Discussion
Im considering a Mk2 TT-RS as my next car. Just wondering does anyone have any experience or advice with the 2.5 in terms of running costs and reliability
They seem as rare as rocking horse sh*t but that is part of the appeal for one.
This one in particular is tickling my fancy.
https://www.pm-carsales.co.uk/used-cars/audi-tt-rs...
I was originally thinking of going for a Mk7 Golf R but it i think an RS might be a bit more interesting ( Albeit an older platform ) , and will probably depreciate less.
Any help appreciated
Thanks
Edited by D'oh on Thursday 12th July 13:02
As a model the MK2 TT i now in some ways starting to feel a bit dated; whether this bothers you is a fairly personal thing and as a common, we-supported car the retrofit world can cater to modernising a lot of the infotainment.
The RS has a pretty harsh ride (even with mag-ride) but I hear the MSS spring kit for them is a very worthwhile upgrade.
The performance is just plain silly, particularly so the S-Tronic. With minor tuning (if such a thing is your bag, affordable, insurable etc.) they can be bombastic. Think 911 turbo performance. Wonderful sounding engine but like a lot of Audis at the time the standard exhaust is muted.
The car on your link is a long way from standard so tread very carefully. Insuring that could be 'fun'.
They 2.5T needs plugs every 20k miles. TTRS needs a rear diff oil change every 40k and S-Tronics have gearbox oil at the same time. Discs are reasonable expensive (think 800 quid odd for fronts) but tyres are a common size so quite affordable these days.
The RS has a pretty harsh ride (even with mag-ride) but I hear the MSS spring kit for them is a very worthwhile upgrade.
The performance is just plain silly, particularly so the S-Tronic. With minor tuning (if such a thing is your bag, affordable, insurable etc.) they can be bombastic. Think 911 turbo performance. Wonderful sounding engine but like a lot of Audis at the time the standard exhaust is muted.
The car on your link is a long way from standard so tread very carefully. Insuring that could be 'fun'.
They 2.5T needs plugs every 20k miles. TTRS needs a rear diff oil change every 40k and S-Tronics have gearbox oil at the same time. Discs are reasonable expensive (think 800 quid odd for fronts) but tyres are a common size so quite affordable these days.
Dr G said:
As a model the MK2 TT i now in some ways starting to feel a bit dated; whether this bothers you is a fairly personal thing and as a common, we-supported car the retrofit world can cater to modernising a lot of the infotainment.
The RS has a pretty harsh ride (even with mag-ride) but I hear the MSS spring kit for them is a very worthwhile upgrade.
The performance is just plain silly, particularly so the S-Tronic. With minor tuning (if such a thing is your bag, affordable, insurable etc.) they can be bombastic. Think 911 turbo performance. Wonderful sounding engine but like a lot of Audis at the time the standard exhaust is muted.
The car on your link is a long way from standard so tread very carefully. Insuring that could be 'fun'.
They 2.5T needs plugs every 20k miles. TTRS needs a rear diff oil change every 40k and S-Tronics have gearbox oil at the same time. Discs are reasonable expensive (think 800 quid odd for fronts) but tyres are a common size so quite affordable these days.
Thanks for the detailed reply. The RS has a pretty harsh ride (even with mag-ride) but I hear the MSS spring kit for them is a very worthwhile upgrade.
The performance is just plain silly, particularly so the S-Tronic. With minor tuning (if such a thing is your bag, affordable, insurable etc.) they can be bombastic. Think 911 turbo performance. Wonderful sounding engine but like a lot of Audis at the time the standard exhaust is muted.
The car on your link is a long way from standard so tread very carefully. Insuring that could be 'fun'.
They 2.5T needs plugs every 20k miles. TTRS needs a rear diff oil change every 40k and S-Tronics have gearbox oil at the same time. Discs are reasonable expensive (think 800 quid odd for fronts) but tyres are a common size so quite affordable these days.
I was thinking of going for the S-Tronic for that reason , although i cant help but feel i will miss a manual. I have also heard other people comment on the cost of the Discs , so would be prepared for that. Other than that it seems like they are overall not THAT expensive to run.
I have heard of "RS Tax" , which kind of scared me off. My buddy has an RS4 and the running costs are pretty eye watering and dont think i would be prepared for something like that.
I am living in Ireland so will have to pay VRT on Importing one , which again is another scary and unknown prospect , but since there are currently 0 for sale here as far as i can see , i guess i will just have to suck it up!
Dr G said:
The car on your link is a long way from standard so tread very carefully. Insuring that could be 'fun'.
Not sure what you are looking at apart from the pipercross air filter all other items listed are just optional extras from new so would not require any notification to an insurer.I have just moved on from mine after 11k miles and 14 months. I sold it and bought a MK3 TTRS.
Mine was a 61 plate with Stronic and Magride. APR Stage 2, APR IC, Pipercross intake and full decat Milltek Exhaust - 430hp and 665nm. The interior of these cars is a lovely place to be but worth going for the Recaro buckets seats, albeit very rare. I had to pay a bit of a premium to get this option but worth every penny over the OEM seats.
In terms of performance it's ballistic. With launch control it could crack 0-100mph in 8s. That much torque in such a small car is really fun, diesel-like at the low end but just keeps pulling to the redline. The inline 5 sounds amazing, especially with an aftermarket exhaust.
Mine was easy to live with on long runs, often driven 200 mostly motorway miles in a day was quite relaxing in comfort mode. In Sport the suspension was too much for anything but glass roads. I didn't get round to MSS Spring fitment but the handling was the one thing that let it down, it is not the most confidence inspiring especially at high speeds. Consider it a 7/10ths car, loads of fun for normal driving but step it up a bit and not so much.
Front brake friction does need upgrading but there are good aftermarket options for discs around £6-800. I fitted Reyland Motorsport discs on mine.
In summary, a devastating daily driver that you can fit your (small) kids in the back of and a surprising amount in the boot when needed! Cost me £1k in servicing, a wheel bearing and went through 3mm of MPSS all-round in 11k. My average MPG was high 20s with low 30s easily obtainable on a run. Keeping to 70mph would see about 36mpg on a run. £600/yr to insure which was only an extra £100 with all mods declared.
I would have never considered a TT but got tempted to take a look at the RS 'to rule it out', and the rest of history as they say...
Mine was a 61 plate with Stronic and Magride. APR Stage 2, APR IC, Pipercross intake and full decat Milltek Exhaust - 430hp and 665nm. The interior of these cars is a lovely place to be but worth going for the Recaro buckets seats, albeit very rare. I had to pay a bit of a premium to get this option but worth every penny over the OEM seats.
In terms of performance it's ballistic. With launch control it could crack 0-100mph in 8s. That much torque in such a small car is really fun, diesel-like at the low end but just keeps pulling to the redline. The inline 5 sounds amazing, especially with an aftermarket exhaust.
Mine was easy to live with on long runs, often driven 200 mostly motorway miles in a day was quite relaxing in comfort mode. In Sport the suspension was too much for anything but glass roads. I didn't get round to MSS Spring fitment but the handling was the one thing that let it down, it is not the most confidence inspiring especially at high speeds. Consider it a 7/10ths car, loads of fun for normal driving but step it up a bit and not so much.
Front brake friction does need upgrading but there are good aftermarket options for discs around £6-800. I fitted Reyland Motorsport discs on mine.
In summary, a devastating daily driver that you can fit your (small) kids in the back of and a surprising amount in the boot when needed! Cost me £1k in servicing, a wheel bearing and went through 3mm of MPSS all-round in 11k. My average MPG was high 20s with low 30s easily obtainable on a run. Keeping to 70mph would see about 36mpg on a run. £600/yr to insure which was only an extra £100 with all mods declared.
I would have never considered a TT but got tempted to take a look at the RS 'to rule it out', and the rest of history as they say...
Thanks , enjoyed reading that!
I have pretty much decided since i first posted that i am set on one . The only trouble is finding a good example!
Plenty Manuals hanging around but not much with S-Tronic.
The same thing happened when i was buying my Scirocco 2.0TSI and ended up in a manual and have always had it in the back of my mind that i should have held out for a DSG.
Especially when tuning is involved , as i imagine a remap will be on the cards with the TTRS fairly soon after i get one. On paper the performance figures for a lightly tuned TTRS are very impressive. I can imagine yours was a lot of fun!
How does the standard Mk3 Compare to your modified Mk2?
I have pretty much decided since i first posted that i am set on one . The only trouble is finding a good example!
Plenty Manuals hanging around but not much with S-Tronic.
The same thing happened when i was buying my Scirocco 2.0TSI and ended up in a manual and have always had it in the back of my mind that i should have held out for a DSG.
Especially when tuning is involved , as i imagine a remap will be on the cards with the TTRS fairly soon after i get one. On paper the performance figures for a lightly tuned TTRS are very impressive. I can imagine yours was a lot of fun!
How does the standard Mk3 Compare to your modified Mk2?
D'oh said:
Thanks , enjoyed reading that!
I have pretty much decided since i first posted that i am set on one . The only trouble is finding a good example!
Plenty Manuals hanging around but not much with S-Tronic.
The same thing happened when i was buying my Scirocco 2.0TSI and ended up in a manual and have always had it in the back of my mind that i should have held out for a DSG.
Especially when tuning is involved , as i imagine a remap will be on the cards with the TTRS fairly soon after i get one. On paper the performance figures for a lightly tuned TTRS are very impressive. I can imagine yours was a lot of fun!
How does the standard Mk3 Compare to your modified Mk2?
Don't know about comparison because i've never driven a TTRs but the standard MK3 2.0 Quattro stronic is still a great drive. I have pretty much decided since i first posted that i am set on one . The only trouble is finding a good example!
Plenty Manuals hanging around but not much with S-Tronic.
The same thing happened when i was buying my Scirocco 2.0TSI and ended up in a manual and have always had it in the back of my mind that i should have held out for a DSG.
Especially when tuning is involved , as i imagine a remap will be on the cards with the TTRS fairly soon after i get one. On paper the performance figures for a lightly tuned TTRS are very impressive. I can imagine yours was a lot of fun!
How does the standard Mk3 Compare to your modified Mk2?
Obviously at 230bhp its not going to worry a TTRs mapped to double that but its still a sub 6s 0-60 and capable of license losing speed.
Plenty of reputable tuners remapping to 330bhp too.
D'oh said:
Just to update this , i ended up picking up a TTRS in Sepang Blue ( S-Tronic ) from a dealer during the week.
44,000 miles and they are doing the Gearbox and Haldex Service this week and i am collecting it next Saturday. To say im excited is an understatement!

Very nice!44,000 miles and they are doing the Gearbox and Haldex Service this week and i am collecting it next Saturday. To say im excited is an understatement!

Probably the only 5 cylinder petrol still in production. Absolutely love the sound of them.
D'oh said:
Just to update this , i ended up picking up a TTRS in Sepang Blue ( S-Tronic ) from a dealer during the week.
44,000 miles and they are doing the Gearbox and Haldex Service this week and i am collecting it next Saturday. To say im excited is an understatement!

Best colour as well, obviously I am slightly bias, enjoy 44,000 miles and they are doing the Gearbox and Haldex Service this week and i am collecting it next Saturday. To say im excited is an understatement!

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