Mk2 TT 3.2 - pros & cons

[parabolica]

Considering a change and the V6 TT appeals. Would be in coupe form and manual but don’t know much more about them right now. Would be my second car so practicality not a huge concern - just looking for something that’s decent to blast around the Scottish backroads in and is a worthy step up from my Z4.

Any owners/previous owners with feedback on maintenance, running costs etc?

[Trevor555]

The manual ones are quite rare.

I haven't owned one, but I've driven a few.

I love the instant response when you press the throttle, no waiting for a turbo to spool up.

That's missing in a lot of modern cars.

Sorry I'm not much help with the technical stuff, I'll leave that to the people who've owned them.

But keeps us updated as you go along.

I like TT's

[parabolica]

Yeah I read in a few places the manuals were rare but when I was looking at autotrader/PH etc this weekend there seemed to be quite a few available.

Got a few other forums and posts searched out so going to do some research this week.

[nails1979]

I had one for a year so, in DSG form though. It never felt 'fast but the speedo climbed well and was relentless through the gears.
It handled OK and seemed built OK, although I bought it thinking I could squeeze my 2 kids in the back but either their seats fitted in, or they did, but not together. Seriously small in the back.
I sold it through a friend to a mate from his work and she had it a while and took a massive bath how they dropped in price after another 2 years. Some drain tubes got blocked while they had it and it flooded inside. Buckets of water removed and still some how worked afterwards.
I replaced it with a mk5gti which felt a lot faster, was better on fuel and road tax, but obvs didn't look as nice

[zsdom]

The manuals are in over £500 a year to tax, that & the thought of DMF & clutch change costs are what veered me towards a DSG.

I love mine though its so much better than what I’ve owned before, common problems to look out for are windows regs, rear bulbs blowing but now actually blowing, tempremental spoilers & if you look at a Bose sound systemed car the amps can pooh themselves resulting in some speakers not working or no sound at all which is around £180 to fix.

Running costs wise they’re not too bad on fuel, its only slightly worse than my old Focus ST170, I’ve just had 4 new PS4s all round which cost £425 & it needs a service

If its a weekend/second car, factor in the cost of an exhaust to give it a bit of noise

Edited by zsdom on Monday 19th April 17:34

[Clifford Chambers]

Trevor555 said:

I love the instant response when you press the throttle, no waiting for a turbo to spool up.

That's missing in a lot of modern cars.

How many 21st C turbos have you driven?

[parabolica]

zsdom said:

The manuals are in over £500 a year to tax, that & the thought of DMF & clutch change costs are what veered me towards a DSG.

I love mine though its so much better than what I’ve owned before, common problems to look out for are windows regs, rear bulbs blowing but now actually blowing, tempremental spoilers & if you look at a Bose sound systemed car the amps can pooh themselves resulting in some speakers not working or no sound at all which is around £180 to fix.

Running costs wise they’re not too bad on fuel, its only slightly worse than my old Focus ST170, I’ve just had 4 new PS4s all round which cost £425 & it needs a service

If its a weekend/second car, factor in the cost of an exhaust to give it a bit of noise

Edited by zsdom on Monday 19th April 17:34

Good advice, thanks. I've had 2x 6 series with auto boxes and then my Z4 has the SMG box, which has been perfectly fine but was hoping to get back a proper manual again. Not too bothered by tax but worth remembering - I hadn't clocked it would be up at that £500 level; but that's not a million miles away from what I pay right now so no biggie there. Maintenance sounds no worse than on my Z4 tbh!

[Trevor555]

Clifford Chambers said:

Trevor555 said:

I love the instant response when you press the throttle, no waiting for a turbo to spool up.

That's missing in a lot of modern cars.

How many 21st C turbos have you driven?

Plenty.

Have a drive in a V6 manual TT and you'll see what I mean. Instant shove when you apply the throttle.

The last time I drove one I had a MK3 TTRS of my own, and I've just recently had a GR Yaris.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 19th April 19:52

[parabolica]

Just checked the tax rates between the manual and DSG on the 3.2 - £585 vs £360 looks like I will be considering the DSG after all!

[Clifford Chambers]

Trevor555 said:

Clifford Chambers said:

Trevor555 said:

I love the instant response when you press the throttle, no waiting for a turbo to spool up.

That's missing in a lot of modern cars.

How many 21st C turbos have you driven?

Plenty.

Have a drive in a V6 manual TT and you'll see what I mean. Instant shove when you apply the throttle.

The last time I drove one I had a MK3 TTRS of my own, and I've just recently had a GR Yaris.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 19th April 19:52

Audi 4 cyl turbo engines aren't laggy, to access the power you need to carry a few revs, just like the 3.2.

FWIW I like the 3.2 good smooth progressive power delivery. And I'd be pairing it with the Stronic too.

[Sticks.]

I had a DSG 3.2 TT for 8 years as my DD alongside my E85 3.0 Z4. It's a nice enough car, as others have said, with a fantastic noise. It's fine to drive, feels planted, a bit soft, but for the pleasure of driving I'd opt for the Z4.