TT? Late mk1 or early mk2?

[vx220]

Just some general thoughts from people who have driven both.

Have about £7k and have always liked TTs.

Any thoughts on V6 or 4 cylinders also gratefully received.

I'm looking for something more of an event compared to my existing Golf GTi, for daily use, mostly short journeys

Thanks in advance

[citizen smith]

I have had the pleasure of owning a MK1 225Bhp and MK1 V6 Manual (both 2005 vintage). Both of which were a joy to own.

The V6 is a superb smooth engine that does tend consume a lot of fuel - ave. 25 - 27mpg, where as the 225 is a lot more economical mid 30's. So, I would go for a MK1 225 and have it stage 1 remapped to boost the power to around the 270bhp but that
is dependent on the state of the engine.

Never owned a MK11, but they are a lot bigger.

[RammyMP]

I had a Mk2 and my mate had a Mk1, the Mk2 felt better, but it would, it was newer.

Mine was a 2.0 tfsi and I drove a 3.2 V6 a few times and to be honest the 2.0 felt quicker and more nimble.

I’d have a drive in both and find the best one you can, sorry, not much help! If you’ve got a spare few hours have a scan through ttforum.co.uk.

[stevemcs]

We owned a Mk1 225 Roadster for 9 years and i spent a couple of years buying and selling Mk2's

The Mk2 has the better engine, is more comfortable with more cabin space, the TFSi is a great engine when working, ealry ones are belt driven, later ones chain driven

The Mk1 still looks good, the 1.8T is probably a stronger engine, space is ok

A Mk1 with a 2.0tsfi would be the ideal car. The V6 doesn't seem any faster than the 2.0 and is nose heavy and in mk1 pretty much DSG only.

White coupe S Line Black edition facelifts were the most popular, on the MK2 always check the AC works and that the glovebox hinges are not broken.

Out of the 2 i'd go for a Z4

[TTOBES]

I'm a TT MK1 owner and whilst I like the MK2, the cabin I don't think is ageing as well. In my opinion that's due to things like increased number of available options on the MK2, for example you could have no sat nav, the LCD display sat nav or the DVD based sat nav (colour) and multi-function steering wheel or no functions on the steering wheel etc.

[vx220]

Thanks all, still looking!

[Drive it fix it repeat]

I've no experience of the mk2 unfortunately but so far cant say I'm too impressed with my mk1 TT (225), owned for coupe of months now. 53 plate on 85k. All suspension is alot more rusty than I'd like to see, issues with the 4wd already, either a blown gasket or cracked manifold, power steering leak, oil leak aswell as other things. I didnt buy a cheap one either and from the outside and from the paperwork it is a sorted car. Engine is boring, sounds crap aswell. Goes ok I guess considering its weight but not what id call quick, subjective though of course. Brakes are naff as its single pot calipers, christ knows why. Interior is solid and has stood the test of time very well, rear seats are a joke but we all know that. Perhaps I bought a lemon but in my eyes the mk2 has a pretty low bar to beat.

ETA: forgot to mention that the seatbelts dont retract properly and theres a fault that is sometimes stopping the turbo properly spool up, then 10 seconds later it is fine. Havent investigated that yet as im busy playing whackamole with the other st. Frosch sprung durch technik my arse.

Edited by Drive it fix it repeat on Tuesday 25th August 17:45

[Orangecurry]

vx220 said:

Just some general thoughts from people who have driven both.

Have about £7k and have always liked TTs.

Any thoughts on V6 or 4 cylinders also gratefully received.

I'm looking for something more of an event compared to my existing Golf GTi, for daily use, mostly short journeys

Thanks in advance

Neither are an event. If you don't have many miles to do, why not a 350Z?

[andy97]

Orangecurry said:

Neither are an event. If you don't have many miles to do, why not a 350Z?

If we are recommending alternatives, how about a BMW 125i or 135i Coupe

[vx220]

andy97 said:

Orangecurry said:

Neither are an event. If you don't have many miles to do, why not a 350Z?

If we are recommending alternatives, how about a BMW 125i or 135i Coupe

BMWs are a possible alternative, I would be interested in the 350z, but I need rear seats, apologies for not mentioning it! Only for a Westie, but still...

[Orangecurry]

vx220 said:

.....but I need rear seats, apologies for not mentioning it! Only for a Westie, but still...

now he tells us....

I've just bought a TT roadster 225 as I wanted something (I perceived as) reliable and I like the design. Event it is not. I would have got a 350z but it is too much like my other car. I tried a 3.0 Z4, but it left me cold and has a myriad of possible mechanical issues... same as any older car I guess.

If you want a coupe, then the Z4 might work for you, but do read-up on the possible engine issues. Is there room for a Westie?

Note also that the TTs use the Haldex not the Torsen system, so they are FWD with torque shifted around when the fronts start to slip.

I've had Subarus for the past 22 years as well, and an E30 325 for the past 17, so I'm versed in the black arts of 'driven wheels' and which is why I would suggest that you need to be sure what 'an event' is to you.

How about a vx220?

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 26th August 09:53

[Orangecurry]

vx220 said:

Any thoughts on V6 or 4 cylinders also gratefully received.

I keep forgetting to answer this - in the mk1 the nose is heavier with the V6, more understeer, and they don't have a sport suspension option as the sump is too low?

[chrisr29]

What about an S3 if the same era? Look good with the flared out wings, same engine and 4wd mechanics, loads more room inside.

I’ve had one for a year or so now (swapped a 182 Clio for it). It’s had a remap and some exhaust mods, so goes pretty well and sounds a bit fruitier than norm.

Doesn’t get a huge amount of use but it’s quite good fun to punt around for a bit.

[Orangecurry]

I am fairly sure all TT A1 and A3 platforms use Haldex, not Torsen, so they are not mechanical 4WD, or is that not what you meant?

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 26th August 09:57

[aka_kerrly]

with a Golf GTI daily , the most interesting weekend version of a TT could well be the mk2 3.2VR6.

[chrisr29]

Orangecurry said:

I am fairly sure all TT A1 and A3 platforms use Haldex, not Torsen, so they are not mechanical 4WD, or is that not what you meant?

Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 26th August 09:57

Well, four wheel drive when the conditions dictate it - picky pants 🤨

[Orangecurry]

Yep. Those are my pants.

[vx220]

Had a VX brand new in '03, 34,500 miles in 13 months IIRC. The highest mileage by far on the OC at the time, I went everywhere in it, Nurburgring etc.

Loved it, not sure if I'd even get in it now, and definitely nowhere for the Westie!

[Sticks.]

Re TT, see what comes along and buy on history and condition? Not driven a Mk1 but the Mk2 is easy to live with, a bit soft, the V6 is great but thirsty and an eye watering VED rate.