Audi TT Review Covering 2006 To Date

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Quick Summary of the Audi TT

OVERALL

Some used car buys are genuinely hard to fault and the TT is one of them. Demand has kept prices buoyant, so don’t expect to scalp somebody for a big bargain. The pick of the range is probably the 2.0TFSI with the S tronic gearbox but whichever TT model you opt for, you’re getting a car that talks more quietly but punches a whole lot harder than its predecessor.

LET’S GO ROUND AGAIN

Sometimes it pays to accept that the people who work in car manufacturer design departments are cleverer than you are. Once you’ve surrendered to this knowledge, it’s far less likely you’ll make a giant prat of yourself by, let’s see, claiming that Audi had lost the plot with the second generation TT because the design had been watered down too much. Several thousand sales later, hats, words and humble pie is being eaten by motoring journalists across the globe. Audi got it right with the TT Mk II. Here’s how to track down a decent used example.
Used Audi TT for sale

History of the TT

There’s a good deal to be said for not trying too hard. When Audi announced the second generation TT, I must admit that I was expecting a train wreck. I was sure that Audi would try once again to shift the goalposts much as the original TT did upon its launch in 1998. Not optimistic about their chances of success, most in the office figured we’d be seeing something that looked as if it had fallen out of the ugly tree and clouted every branch on the way down. Not so. Although Walter De Silva’s design could stand accused of playing it safe, it’s a handsome car and that, above all, was what sold the old TT. Look a little closer at the technical specifications and it’s clear that Audi was intent on progressing the TT as a driver’s car, something for which the old model never really garnered a solid reputation.A series of high profile crashes caused Audi to emasculate the old TT, modifying the suspension, fitting ESP stability control to all models and adding a rather ugly rear spoiler. In reality, all the TT did was what any ‘proper’ performance car does and that is allow a degree of oversteer when lifting off the throttle. Enthusiasts call this ‘chassis adjustability’ but the TT didn’t sell exclusively to enthusiasts - hence the embarrassing about face. The latest car respects the limitations of its target audience – to a degree. Launched in September 2006 in both fixed head and drop top body styles in either a 2.0TFSI front-wheel drive guise or 3.2-litre V6 quattro form, the TT was a far more satisfying drivers car than the original. The TT-S model, launched in 2008 in both coupe and roadster forms – is a car that won’t make you feel too sore if a Porsche Cayman is beyond the budget. If budgets are tight, the TT TDI diesel, launched concurrently with the TT-S, might be just the ticket.
Used Audi TT for sale

Audi TT Road Test

As you’d expect given such light weight, performance is strong. The 197bhp 2.0-litre turbo TT posts a sprint to 60mph in 6.6 seconds (6.4 with DSG) before running on to a top speed of 149mph. The 3.2-litre car makes 60 in 5.9 seconds (5.7 with DSG) and hits an electronic limiter at 155mph. That’s a whole new plane of performance for the TT and also represents a more sensible product mix. It was slightly bizarre that the old TT quattro Sport with 237bhp was, due to its lighter weight, quicker and more capable than the flagship 3.2-litre car. At least now there’s a product hierarchy that’s easy to grasp.The TT-S is quicker still. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and four wheel drive may not be original but it’s a template that has produced some iconic sports cars down the years. The 60mph benchmark is 5.0 seconds away in the manual TTS Coupe, with the top speed pegged at 155mph. Choose the S tronic dual clutch sequential transmission and that figure is shaved down to 4.8 seconds; serious pace by virtually any measure.Many will ask will be whether the TT TDI diesel model is quick enough. Clearly this depends on your definition of fast, but a sprint to 60mph in just 7.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 140mph is a decent showing from this 169bhp engine. Quattro four wheel drive helps you get the power onto the tarmac too. Revving to 5,000rpm, this diesel engine is an impressive unit and the torque figure of 350Nm knocks the 2.0T petrol model’s 280Nm into next week. Even the 3.2-litre V6 quattro models only manage 320Nm. Overtaking, therefore, is not a big problem for the TT TDI.
Used Audi TT for sale

Buying a Audi TT

The niggles with the original TT such as the coil pack woes of the 1.8T engine, the errant tracking and the rather hit and miss colour palette of early cars have been well and truly rectified with the latest generation car. The 2.0TFSI engine, the 2.0-litre TDI diesel and the 3.2-litre powerplant have all earned a reputation for strong reliability. Even the complex mechanical parts like the electrically folding hood have thus far proven gremlin-free.
Used Audi TT for sale

Audi TT Typical Pricing

Book prices start at £22,700 for the first of the 06 plated 2.0 TFSI coupes with a manual gearbox, metallic paint and leather. The S Tronic twin-clutch sequential gearbox is a very desirable fitment to these cars and adds almost £1,000 to the used valuation. Aim for a roadster and you’ll need to stump up £23,900 for a manual and £24,800 for an S Tronic. The 3.2-litre car hasn’t found quite so many takers as Audi may have wished and has suffered heavier depreciation. You’ll be able to pick up a n 06-plated quattro coupe for £26,200 and a roadster for £27,100, both on an 06 plate. Again, you’ll need to tack around £900 onto those prices if you want the paddle shift gearchange and deduct about £1,000 from those figures if the car comes with an atlas on the parcel shelf instead of dealer-fit satellite navigation.
Used Audi TT for sale

Audi TT Parts

(approx based on a 2007 2.0 TFSI Coupe) Audi consumables once had a reputation for costliness, but whilst they are a bit pricier than Ford or Vauxhall, spares are by no means exorbitant. An air filter costs in the region of £65, whilst a fuel filter is £25 and an oil filter £35. A set of spark plugs will be around £70.
Used Audi TT for sale

Audi TT Rated

Performance Performance 3.5 out of 5

Comfort

Handling

Economy

Styling

Equipment

Build

Depreciation Depreciation 4 out of 5

Insurance

Value

Audi TT Review2006 To Date