TTmini

don't Timing belt changes in 1.8Ts make up for the difference in cost between a 1.8T and a 3.2? i decided to pick up a used 2005 3.2 in great condition last month. i used to have a 180 1.8T 2002 TT. i know the belt needs to be changed at least every 50,000-60,000 miles. so if someone kept the car for 150,000 miles at $1,500 a TB change thats a $4,500 difference just to be able to own and maintain a 1.8T motor. for that $$ you could get a 3.2 with the fantastic DSG. am i wrong in my thinking?

hali410-Brunei

Does the 3.2 use a timing belt (toothed belt)? As far as I know its a chain driven instead of the belt....

TTmini

right...thats what im saying. the chain in the 3.2 is maintenance free for the life of the engine. so once you "buy" the 3.2 engine, besides oil changes, thats it on cost unless something goes wrong. but if you get the 1.8T you inherit a mandatory $4500 cost not even including oil changes and if anything breaks. so in theory over time the 3.2 is cheaper or the same factoring in gas costs too.

SlapTTy

1) I paid about $700 for my last timing belt change.

2) My VR6 had a chain guide disintegrate which, in turn, blew up that engine so I'm not so sure having a timing chain is truly "maintenence free."

Just my 2 centavos.

K.Candiotti

too bad no one makes a timing chain conversion kit for the 1.8 TT eh?

Vegas-roadster

I would never own a 3.2 roadsTTer nor any of the Mk II roadsTTers because they don't even have a donut spare. Once you leave LV you are in miles and miles of nothing and run-flats only lasting 50 miles are of no help. Discussed this with the Audi folks at last year's TTW and they had not considered the impact of having a flat in Yellowstone. You are talking DAYS of of being disabled.

hali410-Brunei

The new 2.0TFSi engines are timing chain....

TTmini

I was not aware the 2.0 had a chain! thats awesome! honestly i love that engine, and would trade my 3.2 anyday for the 2.0T. but not so much the 1.8T. my 180TT 2002 had a sludge problem and a bad head gasket at 60,000 miles.

MaxHedrm

The 2.0T has a sludge problem on the opposite end. The valves get all kinds of crudded up.

rowdyzombie

Hi, yah when I got my 04 3.2tt the chain was a major consideration. The chain should last a very long time...probably 150-200K miles. That should make a huge savings over the life of a car. Plus, engine is straightforward and much less vacuum hoses, n249 valves, dv's etc.

The very end of 08 VW GTI's and later had the TFSI engine which had a timing chain. When I was selling VW's last year it was a big selling point for it. 3.2 is solid engine...