Discussion
Hello over here on the Audi board 
(I normally reside in the Lotus area of PH)
I did a quick search and couldn't find too much on the topic, so here goes:
I used to own a TT225C and still fully respect it as a fine car in it's own right. I must confess to feeling a little 'disconnected' from a rewarding driving experience during the few months leading up to the moment a lorry slid into it and put paid to that love affair. As much as I liked the car, I didn't for a moment want another one and still wouldn't go back to a Mk1 TT... but now there is the TT2 and I can't stop looking at them or thinking that I want one!
Now, coming from an Elise, a fully involved driving experience doesn't get much better than that, but I'm now asking myself how often I actually get to 'enjoy' that experience? I don't claim to have got anything like close to exploring the capabilities of that car - talent and opportunity rarely present themselves and given that it’s barely 16 months old, there is too much money tied up in it to go flirting with tyre walls on track days. Track Day insurance costs, the 10% excess and not wanting to take a disproportionate risk have really excluded that experience to date. The open road isn't the place to explore its limits and I'm starting to realise that the fun bits are great whilst they are there, but how often is that? (…and that's coming from someone surrounded by B roads in Devon!!!)
Of course I know that comparing an Elise with a TT2 simple isn’t fair as they’re both designed to be very different from the ground up. I’m not really weighing up the differences as I can pretty much guess that with experience of Mk1 TT and the Lotus
So, what’s the word on the TT2? Thoughts on the following please:
Engine – 2.0 or 3.2?
I read that the 2.0 is very capable and perhaps better suited to my locality where the 3.2, despite being a gloriously smooth V6, could feel frustratingly cumbersome?
Also, the 1.8 produced 225bhp but now the 2.0 produces 200ish bhp – what’s going on there then..? I know that capacity and power don’t necessarily reflect each other directly, but what is the train of thought? Slightly less stressed but more efficient perhaps?
Manual or DSG / S-Tronic
I had a 3.2 Mk1 TT with DSG on loan for a few days whilst mine was at the Dealers and I clearly recall the efficiency of the DSG impressing then and the new S-Tronic is what I think I’d lean towards. Any major downfalls there?
Standard, Sports or Magnetic Ride Suspension
Given that I’m used to (and happy with) a much harder set up, I’m guessing that standard would feel way too spongy. Is Sports Suspension a major improvement and the Magnetic Ride being somewhat overkill with potential concerns that no long-term record of its efficiency or reliability has been established as yet?
I have read many reviews that say the TT2 is a big improvement over the original in terms of driver feedback and overall reward. Is that true or over-played? I know that next to an Elise, handling will not be in the same kind of league, but neither do I expect it, or even actually require it to be. Somewhere between the Mk1 TT and the Elise would be nice
What is the feeling on all or any of these points amongst you good people..?
(I normally reside in the Lotus area of PH)I did a quick search and couldn't find too much on the topic, so here goes:
I used to own a TT225C and still fully respect it as a fine car in it's own right. I must confess to feeling a little 'disconnected' from a rewarding driving experience during the few months leading up to the moment a lorry slid into it and put paid to that love affair. As much as I liked the car, I didn't for a moment want another one and still wouldn't go back to a Mk1 TT... but now there is the TT2 and I can't stop looking at them or thinking that I want one!
Now, coming from an Elise, a fully involved driving experience doesn't get much better than that, but I'm now asking myself how often I actually get to 'enjoy' that experience? I don't claim to have got anything like close to exploring the capabilities of that car - talent and opportunity rarely present themselves and given that it’s barely 16 months old, there is too much money tied up in it to go flirting with tyre walls on track days. Track Day insurance costs, the 10% excess and not wanting to take a disproportionate risk have really excluded that experience to date. The open road isn't the place to explore its limits and I'm starting to realise that the fun bits are great whilst they are there, but how often is that? (…and that's coming from someone surrounded by B roads in Devon!!!)
Of course I know that comparing an Elise with a TT2 simple isn’t fair as they’re both designed to be very different from the ground up. I’m not really weighing up the differences as I can pretty much guess that with experience of Mk1 TT and the Lotus
So, what’s the word on the TT2? Thoughts on the following please:
Engine – 2.0 or 3.2?
I read that the 2.0 is very capable and perhaps better suited to my locality where the 3.2, despite being a gloriously smooth V6, could feel frustratingly cumbersome?
Also, the 1.8 produced 225bhp but now the 2.0 produces 200ish bhp – what’s going on there then..? I know that capacity and power don’t necessarily reflect each other directly, but what is the train of thought? Slightly less stressed but more efficient perhaps?
Manual or DSG / S-Tronic
I had a 3.2 Mk1 TT with DSG on loan for a few days whilst mine was at the Dealers and I clearly recall the efficiency of the DSG impressing then and the new S-Tronic is what I think I’d lean towards. Any major downfalls there?
Standard, Sports or Magnetic Ride Suspension
Given that I’m used to (and happy with) a much harder set up, I’m guessing that standard would feel way too spongy. Is Sports Suspension a major improvement and the Magnetic Ride being somewhat overkill with potential concerns that no long-term record of its efficiency or reliability has been established as yet?
I have read many reviews that say the TT2 is a big improvement over the original in terms of driver feedback and overall reward. Is that true or over-played? I know that next to an Elise, handling will not be in the same kind of league, but neither do I expect it, or even actually require it to be. Somewhere between the Mk1 TT and the Elise would be nice
What is the feeling on all or any of these points amongst you good people..?
3.2 Manual, no question.
2.0 is front wheel drive and feels very front end heavy if your going fast, very lacking in driver involvement. I haven't done the course yet, but from looking at the casing and driving the cars the only difference between DSG and S-tronic seems to be the name. But that wont matter cos you'll be getting a manual.
Had a few DSG's failing at 40K miles and quite a lot get really harsh on and off the throttle and pulling away. Can usually be fixed bye doing the basic settings to the ecu, makes it relearn how to change gear.
Magnetic ride is just a new type of adaptive damping, Audi just never had it before so making a bit of fuss about it. It is very good, means you dont have the overly stiff harsh ride you get from sporty Audi all the time, but then I don't know what an Elise rides like, you might not mind.
I would get an A3 3.2 if it were my money, but I do understand people like the shape etc of a proper coupe and the new TT is that. Also the 2.0 Turbo in the S3 makes a lot more power, no idea why thats not available in the TT yet. Perhaps Le Mans specially addition one day.
!!If you buy one from my dealer, I didn't say anything bad about them at all, all of them are great and never go wrong.!!
TT
2.0 is front wheel drive and feels very front end heavy if your going fast, very lacking in driver involvement. I haven't done the course yet, but from looking at the casing and driving the cars the only difference between DSG and S-tronic seems to be the name. But that wont matter cos you'll be getting a manual.
Had a few DSG's failing at 40K miles and quite a lot get really harsh on and off the throttle and pulling away. Can usually be fixed bye doing the basic settings to the ecu, makes it relearn how to change gear.
Magnetic ride is just a new type of adaptive damping, Audi just never had it before so making a bit of fuss about it. It is very good, means you dont have the overly stiff harsh ride you get from sporty Audi all the time, but then I don't know what an Elise rides like, you might not mind.
I would get an A3 3.2 if it were my money, but I do understand people like the shape etc of a proper coupe and the new TT is that. Also the 2.0 Turbo in the S3 makes a lot more power, no idea why thats not available in the TT yet. Perhaps Le Mans specially addition one day.
!!If you buy one from my dealer, I didn't say anything bad about them at all, all of them are great and never go wrong.!!
TT
Tame Technician said:
2.0 is front wheel drive and feels very front end heavy if your going fast, very lacking in driver involvement.
LMFAO, what utter utter tosh!Janitor, if you want some proper answers nip over to www.tt-forum.co.uk
Had a 3.2 S-tronic with mag ride. 3.2 has wonderful soundtrack to it - but feels underpowered. Not heavy, but like it has just woken up and isn't quite there yet.
The s-tronic is good, but you quickly become an oldman driver, slouching in your chair and developing a liking for opera. Go for a manual.
The drive is very good in comparisson to the MK1. Better balance and sharper. The mag ride option is a must if you like twisty stuff and see roundabouts as chicanes.
As for 2 litre turbo being underpowered, I agree. As with 3.2. At least with the 2l turbo you can turn up the blowers. Check out ABT's website if you want a tune up.
Overall, great car. Just concerned that they seem to be evrywhere all of a sudden!
The s-tronic is good, but you quickly become an oldman driver, slouching in your chair and developing a liking for opera. Go for a manual.
The drive is very good in comparisson to the MK1. Better balance and sharper. The mag ride option is a must if you like twisty stuff and see roundabouts as chicanes.
As for 2 litre turbo being underpowered, I agree. As with 3.2. At least with the 2l turbo you can turn up the blowers. Check out ABT's website if you want a tune up.
Overall, great car. Just concerned that they seem to be evrywhere all of a sudden!
Didn't mean to start a fight It is interesting though, of the replies so far, different people say different things and therein lies the 'all down to personal taste' element of car ownership
Just trying to gauge 'general feeling' at the mo, but of course it will probably all come down to tying the variants and seeing what works for me
Ta for all input so far though!
Edit: Cheers Ali
Edited by Janitor on Wednesday 20th June 14:51
We have owned a 2.0 Man since March - standards wheels & suspension.I had it re-mapped & a Milltek cat back fitted when the car was a week old (£895)It now produces around 250bhp & shitloads of torque.
Its a joy to drive & serously quick, the traction control light is busy at times but the cars electronics are so good you wouldnt know.
Test drive one, you will love it.
Its a joy to drive & serously quick, the traction control light is busy at times but the cars electronics are so good you wouldnt know.
Test drive one, you will love it.
Neither car is 'nose heavy', utter rubbish.
MKII was designed around the V6 engine and is well balanced due to the blend of aluminium and steel in it chassis.
DSG manual, depends on how you feel about driving and how in control you like to be.
3.2 slow at 5.7 0-60, its as fast as the S3
3.2 and 20T does feel different because of the way the power is delivered. 20t feels faster ONLY due to the frantic nature of the turbo'd engine. 3.2 is faster is reality, 0-60 on 20t is only 6.6
TC light flashing away is not really a good thing - doesn't happen on the quattro cars.
MKII was designed around the V6 engine and is well balanced due to the blend of aluminium and steel in it chassis.
DSG manual, depends on how you feel about driving and how in control you like to be.
3.2 slow at 5.7 0-60, its as fast as the S3
3.2 and 20T does feel different because of the way the power is delivered. 20t feels faster ONLY due to the frantic nature of the turbo'd engine. 3.2 is faster is reality, 0-60 on 20t is only 6.6
TC light flashing away is not really a good thing - doesn't happen on the quattro cars.
Tame Technician said:
3.2 Manual, no question.
2.0 is front wheel drive and feels very front end heavy if your going fast, very lacking in driver involvement. I haven't done the course yet, but from looking at the casing and driving the cars the only difference between DSG and S-tronic seems to be the name. But that wont matter cos you'll be getting a manual.
Nonsense. 2.0T is amazing, and is my choice. 2.0 is front wheel drive and feels very front end heavy if your going fast, very lacking in driver involvement. I haven't done the course yet, but from looking at the casing and driving the cars the only difference between DSG and S-tronic seems to be the name. But that wont matter cos you'll be getting a manual.
Tame Technician said:
Had a few DSG's failing at 40K miles and quite a lot get really harsh on and off the throttle and pulling away. Can usually be fixed bye doing the basic settings to the ecu, makes it relearn how to change gear.
Nonsense - DSG is better than a trad manual easily. My A3 with DSG is on 80k, and noe problems. None of our technicians have had any issues with faulty DSG. And yes S-tronic is the renamed DSG.Tame Technician said:
Magnetic ride is just a new type of adaptive damping, Audi just never had it before so making a bit of fuss about it. It is very good, means you dont have the overly stiff harsh ride you get from sporty Audi all the time, but then I don't know what an Elise rides like, you might not mind.
Quite a good description actually. Infact this system developed by Delphi is also fitted to the Ferrari F599, so it has a serious pedigree. I would have this on my hypothetical 2.0T S-tronic along with BOSE and Adaptive Xenons.Tame Technician said:
I would get an A3 3.2 if it were my money.
If you want to know about a nose heavy car - try one of these!The TT 3.2 is a good handling car. However on the 3.2 manual the clutch is quite snatchy, and again I believe S-tronic is the way to go here.
However, for pure driver involvement the 2.0T is hard to beat. The S-tronic transmission combined with this engine is awesome, and with more power i.e. a chip, this would be the way to go.
There is a model called TTS to be launched some time in the next 12 months, and this will premier a 2.0T motor with around 300ps, and quattro.
If you can hold on for this, then fine, but try a 2.0T and you will not be dissapointed!
AD.
audiTTman said:
No brainer.......it's gotta be the 3.2 quattro.
The 2 litre is a front wheel drive ladies car, with a Golf engine.
Odd.The 2 litre is a front wheel drive ladies car, with a Golf engine.
The Golf GTi features the 2.0T motor first launched in the Audi A3.
Also the 3.2 was in the Mk. 4 Golf R32 before it was ever in the TT Mk.1, so is it a Golf engine too?
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