EighTT

When I say "hard-core", I mean intense twisties. I think one sign showed twisties for the next 22 miles and another showed 18 straight miles of twisties.

Part of this was for the sport of it, another part was to put the 225q roadster through the paces, and the final part was a search for good driving routes for the SoCal TT Club.

For those familiar with the area. I started east on 76. Then, I cut north on 79 past Mount Palomar and past a ton of little towns I had never heard of. Then it was 371 through the Anza desert, and past Idyllwild. The most unmemorable leg was 74 west through Hemet (yuck), Perris (double yuck), and Lake Elsinor. The final leg was west on the Ortega Highway, over the mountains to San Juan Capistrano, a great Mexican Dinner at Olamendi's on PCH, finally back home to San Diego.

The temperature was mostly in the mid-90s, and the bugs smashed on my grill was over 100 (yes, I washed it when I got home).

As much as I hate to say it, the 225 roadster just doesn't handle like my 180 FWD did. On sharp turns at only moderate speeds, I got that scary feeling that I know I wouldn't have experienced with the FWD under the same circumstances. In the FWD TT, I sincerely believed that very few drivers would have a chance of beating me in the twisties. In my 225q roadster, I do not have anywhere near that level of confidence. Some would say this is good, not me though.

Obviously, acceleration is much better, but I did notice a decent drop off in power as the mercury climbed. Still, power remained strong even at temps over 95 degrees F.

There's something about a droptop that really brings an extra dimension to the driving experience. The TT roadster is still a very enjoyable car to drive, and it gets a ton of looks. However, it's now more of a Grand Touring cruiser than a hard-edged sports car that eats up the twisties. I might also add that I am not unhappy with my roadster, and I do not regret the purchase.

Still, I wish I could get that handling edge back. And before BarTT or someone starts on me about the whole roadster vs. coupe thing, be aware that I am in contact with other 225 coupe owners, who are sharing the same sentiments.<p><img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/1.jpg" border="0">

<B>Brad Willis</B>

<FONT COLOR="#FF6600">2001 225q TT Roadster
No Borla
No Garrett
No Stickers</FONT>

<A HREF="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds">SoCal Audi TT Club</A>

Lloyd of the Rings

<p>ChrisTTopher Lloyd

2000 Silver/Ebony 180TTQ
All packages except phone

EighTT

<p><img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/1.jpg" border="0">

<B>Brad Willis</B>

<FONT COLOR="#FF6600">2001 225q TT Roadster
No Borla
No Garrett
No Stickers</FONT>

<A HREF="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds">SoCal Audi TT Club</A>

Bracketracer

After driving a 180Q coupe(Mk I) and a 225Q Coupe(Mk II) back to back, I felt that there was just no comparison in the handling department. The 180 was just on a knife edge, no waiting for the car to take a decent set into a turn. Throw it into a quick lane change and it responds, do the same with the 225 and start the stopwatch waiting for the suspension to do its job. On the upshot, if you want ample warning of breakaway in the form of tire squeal, then the Mk II suspension is the way to go. If you want to stick hard up til about 8/10ths and then test your own limits for the final 2/10ths, I highly recommend tuning your suspension toward the Mk I setup.

Final word: give me a Mk I 180Q, chipped and exhausted and I'll have a good time finding the limits without Audi's help.

Jason Dale

Just Plain Cliff

I have said this to you privately before, lower that sucker, and have some fun...I know that's where you'll wind up eventually. Just too much to pass up! Screw the warranty--full steam ahead. Besides, if you can afford the car--I know you can afford to fix it if something occurs that Audi denies warranty on because you have tweaked the vehicle. Come on, slide along the razor's edge. You'll have company, :-)<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3177"><img src="http://members.home.net/cmelick/audipics/sig6.jpg" border="0" alt="Click Image to View Registry Information"></a>

Just Plain Cliff

<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3177"><img src="http://members.home.net/cmelick/audipics/sig6.jpg" border="0" alt="Click Image to View Registry Information"></a>

Bracketracer

Figured you'd like that one, now all I have to do is win a race and I'll be happy :-)

Jurgen

Why don't you ask your contact at AoA, if Audi is going to do the same thing in the US?<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/jk.jpg" border="0" alt=" "></a>

EighTT

There are a number of us putting our heads together both here on the forum, and behind the scenes, trying to fix the Mark II. Coilovers may well be part of the solution, but as much as I look forward to reading your comments, I'd rather read coilover comments from a Mark II owner. That's the suspension that needs fixing, in my view. Still, I'm sure that it will be a big improvement for you as well.

As time goes by, I am agreeing more and more with Jason. The driver's car IS a Mark I quattro, chipped. Anything else is gravy. The 225 has potential, but we need to figure out how to undo what Audi has done (thanks Audi!).<p><img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/1.jpg" border="0">

<B>Brad Willis</B>

<FONT COLOR="#FF6600">2001 225q TT Roadster
No Borla
No Garrett
No Stickers</FONT>

<A HREF="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds">SoCal Audi TT Club</A>

Just Plain Cliff

<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3177"><img src="http://members.home.net/cmelick/audipics/sig6.jpg" border="0" alt="Click Image to View Registry Information"></a>