keeper attitude to maintenance.
Good to know it might not be completely ruinous, I guess depending on previous keeper attitude to maintenance.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff