Mk1 Audi TT 225 - My first enthusiast car.
Discussion
Hello!
Welcome to my first ever post on here and my first ever enthusiast car!
Back in October, when my car insurance dropped significantly, I knew I could finally insure something a bit more spicy without paying through the nose AND out my backside for it.
In the interest of keeping my posts a succinct length where possible, I'll explain my reasons for my choice in a lot more detail in subsequent posts.
However, around about this time, I absolutely fell in love with the first generation Audi TT.
It had never won the hearts of the motoring press; often derided as a golf with a lovely outfit on. Which is probably why I hadn't paid much attention to it until recently.
Nevertheless, I realised I adored the way it looks and it apparently drove brilliantly. The internet and the enthusiast VAG scene concluded that, despite the odd problem, it was an absolutely brilliant car.
I knew it would scratch my "sporty car" itch and thus I started my hunt.
It took a long time due to an ill combination of work commitments, a silly insistence on trying to find a Merlin Purple one and of course, that belligerent disease that has plagued our lives over the past year and a bit.
Finally though, last Tuesday, thanks to the great guys at TT Spares in Crewe, who I'd thoroughly recommend, I picked up this beauty!
So he/she/it (not decided on an name) is a facelift MK1 Audi TT with the 1.8T BAM 225 engine. It's obviously a coupe and is Moro Blue with Ivory Interior.
It has done 120k miles and has a full service history. A fully stamped book with tons of invoices. Tbh, the service history is outstanding and is definitely the chief reason why I've gone for this particular example. It showcases countless pieces of work, including a new gearbox with clutch and two instances of cam belt and water pump changes.
Save for a new headunit and reversing camera, the car is completely stock.
The bodywork is straight, the wheels are immaculate considering, the engine has no codes and it is driving fantastically.
The body has the odd scratch and mark, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a car that has been out on the open road for so many years.
It also has an oil leak as noted in the MOT. It is quoted as being "not excessive' which I agree with. Its deffo damp in places, but its not wet everywhere. Ive checked the oil level more than once and its not really changed so I think its a bit of seepage from a gasket somewhere. More investigation needed. And degreaser lol.
It also has the problem with the instrument cluster LCD screen that is seemingly ubiquitous on these
Fortunately, the rest of the instrument cluster works just fine, which I've learnt is not always a given on these.
Overall, my first week with the car has been wonderful. I couldn't be happier. I'm loving the TT as a car in general and I seem to, touch wood, have found a solid example. It's nice to find one that has been used, but not abused.
Im hoping to document my time with the TT on here so stay tuned for more if you interested.
I will get better pictures of it, just been busy in general and also busy driving it!
Welcome to my first ever post on here and my first ever enthusiast car!
Back in October, when my car insurance dropped significantly, I knew I could finally insure something a bit more spicy without paying through the nose AND out my backside for it.
In the interest of keeping my posts a succinct length where possible, I'll explain my reasons for my choice in a lot more detail in subsequent posts.
However, around about this time, I absolutely fell in love with the first generation Audi TT.
It had never won the hearts of the motoring press; often derided as a golf with a lovely outfit on. Which is probably why I hadn't paid much attention to it until recently.
Nevertheless, I realised I adored the way it looks and it apparently drove brilliantly. The internet and the enthusiast VAG scene concluded that, despite the odd problem, it was an absolutely brilliant car.
I knew it would scratch my "sporty car" itch and thus I started my hunt.
It took a long time due to an ill combination of work commitments, a silly insistence on trying to find a Merlin Purple one and of course, that belligerent disease that has plagued our lives over the past year and a bit.
Finally though, last Tuesday, thanks to the great guys at TT Spares in Crewe, who I'd thoroughly recommend, I picked up this beauty!
So he/she/it (not decided on an name) is a facelift MK1 Audi TT with the 1.8T BAM 225 engine. It's obviously a coupe and is Moro Blue with Ivory Interior.
It has done 120k miles and has a full service history. A fully stamped book with tons of invoices. Tbh, the service history is outstanding and is definitely the chief reason why I've gone for this particular example. It showcases countless pieces of work, including a new gearbox with clutch and two instances of cam belt and water pump changes.
Save for a new headunit and reversing camera, the car is completely stock.
The bodywork is straight, the wheels are immaculate considering, the engine has no codes and it is driving fantastically.
The body has the odd scratch and mark, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a car that has been out on the open road for so many years.
It also has an oil leak as noted in the MOT. It is quoted as being "not excessive' which I agree with. Its deffo damp in places, but its not wet everywhere. Ive checked the oil level more than once and its not really changed so I think its a bit of seepage from a gasket somewhere. More investigation needed. And degreaser lol.
It also has the problem with the instrument cluster LCD screen that is seemingly ubiquitous on these
Fortunately, the rest of the instrument cluster works just fine, which I've learnt is not always a given on these.
Overall, my first week with the car has been wonderful. I couldn't be happier. I'm loving the TT as a car in general and I seem to, touch wood, have found a solid example. It's nice to find one that has been used, but not abused.
Im hoping to document my time with the TT on here so stay tuned for more if you interested.
I will get better pictures of it, just been busy in general and also busy driving it!
Great little cars. Had my 225 remapped to 280 and really went well.
You can get the lcd repaired by these guys for not much money
http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/content.aspx?content=a...
Enjoy the car, looks nice.
You can get the lcd repaired by these guys for not much money
http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/content.aspx?content=a...
Enjoy the car, looks nice.
Nice car, good purchase!
I've a 2005 3.2 coupe. It too needs the dashpod looking at - I've both the DIS and fuel gauge issue.
Ref MK2 mentioned above, they too are nice cars but I don't think they'll age as well as there were more factory options for them not to have been specced with.
Would like to go to a TT meet/drive one day.
I've a 2005 3.2 coupe. It too needs the dashpod looking at - I've both the DIS and fuel gauge issue.
Ref MK2 mentioned above, they too are nice cars but I don't think they'll age as well as there were more factory options for them not to have been specced with.
Would like to go to a TT meet/drive one day.
5s Alive said:
There's a chap on Detailing World with a long running 2006 TT225 thread. Whatever you're likely to need to do he's probably detailed (sorry) whats involved. Showroom/Projects thread IIRC. 
Haha no worries thanks for letting me know. Their thread will doubtless help me with stuff. This thread will be a mixture of stuff I do to the car and with it also. Got Goodwood, Caffeine and Machine, Audis in the Park etc planned for it.MightyBadger said:
Great little cars. Had my 225 remapped to 280 and really went well.
You can get the lcd repaired by these guys for not much money
http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/content.aspx?content=a...
Enjoy the car, looks nice.
Dayum. With 280 it must've really flown! Did it take well to the remap? Any problems related to that afterwards?You can get the lcd repaired by these guys for not much money
http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/content.aspx?content=a...
Enjoy the car, looks nice.
Thanks for that link!
I had a number of TTs over the years, the MK1 is a design classic. You’ll get all the info and help you need over on the TT Forum https://www.ttforum.co.uk/forum/index.php
TTOBES said:
Nice car, good purchase!
I've a 2005 3.2 coupe. It too needs the dashpod looking at - I've both the DIS and fuel gauge issue.
Ref MK2 mentioned above, they too are nice cars but I don't think they'll age as well as there were more factory options for them not to have been specced with.
Would like to go to a TT meet/drive one day.
I bet the V6 is lovely! I'd love to meet some fellow TT owners. Hoping to meet some on here and on the TT Owners Club too. I deffo need to spend some time with the MK2/ 8J but I think you are right. Lots more options and trim levels to omit and leave it lacking. I think all MK1s look great. From 150 all the way to the Quattro Sport. I've a 2005 3.2 coupe. It too needs the dashpod looking at - I've both the DIS and fuel gauge issue.
Ref MK2 mentioned above, they too are nice cars but I don't think they'll age as well as there were more factory options for them not to have been specced with.
Would like to go to a TT meet/drive one day.
With the MK2, the base spec ones look good still, but still inferior to the better specced siblings. S line made a colossal difference. Another example of a manufacturer designing their cars around the trim levels to make the higher levels much more desirable. S line, M sport etc.
Ructions said:
I had a number of TTs over the years, the MK1 is a design classic. You’ll get all the info and help you need over on the TT Forum https://www.ttforum.co.uk/forum/index.php
Big fan then! Any favourite in particular? Did you have a V6 and or a 225 in your time? Ahh yes, that forum is definitely something I need to join, make use of and hopefully help others a bit too!I had a number of 225s both Coupe and Roadster, I didn’t like the 3.2, too heavy and thirsty for what it was, though I did have the 3.2 rear spoiler on most of my cars.
The 225 is very tuneable and the handling can easily be sorted.
I always loved this ad for the TT https://www.adforum.com/talent/10916-jimi-hendrix/...
The 225 is very tuneable and the handling can easily be sorted.
I always loved this ad for the TT https://www.adforum.com/talent/10916-jimi-hendrix/...
Ructions said:
I had a number of 225s both Coupe and Roadster, I didn’t like the 3.2, too heavy and thirsty for what it was, though I did have the 3.2 rear spoiler on most of my cars.
The 225 is very tuneable and the handling can easily be sorted.
I always loved this ad for the TT https://www.adforum.com/talent/10916-jimi-hendrix/...
What colours did you have for the 225s? How did the convertible drive compared to the coupe? Im not really keen on convertibles but I am intrigued whether or not the roadster wobbles and has scuttle shake?The 225 is very tuneable and the handling can easily be sorted.
I always loved this ad for the TT https://www.adforum.com/talent/10916-jimi-hendrix/...
Ive heard that about the V6. Loves a slurp of fossil juice and is a big lump right in the nose. Id love to give a V6 manual coupe a go for the experience. I do think they sound nice, but I'd be very surprised if I ended up getting one.
Im thinking of getting the V6 honeycomb rear valence for mine. Just a nice little OEM+ mod for the 225 to set it off nicely. Easy as pie to fit too.
That advert is amazing! Thank you for showing me that!
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