Refugee from the A6/S6 forum needs some TT advice
12-24-2004, 10:48 AM
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Refugee from the A6/S6 forum needs some TT advice
Looking for advice on acquisition of a TT roadster. The S6 forum has links to good FAQ, do you folks?
I want to add a solid TT daily driver to the stable. What year? What powerplant? Any issues with the roadster? Preferred options/packages? What are the weak items to watch out for, etc. etc.
TIA/SCAR
Current Audi fleet:
01 A6 4.2
92 S4
91 200 Avant
I want to add a solid TT daily driver to the stable. What year? What powerplant? Any issues with the roadster? Preferred options/packages? What are the weak items to watch out for, etc. etc.
TIA/SCAR
Current Audi fleet:
01 A6 4.2
92 S4
91 200 Avant
12-24-2004, 11:02 AM
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Well, you'll be looking at 1.8T's in either 180 or 225 configurations...
There's stage 3 availiable for the 180, and much more tuning options for it, but if you're not looking to go crazy, that won't matter.
The 225's have 6-speeds while the 180's have 5. Also, all of the 225's have HID's.
Instrument clusters, coilpacks, and MAF's are common items to take a dive on all of them -- the latter two being pretty common to all 1.8T's.
Hope that helps...
The 225's have 6-speeds while the 180's have 5. Also, all of the 225's have HID's.
Instrument clusters, coilpacks, and MAF's are common items to take a dive on all of them -- the latter two being pretty common to all 1.8T's.
Hope that helps...
12-24-2004, 01:52 PM
#5
My rundown:
You have four Roadster choices:
- 180hp FWD
- 180hp quattro
- 225hp quattro
- 250hp quattro (the 250 generally referred to as the 3.2)
Details:
The early-build cars were 180hp (2000MY), with 225s arriving in the 2001MY. Power-operated roofs were optional on 180hp cars; standard on 225s and 3.2s. 2003-2004MY 180hp cars were only available with Tiptronic; prior to that, 180s were 5-speed. All 225s come with 6-speed only. The 3.2 comes with the trick DSG transmission. 2004 was the first year for the 250/3.2.
Motor:
Though they have the same displacment for the transverse-mounted 1.8L motor, there are substantial and compelling differences between the actual motors. Block, heads, rods, crowns, intake direction, etc. - all are different between the 225hp and 180hp cars, with the 225 being much reinforced. The 225 is also twin-sequential intercooled. The 3.2 is a 3.2L single-head transverse-mounted V6. The DSG gearbox is widely regarded as an awesome bit of technology, with twin output shafts and clutchpacks.
Modding:
If you're into serious modding, you have more options with the 180, but both this motor and the 225 have plenty of mod parts. There are simply no cost-per-HP-effective Stage-III upgrades for the 225, with most costing $10K+ and having limited distribution/support; there are a few 180hp Stage-III kits in the $5K range. The 3.2 less moddable due to being naturally aspirated, being shoehorned into the front of the car, and with the strength of the DSG gearbox... even for simple things like lowering (the sump sits low in the chassis, making lowering difficult). Nevertheless, all cars are moddable and the 3.2 will catch up, eventually.
Me?
I have a 225hp Roadster. I use it as my daily driver in Seattle (rain), and have had no problems whatsoever (Married, no kids, desk job, wife has sedan (A4)). In fact, we love it so much, I think I'll always have a Roadster/convertible, probably as my daily driver. I have the top down most of the time (see my posts about same on the thread above this one), the top doesn't leak, the visibility is good, and the car is quite warm with seat heaters. The car can easily carry enough bags for long-weekend road trips, and longer-term trips if you economize when packing. We make several long trips in the car each year and it works very well.
Other Notes:
- common problems with these cars, so far, include: recurring gauge cluster malfunctions (serious, b/c it contains the immobilizer and will leave you stranded); coil pack problems (the Audi menace), gear grinding in both the 5 and 6-speed cars;
- The FWD cars have much deeper trunks, which is a significant issue for many instances. Forget about being a golfer with a Roadster; most golf bags will not fit in the back, and you're certainly not getting two bags back there
Bottom Line:
Roadsters as daily drivers are completely doable! I love it, even more than I thought I would. I never regretted my decision! Hope this helps.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/43649/picture_054.jpg">
- 180hp FWD
- 180hp quattro
- 225hp quattro
- 250hp quattro (the 250 generally referred to as the 3.2)
Details:
The early-build cars were 180hp (2000MY), with 225s arriving in the 2001MY. Power-operated roofs were optional on 180hp cars; standard on 225s and 3.2s. 2003-2004MY 180hp cars were only available with Tiptronic; prior to that, 180s were 5-speed. All 225s come with 6-speed only. The 3.2 comes with the trick DSG transmission. 2004 was the first year for the 250/3.2.
Motor:
Though they have the same displacment for the transverse-mounted 1.8L motor, there are substantial and compelling differences between the actual motors. Block, heads, rods, crowns, intake direction, etc. - all are different between the 225hp and 180hp cars, with the 225 being much reinforced. The 225 is also twin-sequential intercooled. The 3.2 is a 3.2L single-head transverse-mounted V6. The DSG gearbox is widely regarded as an awesome bit of technology, with twin output shafts and clutchpacks.
Modding:
If you're into serious modding, you have more options with the 180, but both this motor and the 225 have plenty of mod parts. There are simply no cost-per-HP-effective Stage-III upgrades for the 225, with most costing $10K+ and having limited distribution/support; there are a few 180hp Stage-III kits in the $5K range. The 3.2 less moddable due to being naturally aspirated, being shoehorned into the front of the car, and with the strength of the DSG gearbox... even for simple things like lowering (the sump sits low in the chassis, making lowering difficult). Nevertheless, all cars are moddable and the 3.2 will catch up, eventually.
Me?
I have a 225hp Roadster. I use it as my daily driver in Seattle (rain), and have had no problems whatsoever (Married, no kids, desk job, wife has sedan (A4)). In fact, we love it so much, I think I'll always have a Roadster/convertible, probably as my daily driver. I have the top down most of the time (see my posts about same on the thread above this one), the top doesn't leak, the visibility is good, and the car is quite warm with seat heaters. The car can easily carry enough bags for long-weekend road trips, and longer-term trips if you economize when packing. We make several long trips in the car each year and it works very well.
Other Notes:
- common problems with these cars, so far, include: recurring gauge cluster malfunctions (serious, b/c it contains the immobilizer and will leave you stranded); coil pack problems (the Audi menace), gear grinding in both the 5 and 6-speed cars;
- The FWD cars have much deeper trunks, which is a significant issue for many instances. Forget about being a golfer with a Roadster; most golf bags will not fit in the back, and you're certainly not getting two bags back there
Bottom Line:
Roadsters as daily drivers are completely doable! I love it, even more than I thought I would. I never regretted my decision! Hope this helps.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/43649/picture_054.jpg">
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