10-12yr old Audi TT

cojomo2

need a car ASAP and thinking of one of these, am I asking for trouble buying a TT this old with 100 odd k miles? Most sellers I have called state they have only partial or no service history.

I'm in two minds..something like I mentioned above or something more sensible, like a newer, low mileage colt or similar..but thats a bit boring..

any advice?

Anan1

I certainly wouldn't buy an older turbocharged car without FSH. How about a Hyundai Coupé?

mickdw

They are pretty bulletproof. You need history though. Doesn't need to be main dealer or indeed any dealer but you want to be looking at receipts for oil changes every 8k miles or so with proper oil. Get a quattro and 180bhp min. I would say.
I ran a TT for a few years, all it needed was 2 rear shocks if my memory serves me right. Having said that, the previous owner had spent a lot of money on it on basic service stuff whereas I did the basics myself for tiny cost.

Anan1

mickdw wrote: »

Get a quattro and 180bhp min. I would say.

Given that the OP is undecided between a TT and a Colt, i'd say 150bhp FWD would be more than enough.

vectra

cojomo2 wrote: »

need a car ASAP and thinking of one of these, am I asking for trouble buying a TT this old with 100 odd k miles? Most sellers I have called state they have only partial or no service history.

I'm in two minds..something like I mentioned above or something more sensible, like a newer, low mileage colt or similar..but thats a bit boring..

any advice?

You could buy a nice Mk1 Octavia vRS with the same engine and possibly lower insurance group

Something along the lines of this one?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3109558

PRISTINE CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT FULL SERVICE HISTORY WITH TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP JUST CHANGED THE CAR COMES FULLY NCT D AND TAXED UNABUSED MODEL..

but43r

Anan1 wrote: »

Given that the OP is undecided between a TT and a Colt, i'd say 150bhp FWD would be more than enough.

I thought that 150bhp FWD TTs were LHD only?

cojomo2

Hyundai coupé is a horrible car IMO!

I'm coming from a Gti..and need to downgrade(in years) but would still like something with a bit of poke, that's why I'm drawn to the TT but so far , finding one with a full history is difficult. If I was getting one, it would be the 225bhp quattro. Don't know what else to consider really..can't go over the 2.0 mark. There are a few Astra OPC going cheap, but they are a bit of the boy racer side I think.

cojomo2

vectra wrote: »

You could buy a nice Mk1 Octavia vRS with the same engine and possibly lower insurance group

Something along the lines of this one?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3109558

Yep, I like them, but forgot to mention it has to be a smallish car. The missus doesn't like big cars!(and she will be paying half) Had to sell a 520i before as she couldn't get use to it.

Anan1

cojomo2 wrote: »

Hyundai coupé is a horrible car IMO!

I'm coming from a Gti..and need to downgrade(in years) but would still like something with a bit of poke, that's why I'm drawn to the TT but so far , finding one with a full history is difficult. If I was getting one, it would be the 225bhp quattro. Don't know what else to consider really..can't go over the 2.0 mark. There are a few Astra OPC going cheap, but they are a bit of the boy racer side I think.

Apologies, I had assumed when you mentioned the Colt that you just wanted a coupe for the looks. How about a Clio 172?

mickdw

cojomo2 wrote: »

Hyundai coupé is a horrible car IMO!

I'm coming from a Gti..and need to downgrade(in years) but would still like something with a bit of poke, that's why I'm drawn to the TT but so far , finding one with a full history is difficult. If I was getting one, it would be the 225bhp quattro. Don't know what else to consider really..can't go over the 2.0 mark. There are a few Astra OPC going cheap, but they are a bit of the boy racer side I think.

Get the TT but don't be tempted by cars with little history even more so on a 225bhp model.

I was going to add that a TT is pointless in fwd 150 bhp but you seem to be steering clear of those.

pippip

cojomo2 wrote: »

Had to sell a 520i before as she couldn't get use to it.

Justified Homicide

cojomo2

not a fan of the clio at all unfortunately,

Yep, I wasn't too clear when I mentioned I was considering a colt..I would hate one..it would just be a means of transport..I'm either going to get something flashy on a budget (if I can find something suitable- with history etc) or just give up and opt for a means to get from A to B ..(colt etc) until finances improve.

vectra

cojomo2 wrote: »

Yep, I like them, but forgot to mention it has to be a smallish car. The missus doesn't like big cars!(and she will be paying half) Had to sell a 520i before as she couldn't get use to it.

They are not that big to be honest.
Get her to drive one. You never know

Boots2006

mickdw wrote: »

They are pretty bulletproof. You need history though. Doesn't need to be main dealer or indeed any dealer but you want to be looking at receipts for oil changes every 8k miles or so with proper oil. Get a quattro and 180bhp min. I would say.

+1, there's no excuse for not having service history on the likes of a TT. Look for timing belt and haldex servicing being done.

tossy

Anan1 wrote: »

I certainly wouldn't buy an older turbocharged car without FSH. How about a Hyundai Coupé?

I'd buy a TT with questionable service history over a hyuandai coupe anyday ,even if it was owned by Mr hyuandai himself and had the most comprehensive service history ever,plus it was the faster (but still slower) V6 version and came with a free holiday to Korea.

OP nothing wrong with buying a 10-12 yr old model with even questionable service history once you get it checked out by a good mechanic who knows what to look for on these cars,the main points i think being the oil pick up issue with the 1.8T engine,the servicing of the haldex clutch set up and the porblems with TT instrument clusters.

cojomo2

Boots2006 wrote: »

+1, there's no excuse for not having service history on the likes of a TT. Look for timing belt and haldex servicing being done.

Thanks for the tip..I'm not that familiar with the haldex system..what exactly needs doing with this in terms of servicing? Thanks

Anan1

tossy wrote: »

I'd buy a TT with questionable service history over a hyuandai coupe anyday ,even if it was owned by Mr hyuandai himself and had the most comprehensive service history ever,plus it was the faster (but still slower) V6 version and came with a free holiday to Korea.

Me too, but the car isn't for us.;)

tossy

cojomo2 wrote: »

Thanks for the tip..I'm not that familiar with the haldex system..what exactly needs doing with this in terms of servicing? Thanks

The 4wd system on the TT is haldex (name of the company that makes it) based it consists of a multi plate clutch that engages the rear diif /wheels when slip is detected,it is a pretty bullet proof set up but requires oil changes every 20k (Vw/audi say 40k but pay no heed to that ) if you drive a 4wd TT and hear any noises,knocks or even worse whining from the rear diff (rear boot area) then walk away.

lomb

Check the clutch engages nearer the floor than the top, its about 1100-1800 for a dmf,clutch and flywheel. Timing belts are prone to breakage, get it changed immediately if there is no proper indication it has been done.
Check the quattro system works, some have been disabled, one I test drove the ESP light didnt light on the dash when disabled.
The 225 is a legend of a car. I have the roadster which is even nicer. The handling on the originals wasnt great but theres a few mods that can help with that, check out the TT Uk forum for more.

tossy

If the Haldex has been disabled i.e the fuse has been pulled,the ABS light will remain on.There may be another way of doing it but i'm not aware of it.

lomb

lomb wrote: »

............I have the roadster which is even nicer. ..............

Any pics?

lomb

RoverJames wrote: »

Any pics?

Sure ...

colm_mcm

Very few people properly maintain the haldex though afaik

mickdw

colm_mcm wrote: »

Very few people properly maintain the haldex though afaik

Dealer asked me did I have a leak when I went to order the tube of haldex oil! They had never changed it in the main dealer service department so you would appear to be correct - They even told me ATF would be the right oil which is totally wrong.
I had the car for about 35k miles and I just changed the haldex oil, not the filter. The service info I had available to me said that the oil should be changed every 20k with the haldex filter every 40k. Filter is tricky enough to get at without the special looped wrench.

tossy

colm_mcm wrote: »

Very few people properly maintain the haldex though afaik

I bought a tube of the oil for the bora in a large main VW/Audi dealer and it was the first time they had ever ordered one in and this was in or around 2008!

lomb

The haldex oil and filter takes about an hour to change if one has the car on ramps or has some diy ramps.
I actually have a spare haldex filter wrench for sale if anyone wants one.
Mine had the oil only changed at 20 k miles in the UK and was definately on the original filter at 70k miles when I changed it. And mine was actually well maintained.

Saab Ed

Maybe sir would prefer something a little bit from the left instead

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3791814.htm

colm_mcm

Don't think you'll get much of a gt for 00 TT money

Jimbob 83

Octavia's are not a big car tbh, medium with a largish arse

cojomo2

This could work
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3209585

looks like fun, I'm sure I could overlook the girly looks.

Is the cooper s a reliable motor? Anyone any idea how much that one is worth?

tossy

cojomo2 wrote: »

This could work
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3209585

looks like fun, I'm sure I could overlook the girly looks.

Is the cooper s a reliable motor? Anyone any idea how much that one is worth?

Absolute hoot of a car to drive,the older supercharged one's sound amazing too,i'd have one over a TT i think,in reality i'd have neither though.

cojomo2

tossy wrote: »

Absolute hoot of a car to drive,the older supercharged one's sound amazing too,i'd have one over a TT i think,in reality i'd have neither though.

yo have me interested now:D..I have heard they are buckets of fun.. that dude has no price on it..what would you pay for that? Is there anything I should be looking out for (apart from service history) that may be an expensive fix? Is the supercharger strong enough/reliable in it?

tossy

cojomo2 wrote: »

yo have me interested now:D..I have heard they are buckets of fun.. that dude has no price on it..what would you pay for that? Is there anything I should be looking out for (apart from service history) that may be an expensive fix? Is the supercharger strong enough/reliable in it?

I don't know a whole lot about them to be honest,the are an absolute howl to drive though,i think the changed to turbo in around 2006/7.There is also a works version and a GP version i think.

cojomo2

thanks guys..is there anything I should be keeping an eye out for in the service history that should have been done, but may not have been?

Owen

Not really, the 1.6 Tritec lump is fairly basic when it comes to requirements. There's *huge* tuning potential in that engine too. A smaller supercharger pulley, exhaust and remap will have you at well over 200Bhp for about 1k. Parts have become cheap and cheerful too, everything from brake kits to suspension upgrades.

Only thing to do when you get it is change the pollen filter, no main dealer ever does and they get absolutely manky.

wendell borton

Bought a '00 225 two years ago with full history only probs. i have had have been electrical the windows not closing properly and the instrument panel, fuel gauge was showing a 1/2 tank when empty.

Mechanicaly it's a fairly solid car as it's based on the golf just make sure full synthetic 5w-40 oil is used.

cojomo2

Is there a timing belt/chain that needs replacing in the cooper s? If so, after how many years/miles? Thanks

Owen

It's a timing chain, doesn't need replacing. If it ever gets rattly it'll need a new tensioner at some point, but I've seen cars with 150k miles on the original chain and tensioner without problems.

tossy

What are the like for charger belts? is it a serpentine belt?

Owen

Yup, Serpentine belt, generally you'll get a long time out of the belts. They're easy to inspect, visible on the left hand side of the engine.

cojomo2

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2265344

any opinions on the cooper s? It's heavily modified ..not sure if thats a good thing?

Owen

Those seats are original JCWs, about 1400 each new. I had them in my S. The car's hideous though. Those wheels are cheap aftermarket knockoffs and nearly all of them had balancing issues. And the rear valance? I'm trying to find an implement here to pluck out my eyes!

langdang

Horrific. Knew which car it was before I opened the link at all thanks to Owens comments. Been around a while now.

Boots2006

wendell borton wrote: »

Bought a '00 225 two years ago with full history only probs. i have had have been electrical the windows not closing properly and the instrument panel, fuel gauge was showing a 1/2 tank when empty.

Mechanicaly it's a fairly solid car as it's based on the golf just make sure full synthetic 5w-40 oil is used.

There's a technique to reset the window position sensors, takes about 1 min to do, and the clocks/instrument pod can now be refurbished in the UK for £200 or so.