You already have to go to the bazaars for the Audi icon, even if you don’t want to, but it will repay you with almost bulletproof reliability
6 hours ago | Petr Prokopec
Photo: Audi
It’s a bit of a paradox, but few cars are statistically as strong as the TT. You have already saved up for the cheapest first-generation models after a few months, but they obviously represent the biggest risk. This then gradually decreases to almost zero with lower age.
Only twenty-five years was enough for the Audi TT to become a modern legend. This February, however, the very last specimen rolled off the assembly lines in Györ, Hungary. Practically all warehouses are already sold out, which means only one thing – if you are interested, you have to go to car dealerships. You can choose from three generations, the first of which was a pop culture icon in its time, much like the original Toyota RAV4. Its successor then replaced the round shapes with sharp curves, which from today’s point of view cannot be considered a step in the right direction – only the original TT is timelessly elegant.
With the second generation, however, the RS version arrived, which housed the iconic 2.5-liter five-cylinder in the engine compartment. This power unit initially produced 340 hp, before the output was even increased to 360 hp. The former peak, i.e. the 3.2-liter six-cylinder atmosphere with 250 horses, was suddenly a poor relative. In addition, Audi decided to raise the bar even higher with the third generation. At the same time, with 400 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque, the TT RS managed 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, which until recently was a time reserved only for much more expensive super sports.
So which design to choose? In the case of design and motorization, the choice is purely yours. For us, we can add some knowledge about reliability, although it should be noted at the outset that the Audi TT is generally exceptional in this regard. And if you come across a shunt, it’s only because the previous owner signed off on it, not the car company’s laxity. The German TÜV Report places this model at the top regardless of age, and in the category of eight- and nine-year-old and ten- and eleven-year-old cars it takes second place after the Porsche 911.
In other words, we have an incredible bracket, whose failure rate in the case of eleven-year-old cars is the same as that of a three-year-old Dacia Logan (11.6 percent), but with almost three times the mileage (110,000 km versus 40,000 km). In such a case, the prices may surprise you, as they start at around 60,000 crowns. But you have to realize that at that moment you can get even that quarter-century-old car that has driven over 250,000 km. And in addition, it is equipped with a turbocharged one-eighth, which is a risky matter due to the high probability of a necessary overhaul of the turbo.
For the original, also check the DSG transmission, which requires regular oil changes, as well as the front axle. As a result of age, both suspension and steering may already be worn. The noise coming from the rear does not have to come from a sports or cracked exhaust, but also from bad bearings. However, it will probably also be necessary to replace the candles, coils or battery. And lest we forget, with that 1.8-liter engine, owners often associate coolant leaks.
In the case of the second generation, which arrived in 2006, you already need to dig a little deeper into your pocket, at least for 140 thousand crowns. Again, however, there will be a high run-in. Under the hood, however, most often expect two liters and 200 horses. At the same time, there is no criticism associated with it, unlike the brakes. Many owners have reported that the front ones squeak too much. And while it didn’t affect their performance, comfort suffered. And the only solution was to replace the pads.
The tradition of almost bulletproof interiors suffers slightly due to the lower quality leather upholstery, which is relatively easy to scuff. We can also mention a very small number of cars that left the factory with paint defects, but that’s where the criticism ends even in the case of this variant. So we can move on to the third generation, which started in showrooms in 2014. And although many owners have already managed to drive almost 300,000 km, prices below a quarter of a million crowns cannot be counted on.
The reason is the incredible satisfaction of the owners, because even if there were problems with the air conditioning, brakes or suspension, most of the cars were repaired within hours or a few days at the most. Basically, the only thing to watch out for are specimens manufactured between April 29, 2014 and May 24, 2019, which are at risk of damage to the fuel tank in an accident. Of course, this error cannot be eliminated by software, but by services.
The oldest examples of the Audi TT are currently already twenty-five years old, so despite the considerable quality, the ravages of time have already taken their toll. However, not in the case of corrosion, the resistance to it is also exemplary in this case. Photo: Audi
Source: TÜV
Petr Prokopec
All articles on Autoforum.cz are comments expressing the editor’s or author’s opinion. Except for articles marked as advertising, the content is not sponsored or similarly influenced by third parties.
2023-07-28 17:56:00
#bazaars #Audi #icon #dont #repay #bulletproof #reliability
