Mk1 Audi TT 225 - My first enthusiast car.

[CBurb]

martin mrt said:

That looks a cracking example you have there.

I think these have came through the long in the tooth mid life stage well and values will only go one way now.

Original unmolested ones are getting harder to find it seems.

Thank you!

I deffo agree. Looking at the classifieds can be quite a sorry sight for these things. So many have been neglected and/or messed about with.

[CBurb]

bangerhoarder said:

I tend to jump in on TT thread as I like the cars - on my second 225 which I bought on a whim while I still owned the first. Punted number 1 on as it was a bit of a hound.

I’m a big fan. They’re not that ‘fun’ to drive (I have a Puma for that) but capable, fast (when remapped) great grip, and fairly simple mechanically. The list of issues they can suffer from is well documented and long, but oil sludging is the most critical. That should be checked as soon as possible after purchase.

Keep an eye on the vacuum, PCV and boost pipework. I once lost brake assistance due to this cracking on the servo feed (slight browning occurred). The wastegate and diverter valve control valves are also prone to dying, reducing performance. Stripping this equipment off the car is popular but I wouldn’t recommend it.

I haven’t done every job on mine (garage did the cam belt and the oil pump) but I know my way around a fair bit of them.

Thanks for your message and the advise it contains! In my research of the TT in general, I did look up some of their foibles. It is a somewhat long list but documented as you say. Since it is fairly simply mechanically, most of it isn't too daunting.

Im going to be changing the oil soon. However, as I do so, Im going to take the sump off, change the pickup pipe and give the sump a cleanup too.

I will also be having a good look in the engine bay and underneath soon; definitely looking out for hose problems. There is definitely a big silicone hose market for these for a reason...

[CBurb]

Court_S said:

How was the traffic around the farm shop? It’s been pretty bad from what I can gather.

I have family in Chipping Norton so a trip there is very much on the cards.

The traffic was non-existent when I went since I arrived when the farm shop was closed. Only the bar was open. I did notice the car park is literally 10 times bigger than it was last time I visited so hopefully that should ease the traffic problems. I imagine people are flocking there off the back of the rather brilliant Clarkson's Farm program.

[CBurb]

Jandywa said:

Superb cars. I had a TT Quattro Sport for nearly 6 years and absolutely loved it. It was bulletproof, and always felt quicker than it’s horsepower suggested (mine was standard). And the grip. Sweet Jesus the grip. Until it understeered of course.
Keep on top of the maintenance and it won’t put a foot wrong. Awesome bits of kit

Dayum a Quattro Sport! That is the holy grail of MK1 TTs in my opinion! Such tasteful sharpening of the TT. Will deffo keep on top of the maintenance. Got some bits ready to put on very soon.

[CBurb]

Ructions said:

The QS is the sweet spot of the MK1 range, those seats are fantastic, though I reckon they would be a little snug these days. Over 10K for a good one and as they are becoming rarer the price will only go one way.

I love the seats too! A Quattro Sport would've been amazing for me, but simply too much for me. Price sadly going only one way as you say.

[CBurb]

cadmunkey said:

Loved my Mk1 TT, still one of my favourite cars I ever owned. Hated the Mk2 so never bought one when they launched. Enjoy your new car, looks in decent nick. I always wonder what happened to mine

Nice to hear yet another positive recount of a TT. Im loving mine so far!

[CBurb]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've loved these ever since they first came out(well apart from being a rear passenger in one on the way to the RAC Rally in Wales years ago!). Agree with others and they still look great both inside and out.

Enjoy yours.

Oh gosh, being a rear passenger in one of these is not the best way to enjoy them! Definitely still look great inside and out. The brilliance of the design is especially apparent when you compare them to other cars of the period.

[CBurb]

geraintthomas said:

Another AutoFinesse user over here, spotted the buckets from a mile off!

Beautiful car, hope you have many smiles and miles in it.

Yes! Autofinesse user here! I have used various products for car cleaning, but Autofinesse always delivers. Great products!

[CBurb]

Drive it fix it repeat said:

I bought one about a year ago, checked everything I could before I bought it, test drive etc. Seemed like I had found a good one…. for about 3 weeks. After that everything that could go wrong has basically. It is currently sat at the end of my road where it has been since Christmas as I am sick of the sight of it. Hopefully yours is better behaved but it has put me right off them at the moment.

Sorry to hear about your one man. Any hope of it being back on the road?

[cerb4.5lee]

CBurb said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've loved these ever since they first came out(well apart from being a rear passenger in one on the way to the RAC Rally in Wales years ago!). Agree with others and they still look great both inside and out.

Enjoy yours.

Oh gosh, being a rear passenger in one of these is not the best way to enjoy them! Definitely still look great inside and out. The brilliance of the design is especially apparent when you compare them to other cars of the period.

I'm only small at 5'8" but it wasn't all the comfortable as you can imagine! I did really enjoy driving it though as well when I was given the chance. They are a lovely car for sure.

[bangerhoarder]

While a QS is cool, it’s one of those models that’s attainable to emulate with a standard model. Rear seat delete, remap, rear valance insert (I have acquired one from a QS somehow - it’s the same but painted!) and you’ve got most of the upgrades for a fraction of the cost.

The seats - you’d still be better off if you went and bought a new pair of Pole Positions.

The QS is more collectible of course, but I’d be more wary of really using it. The 8N TT is a bit like an S14 Silvia/200SX used to be - best when modded - and cheap enough to do so.

[PT1984]

CBurb said:

Thanks for your message and the advise it contains! In my research of the TT in general, I did look up some of their foibles. It is a somewhat long list but documented as you say. Since it is fairly simply mechanically, most of it isn't too daunting.

Im going to be changing the oil soon. However, as I do so, Im going to take the sump off, change the pickup pipe and give the sump a cleanup too.

I will also be having a good look in the engine bay and underneath soon; definitely looking out for hose problems. There is definitely a big silicone hose market for these for a reason...

Dropping the sump and cleaning the pick up with some petrol is the best gift you will give this car. You need Dirko to seal the sump up.

I do think you should look at keeping this looking as standard as you can. Stick a new set of plugs and coil packs on it. Less than £100 from Opie Oils for NGK, it will run smother and maybe better MPG. People forget the fuel filter on these so get that done.

I would definitely get a new OE 710n DV. And look at the N249 delete. This worked for me with instant response and no on/off throttle jerky ness.

Also look at the PCV and for general boost leaks. Get in running as it should be.

Upgrade wise. I would fit a Forge TIP with the standard air box , and if you can a bigger downpipe and sport cat. I was amazed at how quick the turbo spooled after. Remap at R-Tech and leave it at that.

[Ructions]

Once you’ve done all of the above, fit a set of R32 anti-roll bars and you are good to go. Keep the standard wheels.

Edited by Ructions on Monday 28th June 19:55

[CBurb]

PT1984 said:

Dropping the sump and cleaning the pick up with some petrol is the best gift you will give this car. You need Dirko to seal the sump up.

I do think you should look at keeping this looking as standard as you can. Stick a new set of plugs and coil packs on it. Less than £100 from Opie Oils for NGK, it will run smother and maybe better MPG. People forget the fuel filter on these so get that done.

I would definitely get a new OE 710n DV. And look at the N249 delete. This worked for me with instant response and no on/off throttle jerky ness.

Also look at the PCV and for general boost leaks. Get in running as it should be.

Upgrade wise. I would fit a Forge TIP with the standard air box , and if you can a bigger downpipe and sport cat. I was amazed at how quick the turbo spooled after. Remap at R-Tech and leave it at that.

Thanks for taking the time out to give your advice and suggestions! I’ll deffo take it all on board. So much to think about with it. In a good way though! I’m very much looking forward to it! Planning it’s first service with me atm. Which will include a sump removal. Pictures and write up will follow. Should be doing that next weekend hopefully

[CBurb]

Ructions said:

Once you’ve done all of the above, fit a set of R32 anti-roll bars and you are good to go. Keep the standard wheels and you are good to go.

Not heard of that one so thank you! Bolts straight on I guess given the platform sharing? Sharpens up the handling noticeably I imagine?

[bangerhoarder]

Mods like the thicker front ARB, and rear adjustable control arms, can really sharpen the handling up. The ARB should reduce the lean and sharpen turn in. Some have also put larger rear ARBs on but this is usually regarded as a mistake as it makes the rear end stiffer and can increase understeer.

It can make a massive difference just freshening up tired old suspension components. Top mounts and bearings, lower wishbone bushes and ball joints, trailing arm body mount bushes, control arm bushes, drop links, and shocks. Most are easy to change, the suspension is quite simple and inspecting them all isn’t hard to do.

[aaron_2000]

I remember in the mid to late 00's that anyone cool in their late 20's with some money had either an Audi TT or an E46 coupe.

[PT1984]

CBurb said:

Thanks for taking the time out to give your advice and suggestions! I’ll deffo take it all on board. So much to think about with it. In a good way though! I’m very much looking forward to it! Planning it’s first service with me atm. Which will include a sump removal. Pictures and write up will follow. Should be doing that next weekend hopefully

No problem. I really regret not getting a Quattro BAM. They are an iconic design. I had the AGU in a mk4 Golf Gti. Then a TFSI in a 8P S3. I loved the Haldex. I don’t care what anyone says about fast Audis being blunt instruments. A set of PS4’s and an alignment sorts the handling. And it never got boring being able to put down every unit of power without a hint of slip in any weather.

I really wouldn’t go OTT with mods. Just renew the old stuff and lightly breath on the rest.

Check out the Audisport forum. It has a wealth of knowledge for the 1.8T engine.

[Drive it fix it repeat]

CBurb said:

Drive it fix it repeat said:

I bought one about a year ago, checked everything I could before I bought it, test drive etc. Seemed like I had found a good one…. for about 3 weeks. After that everything that could go wrong has basically. It is currently sat at the end of my road where it has been since Christmas as I am sick of the sight of it. Hopefully yours is better behaved but it has put me right off them at the moment.

Sorry to hear about your one man. Any hope of it being back on the road?

Yes soon hopefully so I can get it sold. Sure they can be an excellent car and quite tuneable which is why I bought mine but the interest has gone for me.

[CBurb]

So today marks two weeks since getting the car!

It continues to be brilliant! Looking at giving it a big service and doing other maintenance work when I get paid next in July. Spreading out the parts shopping list over the two pay checks.

I've been planning it and definitely taken the advice on this page on board so thank you.

I'll probably do it all in one day/weekend, if all goes to plan.

Also, with a trip through the drive through at McDonalds over the weekend, the car is now officially mine! The drive through christening is the last stage of ownership acquisition in my opinion.



Also, I picked up this key ring.



In my opinion, a car key NEEDS a nice keyring on it.

As soon as I saw this keyring on the Audi website, even long before the TT arrived, I knew that was what it was getting. Such a great one in my opinion. Feels very high quality and quite hefty too for such a small thing.

Also, picked up this gecko air freshener.



The gecko seems to be a bit of an Audi mascot. Not quite sure of its meaning or where that comes from but I think they are cool. Always wanted a gecko but wanted to wait until I had an Audi to get one.

It will live in my car as a little mascot, long after the scent has all diffused away.

Speaking of which, it smells great. I wasn't sure beforehand as there was nothing to indicate the smell on the box. The "touch and smell" thing didn't seem to work.

It smells like a slightly citrus hybrid between a car air freshener and a cologne. Very impressed with it.

Picture from a trip to Milton Keynes. Taking pictures at every opportunity atm.