Audi TT (225) or BMW 330 (E46)
Discussion
I'm selling my daily drive and I was planning on replacing it with a BMW 330, however I saw a nice looking Audi TT the other day and now im not sure which one I prefer. I looked at an Audi TT before but I wasn't overly impressed with the quality of the interior. I have only driven the BMW so I can't compare it with the Audi and my O/H thinks the BMW would be the better purchase.
Can anyone give me the pro's and con's of owning both cars?
Can anyone give me the pro's and con's of owning both cars?
I'm assuming it is the mk1 TT, as this would be the natural competitor in terms of price point compared to the E46.
This is the exact same decision I faced a couple of months ago, 330ci sport or TT 225?
I ended up going for a Beemer for a number of reasons, the key ones being:
-I think the E46 is better looking,
-it can seat 4 in comfort (though getting in or out of the coupe is a pain),
-the 3.0 straight six is arguably a better engine then the 1.8t (chain driven versus belt and also considered one of the best non M engines that BMW have ever made),
-from what I read, the TT was a pretty sterile drive, whereas the e46 chassis inspires confidence and is pretty fun to hustle,
-better image, though this wasn't a major factor.
However, the TT also had some plus points which made the decision quite a difficult one, it was cheaper to buy and insure, interior was very nice and 225bhp isn't far of the Beemers power and they usually come with a few more toys such as heated seats.
This is the exact same decision I faced a couple of months ago, 330ci sport or TT 225?
I ended up going for a Beemer for a number of reasons, the key ones being:
-I think the E46 is better looking,
-it can seat 4 in comfort (though getting in or out of the coupe is a pain),
-the 3.0 straight six is arguably a better engine then the 1.8t (chain driven versus belt and also considered one of the best non M engines that BMW have ever made),
-from what I read, the TT was a pretty sterile drive, whereas the e46 chassis inspires confidence and is pretty fun to hustle,
-better image, though this wasn't a major factor.
However, the TT also had some plus points which made the decision quite a difficult one, it was cheaper to buy and insure, interior was very nice and 225bhp isn't far of the Beemers power and they usually come with a few more toys such as heated seats.
Yes the Mk1 TT. I don't ever use the back seats so thats not an issue. I have checked insurance on both of them and it's similar so thats not a deciding factor either.
I have read a few more reviews and alot of them mention that the 330 is better to drive, I think I will go and take a look at some more this weekend.
I have read a few more reviews and alot of them mention that the 330 is better to drive, I think I will go and take a look at some more this weekend.
Seems like quite a few people are thinking about this at the moment - quite a few similar threads on here. Check this one out:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a... to a fun daily driver 330Ci vs Audi TT 225 vs 350Z
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a... to a fun daily driver 330Ci vs Audi TT 225 vs 350Z
kit_kat said:
Yes the Mk1 TT. I don't ever use the back seats so thats not an issue. I have checked insurance on both of them and it's similar so thats not a deciding factor either.
I have read a few more reviews and alot of them mention that the 330 is better to drive, I think I will go and take a look at some more this weekend.
So why not get a 2 seater then?I have read a few more reviews and alot of them mention that the 330 is better to drive, I think I will go and take a look at some more this weekend.
Late Z3, Z4, Z4C, S2000, 350z maybe even a TVR Chim if you aren't doing huge distances.
The father in law has just swapped from an E46 330i to a 225 TT as the BMW scared him in the winter. Haaving driven both I found the TT uninvolving but to be fair to it, it cornered like it was on rails and had very impressive brakes!
I would go for the 330i though, its much more a drivers car than the Audi (the FIL has also said he regets changing now!)
I would go for the 330i though, its much more a drivers car than the Audi (the FIL has also said he regets changing now!)
I hate to say it, but the mk1 TT is actually a surprisingly decent car. I've owned mine for a year now (well it's the OH's but I drive it most) and unlike the mk4 GTI it replaced (which I loathed to the point of wishing somebody would steal it), the TT is generally quite likeable in almost every area.
It's quik(ish); is better built than any BMW I've ever owned; looks good; has a lovely interior; has better seats than any BMW I've ever owned and despite its 82k miles and advancing years, it's been utterly reliable. It's also amazingly practical for a 'sports car'.
True it sounds like a dyson and isn't very inspiring to drive - uneven B-roads are a particular problem for it, but it does turn-in sharply and grips harder than s
t to blanket. The 4WD was also a massive boon in the winter (the M5 was nothing but street furniture last December); not to mention hilarious fun in the white stuff.
I've had my perceptions completely altered by it tbh. Naturally I'd still pick something from the BMW or Porsche stable if thrills were the order of the day, but as a car to live with, it's great.
It's quik(ish); is better built than any BMW I've ever owned; looks good; has a lovely interior; has better seats than any BMW I've ever owned and despite its 82k miles and advancing years, it's been utterly reliable. It's also amazingly practical for a 'sports car'.
True it sounds like a dyson and isn't very inspiring to drive - uneven B-roads are a particular problem for it, but it does turn-in sharply and grips harder than s
t to blanket. The 4WD was also a massive boon in the winter (the M5 was nothing but street furniture last December); not to mention hilarious fun in the white stuff.I've had my perceptions completely altered by it tbh. Naturally I'd still pick something from the BMW or Porsche stable if thrills were the order of the day, but as a car to live with, it's great.
These are two of the cars I am considering, and its definitely a case of drive both and see what you think.
Like most VAG cars the steering is very light and you don't get much feed back, but it is a quick and very capable car and they do handle pretty well, though because of the steering issue you never truly get a feel for its limits and it won't be as entertaining as some cars. Also they benefit greatly from a remap and few suspension mods if that's your thing
The 330 are extremely popular for a good reason, but I am still a little unsold. Only driven a 325 saloon and found like quite barge like and wasn't particularly impressed, though been out in a friends 330d and it definitely went well especially for a diesel
Can't really comment on the image of the two cars because I actually see more e46's around, though more often that not they are the smaller engined variant and they also seem to become the choice of "chavs". TT's seem to have a poser image attached by the Clarkson sycophants who have never even driven them
Like most VAG cars the steering is very light and you don't get much feed back, but it is a quick and very capable car and they do handle pretty well, though because of the steering issue you never truly get a feel for its limits and it won't be as entertaining as some cars. Also they benefit greatly from a remap and few suspension mods if that's your thing
The 330 are extremely popular for a good reason, but I am still a little unsold. Only driven a 325 saloon and found like quite barge like and wasn't particularly impressed, though been out in a friends 330d and it definitely went well especially for a diesel
Can't really comment on the image of the two cars because I actually see more e46's around, though more often that not they are the smaller engined variant and they also seem to become the choice of "chavs". TT's seem to have a poser image attached by the Clarkson sycophants who have never even driven them
300bhp/ton said:
So why not get a 2 seater then?
Late Z3, Z4, Z4C, S2000, 350z maybe even a TVR Chim if you aren't doing huge distances.
I would LOVE a Z4C but they are out of my price range and I really like the Z4 but a decent one of those is also out of my price range. I have looked at the Z3 but I'm not to keen on the back end of it and if I bought one I would always moan that it wasn't the Z4.Late Z3, Z4, Z4C, S2000, 350z maybe even a TVR Chim if you aren't doing huge distances.
I have done insurance quotes on all the above cars and the S2000 came back at £2,500! I can insure the 330 for £450.
I think I knocked the 350z off the list due to the thirsty engine.
As for the TVR I haven't looked at them, I am slightly worried about the engine rebuilds around 21k, I would have one as a weekend toy but I need it to commute every day.
Ive had both.
Both bottom budget TT 225 £5k, 330ci M Sport£3.5k
Absolutely loved them for different reasons
TT is a bit more stylish and gets more comments from people who dont know much about cars. A few of my girl mates think my 330ci is chavey
Speed is about the same, TT abit quicker as it was manual
TT slightly better on fuel
Ive put 8,000 miles on my 330 since march, its in a different league on the motorway than the TT
I also dont think the build quality is as good as people would have believe on the TT, just little things like quality of the engine cover plastic and the like, its just a bit flimsy.
BOSE stereo was pure class, and interior was nice to look at.
BMW feels more positive and has more feel, but more body roll.
Id prefer the BMW I think, but watch the suspension and cooling systems as they seem to be weak points
Both bottom budget TT 225 £5k, 330ci M Sport£3.5k
Absolutely loved them for different reasons
TT is a bit more stylish and gets more comments from people who dont know much about cars. A few of my girl mates think my 330ci is chavey
Speed is about the same, TT abit quicker as it was manual
TT slightly better on fuel
Ive put 8,000 miles on my 330 since march, its in a different league on the motorway than the TT
I also dont think the build quality is as good as people would have believe on the TT, just little things like quality of the engine cover plastic and the like, its just a bit flimsy.
BOSE stereo was pure class, and interior was nice to look at.
BMW feels more positive and has more feel, but more body roll.
Id prefer the BMW I think, but watch the suspension and cooling systems as they seem to be weak points
Another vote for the 330ci.
Quicker, nicer to drive, practical, v cheap to run.
I've had mine for 4yrs/70k miles and still love it, nothing has gone wrong.
I had a drive of a friend's mk1 225 TT and found it cramped and crashy in comparison.
the 330 also has pretty hefty brakes (325mm) with cooling ducts. I like nice touches like this.
Quicker, nicer to drive, practical, v cheap to run.
I've had mine for 4yrs/70k miles and still love it, nothing has gone wrong.
I had a drive of a friend's mk1 225 TT and found it cramped and crashy in comparison.
the 330 also has pretty hefty brakes (325mm) with cooling ducts. I like nice touches like this.
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