Audi TT 225 Coupe

[MGYoung]

Hi there,

I'm looking for information / advice on buying an early example (circa 2000).

So far it appears to tick all the right boxes.

1. Well built.
2. Fast enough for me.
3. practical enough for everyday use. Rear seats are all but useless but could feasibly squeeze 3 or 4 people in the car for very short journeys or use the rear seats as extra bot space.
4. decent sized boot which can be enlarged by folding down the rear seats.
5. Insurance not too vicious (circa 400 fully comp)
6. compact dimensions.
7. reasonably fuel economy.
8. No horror stories about parts prices or servicing.
9. Distingtive shape. I wouldn't call it beautiful but it still stands out from the crowd.
10. Low depreciation.

Anyone got any comments or advice?

Thanks and all the best.

Martin.


>> Edited by MGYoung on Saturday 13th May 10:12

[carsarecool]

I've had a 3.2 for 19 months, put 45k miles on it and it has been a great car.

Practical, fast, economical (29mpg for a 3.2 pretty good)and comfortable.

Ignore the knockers of the TT, they're great cars, not the most involving I grant you, but great cars!

Cheers,

Mart

[targarama]

Good car, marmite styling (love it/hate it). Suspension is a bit stiff/crashy on rough roads, steering a bit inert, exhaust not too sporty sounding and brakes not really up to spirited driving. All except the steering can easily be cured if you want to.

My other half has a TT 225. Bought it new, all the toys including BOSE and heated seats. Its a great car for her -quick enough, safe, not noisy. Does 30mpg on average. 70k on the clock and we're still on the original pads, the clutch feels like new, the rest of the car is like new save for a few chips and small scratches. She's going to keep it for the foreseeable future.

If you can find one thats not been thrashed (full bore starts in a 4WD kill clutches and gearboxes) or modified (sign of potential thrashing) then they're a great buy.

[paul garabette]

Have a look on tt-forum.co.uk There is loads of TT information there.

[Gren]

Agree with all your points and are more or less the reasons I bought mine. Fast enough, cheap to run (mine does cost more in tyres than servicing though - 15k per full set of tyres at £400, 19k servicing at £300) & insure and distinct. The reason that people 'see so many' is that they actually do still sort of stand out from most cars.

Forget about the back seats entirely though. The only way anyone has ever fit into the back of mine is lying across the back seat! I'm not that tall (5' 8" but the space behind the drivers seat is nowhere near enough for anyones legs to fit.

[paul garabette]

Gren said:

Forget about the back seats entirely though.

They fit a six year old and a four year old in perfectly....well with only a bit of squeezing!!!

[968csreading]

paul garabette said:

Gren said:

Forget about the back seats entirely though.

They fit a six year old and a four year old in perfectly....well with only a bit of squeezing!!!

Do booster seats fit in the rear? (the ones with backs on them)

How big is the boot?

Edited by 968csreading on Thursday 17th August 17:06

[Gren]

Not sure about booster seats but you can get baby seats in them - Isofix fittings as well. Boot is okay but very shallow because of the Haldex gubbins. Carrier bags full of shopping will not fit in close to the tail - ranges from around 2 feet to 1 foot in height.

[frank987]

I had a 3.2dsg TT coupe for 2 years from brand new and ran up 89,000. Not a thing went wrong with it (unlike my previous BMW 330ci sport which had a new gearbox at 65,000).

Can't recommend these enough, especially in the winter when all the rear wheel drive boy's (including me!) will be crawling up hills, whilst you whizz pass them with 4wd!

[968csreading]

Thanks for the replies

I like thr idea of a 225 and might consider one next year (when I sell my 968 and spend some money on the house to keep the Mrs happy).

Are there any other specialists I can keep an eye on, I know of Crofts and Fontain.

[zcacogp]

968csreading said:

I'm thinking of getting rid of a 968 in favour of an Audi TT.

Interesting. I've never driven an Audi TT, but the Porsche boys seem to make hobbies out of knocking them.

With an open mind, I'd be interested to see how you get on. Keep us posted.


Oli.

[iguana]

zcacogp said:

968csreading said:

I'm thinking of getting rid of a 968 in favour of an Audi TT.

Interesting. I've never driven an Audi TT, but the Porsche boys seem to make hobbies out of knocking them.

With an open mind, I'd be interested to see how you get on. Keep us posted.


Oli.

They are not that bad really ive driven few with proper power & decent mods & they do go well, still a mainly fwd hatch at the end of the day (aftermarket haldex controler will make it less so tho) which some will love or hate.

[zcacogp]

iguana said:

They are not that bad really ive driven few with proper power & decent mods & they do go well, still a mainly fwd hatch at the end of the day (aftermarket haldex controler will make it less so tho) which some will love or hate.

I think that there is a bit too much of the 'It's FWD, let's automatically hate it' sentiment on here.

As a RWD rookie, I can see the appeal. But then I can also see the appeal of FWD.


Oli.

[Gren]

Whilst it can drive a lot like a FWD if you want it to, my tyre usage says a thing or two about which wheels are driven for what proportion of the time - have had 4 sets now fitted and each time the rears have worn as fast as the fronts.

Have never seen this on a FWD car before.

[targarama]

Gren said:

Whilst it can drive a lot like a FWD if you want it to, my tyre usage says a thing or two about which wheels are driven for what proportion of the time - have had 4 sets now fitted and each time the rears have worn as fast as the fronts.

Have never seen this on a FWD car before.

Yep, same on ours. Fronts and rears wear at exactly the same rate. Shows that if and when you are about to lose traction it transfers the drive to save tread (oh, and propel you forward faster too).

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

All 4 of mine were replaced at the same time too.

[DW225]

I have one of these at the moment and it's a great car (despite the hairdresser jokes )

A few modifications later and it's even better.....I've got a few more planned and have no intention of changing it for a good time yet

I just posted some pics in the South Wales section.

Dave

[muppetdave]

I've had my 225 quattro since June.

Bought from an Audi dealership, with 20k on the clock, the car is like new, not even the tiniest scuff on the wheels. Absolutely chuffed to bits with it, despite it being on a 51-plate.

I'm racking up mileage through work quickly, and that doesn't seem to be a problem. It's on the variable mileage servicing, and as I do longer journeys the majority of the time the interval seems to be sticking to the higher end.

For me so far it's been the perfect 'next step' into proper cars. When funding allows it'll be on to a sportscar plus roadcar scenario (rubbish company car allowance policy at work dictates!)

Overall impression - go for it!