mk1 TT's- what's to know?

[H_Kan]

Following on from my thread about insurance going loopy and considering what I am after, I decided the Cooper S wasn't a good shout as low 20's mpg on an urban commute with rising fuel prices isn't a good idea.

I have, in my own mind reached the mk1 TT 225 as being a good mix of insurance cost, purchase price and being decent on the commute with a decent turn of speed for when the opportunity arises.

Question is, what sort of mpg can I realistically expect? (to give an idea of the drive, it involves Kingston, Tolworth and Twickenham town centres, so 12 miles takes about 45-50mins.)

Additionally, what are the things to look for when buying? It seems that a number of things can go wrong!

Finally, any general observations welcome.

[Gav147]

Had one for just over 6 years now and not had any major problems with it other than a dead battery if its left stood a while, someone posted a list of the common faults found on them in a thread just below this one might want to check through that one.

As for fuel consumption I get just over 30 sat on a motorway but round town it does around the mid 20's.

[TTwiggy]

My TT was probably the most fuel efficient car I've owned.

[dougc]

If you drive like an old lady on a long run you might just about eek out 35mpg. Around town I get about 25mpg across a tank.

One particularly memorable 20 mile run in France this year saw a little over 12

[dougc]

Also:

Squeeky ARBs are common. Can be fixed fairly cheaply or upgraded to stop the problem re-occuring

Some cars had problems with the instrument binnacle giving odd readings. Lots were fixed under warranty but if they haven't been done and go wrong, it can be costly. There is some arguament in Audi circles about dealers honouring the warraty fix. Have a look on the TT owners forun for more detail

Its not uncommon for the windows not to drop properly when the doors are opened. This can be solved by a electrical tune up

Kerbed wheels - its easy to do, especially the 6 spoke type so don't be suprised if most you see have been knocked.

Really early cars were recalled for fitting ESP and a rear spolier after a number of car/scenery interfaces. Its really rare to see a car without a spoiler but you do still spot them from time to time. It could be an indicator that the recall and upgrade wasn't done.

CAMBELT!!! Every 60k. Essential. See invoices or don't truct that its been done as Audi quoted 80k

Or have a look here
http://www.tt-forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&...

[H_Kan]

I'm not too fussed about long runs or hooning, because I don't do either that often so will deal with the mpg in these cases what ever it is.

It's just that the commute is slow and tbh the Astra even is too quick for it, a 1ltr stbox could easily keep up! So whilst the TT is a nice place to sit, the performance won't be used every day and thus I can't stomach rubbish mpg around town.

Around 25mpg would be ok though- if that is attainable.

[Gav147]

If your just steadily plodding along on the daily commute you should get 25 out of it.

[H_Kan]

Thanks DougC, that link is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for!

[Gren]

Had a 225 for 7 years and almost 80k miles. Over that time I averaged just under 30mpg, mid 20s if it was commuting mid 30s if you kept it vaguely within the limit on a motorway.

Over that time I had a couple of coil packs go, coolant sensor, indicator relay, both arbs (sleeves cracked on both), cracked back spring and radiator fan. I also think the dash pod was on the way out when I part ex'd it. Most of that happened over about 60k miles as things started to wear. I always got the feeling that the engine was bulletproof but the suspension etc took a right hammering.

[H_Kan]

Gren, I think the cars I am considering are going to be around the 60-80k mark mileage wise.

Re the dash pod, I am aware those can be dodgy but with any luck I hope to find a car which had it changed under warranty.

On the other points, if you don't mind, could you give me a rough idea as to how much they cost to put right?

[Gren]

Relay and temp sensor - £70 each at the dealer

arbs - around £200 each (fitted) by independent. 4Rings, a mobile Audi specialist that runs out of Dartford area

Spring (actually replaced both) and fan - got done together and I think was £400 the lot fitted by independent

Costs are approximated as the most recent was nearly 2 years ago now.

Edited by Gren on Monday 27th December 15:53

[Happy Eater]

also be aware the headlights can be very very expensive to replace, if a ballast or ignighter goes. around £600 - £900

[charlesTT]

I'vd had mine for 4 years now and it's a 03 225 all i've had to spend money on is indicator relay £20 brake pedal switch £10 thermostat and sender £40 and front bushes £30 plus fitting.

[charlesTT]

O and a battery but that lasted 5 years so not too bad.


More info can be found here:

http://mk1tt.com/index.php

[AudiSport]

I owned a 2001 225 Roaster Quattro for about 6-months. The mileage was low (around 65k) and it hadn't had many owners. I actually bought the car from a garage, however the previous hasn't looked after the car so it ended up spending lots of money putting it right.. The temp sensor needed replacing, along with the main fans that cool the engine, two springs were snapped, one front and one rear so had to replace the lot. Needed new tyres and a four wheel alignment, then a service and cambelt.. Over £1,000 later I still had a leaky roof and squeaky arb's... So I sold the car.

On paper there is no reason why this VAG car should go wrong so often, however after spending 6-months owning one and on TT-forums I can confirm that they are costly to maintain! Spend some time on tt-forum, you will see nothing but people with problems..

Of course there are good ones out there, just make sure you don't buy a bad one like I did!

[MrWhale]

I had my 2001 TTC 225 18 months, I had to do the ARBs and new clutch dmf after It was mapped (covered by dealer warranty! )

[y282]

is there much difference in economy between the 225 and the 180 in real driving terms? mate at work is looking into getting one but doesn't know much about them and has asked me to look into it. he's interested in a fwd one and wants the most economical version he can get.

[DickSkruttock]

y282 said:

is there much difference in economy between the 225 and the 180 in real driving terms? mate at work is looking into getting one but doesn't know much about them and has asked me to look into it. he's interested in a fwd one and wants the most economical version he can get.

Not the same car, but I've had several Golf 1.8T 150s and they are about 10% more economical than my S3 210BHP. Would have thought the difference would be smaller between the 180 and 225 TT - only guessing though.

Has your mate looked at the FWD 150BHP version?

Edited by DickSkruttock on Thursday 13th January 12:47

[y282]

DickSkruttock said:

y282 said:

is there much difference in economy between the 225 and the 180 in real driving terms? mate at work is looking into getting one but doesn't know much about them and has asked me to look into it. he's interested in a fwd one and wants the most economical version he can get.

Not the same car, but I've had several Golf 1.8T 150s and they are about 10% more economical than my S3 210BHP. Would have thought the difference would be smaller between the 180 and 225 TT - only guessing though.

Has your mate looked at the FWD 150BHP version?

Edited by DickSkruttock on Thursday 13th January 12:47

didn't know there was one! i hadn't seen any advertised so assumed the 180 was the lowest power UK model.

he's going from a ratty old 1.4 polo to this, likes the style of the car and isn't mad on performance, he just wants something newer and nicer.

[H_Kan]

There is a 150bhp one, but purchase price will be more because I believe that they were bought out later in the cycle thus will be newer then some 180's.

If he's not the type to cane it, then I'd imagine a fwd 180 won't be much worse then a 150.