MK1 Audi TT Opinions?

I bought a 225 TT, I can't believe it but that was 18 years ago.

I thought they were simply stunning when they came out and looked so ahead of their time, I just had to have one.

I test drove 225 quattro roadster and coupe demonstraters at my local Audi dealership and settled on the coupe as it just felt more solid, obviously in the only colour to have, Aluminium silver.

They had a brand new one in stock that was apparently a cancelled order but it had the 17" 5 spoke (diamond cut) competition alloys on which, although I liked imo didn't look any nicer than the standard 17" 6 spokes that I thought at the time, and still think, really suited the car (like the standard SE 6 spokes suit the A2) but it wasn't a deal breaker until they told me it would cost me an extra £1000 more. I said I wouldn't pay over list and asked if they could include the wheels or put a set of the 6 spokes on, they wouldn't, so I didn't buy it.

Luckily for me I dropped on an as new, unblemished 225 quattro coupe in silver with black leather and with bose, 6 CD and the 6 spokes I slightly preferred. It had done just 4k miles and was 8 months old and used as a third car. Additionally it had a full Eibach Pro-kit fitted (also came with the original like new springs in the Eibach box) along with wheel spacers all round which just made it look the best looking TT on the road, still looking standard but just a fraction lower and wider and simply looked perfect.

I remember buying it driving home feeling like a movie star and the luckiest guy in the world.... very fond memories indeed.

I kept it for 3 1/2 years which at the time was unheard of for me as I used to change cars, like my golf clubs, very frequently indeed.

My only criticism of driving it would be if you needed to pull away a bit quick from stand still, on a roundabout for example, it would feel a bit flat/you would get a bit of lag until the turbo kicked in but that was it.

Other than that it was great and I couldn't fault it but tbh it had only done around 20k when I sold it.

I do agree that a TT on the drive alongside an A2 would look fabulous as they are both a style icon, a very clever design and both ahead of their time and I'm sure many people must have both.

For me no other TT has looked anything close to the original and just like A2 still looks great now.

My advice would be to go for it ?

That's brilliant, thank you. Great post :)

I agree, the original is the style icon: the later cars for just don't do it for me at this time, good as I know they are. Not only that but £1500-2000 gets you into a fairly respectable MK1 if you don't mind some miles (and I don't, if it's been treated right). At that level you're enjoying the whole 'I can't believe I only paid £xxxx for this' thing and everything is a bonus. You can forgive a car an awful lot if it's only a grand or two above being free.

For me the later cars are a whole different matter: I rather like to think the MK1's have come through any image issues (a bit like early Impreza's only a different demographic) and a nice stock one is a modern classic. Go to a MK2 and in my mind you've simply got a used car, albeit a nice one. I get that the chassis on a MK1 is not the last word in dynamic ability but if I really, really wanted that I might as well have kept the 996. For me there's a real appeal in having something on the drive that gives, say, 50-70% of the ownership pleasure of the 911 for 15% of the capital cost and 5% of the worry. One thing's for sure, the Audi will be better built :rolleyes:.

I think there's enough feedback from long term owners here to at least not dismiss one. Far from it, I'd better find one to try ?

Many thanks all :)
 
Anyone lived with one?

When they came out the reviews were very positive but as time went on you heard more and more negatives about them: dull steering, dull brakes, under-whelming driving experience etc. They seem to get 50/50 panned / loved on places like Pistonheads which probably is quite good for there.

Is it all forum talk, with reality being a nicely made and pretty sporting coup that covers the ground well without being too full on?

Wondering about back-to-backing one against my Smart Roadster Coupe. They seem to be dirt cheap now and I can't help but feel they've done their money and can't go much lower.

Does a nice one have a 'special' feel when you get in, or does it just feel like a squashed MK4 Golf? I like the Smart but don't really trust it (well known ECU gremlins), it's a bit light for motorway work and you do feel a bit vulnerable in it. On other hand, it's rare, very cheap to run, really good fun and I love the looks.

I'm aware of the higher tax than Smart, dash display and Haldex servicing requirements (plus the usual 2nd hand car stuff).

This is the Smart (I have a 4/2 as well which is utterly brilliant): B4's, poly's, 40mm drop (these really need this visually), Toyo Proxes, rebuilt engine: almost new everything in fact. The only car I've ever bought in 'done'.

View attachment 63721
ECU is not the problem. Its the SAM, water and sams do not mix
 
ECU is not the problem. Its the SAM, water and sams do not mix

Well yes, I know that, but since the SAM is a smart term, ECU seemed the better shorthand even if technically incorrect for all sorts of reasons. In the same way as I know it's 'smart' and not 'Smart' really, but again we're not on a 'smart' forum.

A sulky SAM still stops the thing from running or changing gears or indicating or whatever else it's decided to play havoc with on that particular day.

And yes, it's suffered water ingress in the past what with the SAM living right under one of the leaky bits and all. My car's been sealed and not had a night out in the rain since I've had it. Still started to play up. I've had the SAM out and stripped, cleaned it (was very grubby in places from previous leaks), checked for dry joints, tin hair and general woes. Put it back in, seems fine so far but trust is fragile. I don't mind tooling around in it locally (Sussex) as can grab the truck and trailer easily enough if it fails. Half way to the boat in Norfolk? Doing a quote in Preston? Not so keen at the moment tbh. This is why it got chucked undercover last autumn and hasn't been out since. Just sat on trickle.
 
Today an Autocar comparison of the Mk1 TT with the Mk3
Autocar Mk1 Vs Mk3
It’s a good read except a bit harsh on the MK2. The MK3 I agree is better than the MK2 but suspect out of the price range (I could be mistaken). I’d like a MK3 but would also like an R8 but ultimately price is a factor that most car journalists don’t seem to take into consideration.
 
I have to say the spec as a driver's car on the MK2 is a world away from the MK1. No wonder they drive better!

Lighter, 50/50 weight distribution, lower seating position, multi-link rear. As you said before Jeetesh, for a good MK1 you're edging into O.K. MK2 territory.

My gut is still MK1 but I probably ought to try both. I should say though, this isn't at all a burning desire, more a gentle interest triggered by this one:


I think it's a bit strong given it's lost its 18" 9 spokes, has had six previous (I'd be owner eight therefore) and so on. We've danced around the houses on price with me suggesting £1500'ish and him pretty much standing his ground. Completed listings suggests there are better deals out there. I really lke the colour, the half leather (not keen on full at all) and it's not a million miles away. And it's pocket money so expectations can be nice and low: just as I like them.

I suspect he's doing a bit of trading though: only had it a month and fairly flimsy story as to why for sale. It's hardly the time to be gallivanting around the South Coast looking at cars either, although fully entitled to under my 'car trader' guise of course.
 
Yeah, half leather looks good and fully agree it better than full on this car. On the MK2 you get unusual stretching of the leather due to the design of the stitching. I had 1/2 leather on my MK2 for that very reason.

7 owners is a big number and I’d only be okay only if there was a huge pile of receipts.

Fully agree on the price you proposed and I’d be sticking to it, I can’t imagine there are many people buying cars right now so holding off will see how desperate he is to sell I’m on board with ‘gentle interest’ too as there will always be another one since they sold in such large numbers.
 
I am always amazed at the chirps regarding handling of cars ,this is most probably something that started with the car guys at shows like top gear, So my opinion regarding the tt ,,,,the handling for the time and even now is most probably ok in fact the 3.2 has huge grip in most bends I would guess close to 1 g , I did find the steering somewhat dead as many older Audi,s were set up to limit torque steer , the only criticism I found the 1.8 lacking refinement compared to the newer engines . However exterior and interior are still pretty darn good . If you could retrofit the newer steering and struts possibly you could transform the dead steering ....not sure ..Al
 
TT. Go find one somewhere and take it for a drive. Do not make any decision at that point. 3 days later think through the experience and if still interested try to find a different spec car to try. Like all instant classics they have their lovers and haters in equal amounts. I have driven all 3 marks and PERSONALLY think the mk3 is the best of the bunch. The mk2 bland and despite the similarities to the A2 the mk1 does not seam to have aged as well. The mk1 like the A2 were ahead of their time when built, but many more modern cars have bettered them. Other plus to the mk1 it did not feel it was a drag queen nor a "hair dressers" car. 2002-2003 cars for some reason are the preferred years to have. Much like A2s they have been through several hands and not all would service them or would botch repairs. Yes as always a case of buyer beware. Larger choice of models when you include coupe and cabriolet versions. GO TRY ONE.
 
Like the A2, the Mk1 is something you either fall for, or wonder what all the fuss is about. You have a Mk1 because you want a Mk1, because it is a Mk1. If you don't have that, then you can critique the Mk1 easily, and compared to many other cars, Mk3 especially (there's, maybe £20K different after all), justifiably. The fact that you're asking means you're halfway there. Good luck. There are lots of good ones, but, good, unmolested ones don't hang about.
Mac.
 
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Thinking about it if Audi had built a mk2 and mk3 A2 where would we be now?

Possibly thinking about buying a matching mk1 TT to complement it ?

Must have full leather heated seats in the TT though and in black only, as for some reason the other colours just seem to wear quicker, well from what I've seen anyway ?

Funnily enough I personally don't like leather seats in an A2 though and much prefer cloth as I find them more comfortable and with a good thorough wet cleaning they come up like new too
 
Possibly thinking about buying a matching mk1 TT to complement it ?

Must have full leather heated seats in the TT though and in black only, as for some reason the other colours just seem to wear quicker, well from what I've seen anyway ?

Funnily enough I personally don't like leather seats in an A2 though and much prefer cloth as I find them more comfortable and with a good thorough wet cleaning they come up like new too

?

I'll also have cloth in the A2 and I'd like half leather in my theoretical TT please. Black also first choice, but I quite like Audi Rich Tea Biscuit as a second choice (don't worry, I'll buy a big bottle of leather dye to keep it looking nice).
 
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This very good, albeit all three cars on a different budget scale altogether (and we're back to the whole 'might as well have kept the 911 thing').

Even so a thoroughly nice way to spend 15mins: quite impressively sensible film actually. Given the 240 isn't a mile off the 225 I'd be on should I go the MK1 route I think there's something to take away from this.


BTW, clearly we're at the 'just take a flippin' test drive' point, but as I've said before: we are in the relaxation area, kicking stuff around and talking cars. Could be worse.
 
Possibly thinking about buying a matching mk1 TT to complement it ?

Must have full leather heated seats in the TT though and in black only, as for some reason the other colours just seem to wear quicker, well from what I've seen anyway ?

Funnily enough I personally don't like leather seats in an A2 though and much prefer cloth as I find them more comfortable and with a good thorough wet cleaning they come up like new too

Just for clarification, I didn't mean that I was looking to buy a matching mk1 TT.

Those were the days before kids and a dog came along for me.

If my lotto number's had come up tonight I would complement the A2 with an RS6 Avant, whether it does actually complement the A2 or not!

For me it's the complete car, ultimate performance, practicality and understated looks, well compared to equivalently paced sports cars anyway.

Only problem is I didn't even get one number let alone six.

Never mind ?
 
Title edited to remove '225' reference. There seems to be at least as many 180's out there as 225's and lots seem to be in lovely condition.

I've always liked smaller turbo'd cars for their more linear power delivery and often found that the sweet spot in a range is one down from top. (323i vs 328i, VTR vs VTS etc). Engine gubbins aside, later 180's have the same spec as 225's.

Therefore, given my driving style tends to be pretty steady these days and not too rev happy, I think to put 180's into the mix along with the 225 wouldn't be a terrible thing.
 
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