project 2003 Audi TT Mk1 1.8T Quattro - Gone!

[SiC]

These are the choices mostly what I'm deciding between:

£430 for Pilotsport 4

£480 for CrossClimate 2

£330 for Kumho

£363 for Toyo TR1

£366 for Rainsport

I have seen Eagle F1 for £360 too

 

I'm currently siding towards Rainsport as it should be a good mixed weather tyre while being £60 cheaper than PS4. Buuuut it's only 60 quid more for a tyre that is fantastic and pretty much class leading in the summer. 

CrossClimates are the sensible choice but that is getting a bit ridiculously expensive. Almost 50% of what I paid for the car!

Alternatively I could kill myself with £240 of black stuff

 

[RoverFolkUs]

Rainsport or pilotsport I'd say would both be pretty good choices to be honest. 

If the car is a long term keeper I'd go for the more expensive ones, if you are unlikely to keep it for very long I'd just go for the cheaper option

Any doubt about whether you'll regret not spending the £60 more, 99% of the time you wish you'd spent the £60 more! 

Remember that as soon as you have a fresh set of matching tyres the car will shit the bed or immediately pick up a non repairable puncture 🤣 by the law of sod - sorry!

Any Hankook's to consider just to muddy the waters further? I quite rate their tyres as well

[SiC]

Hankook is priced too close to the premium brands to be worth it imo. Same with Falken. Kumho is still a good chunk cheaper and I used to swear by them. Didn't find my last set to be that great though.

I've got the cambelt being done in 2 weeks. I wanted the tyres done after then because sods law. However one of the fronts is right on the edge of legality on the inner. Probably scrubbed down even quicker from the massively out tracking, even if it has only been a hundred miles or so.  

[Wgl2019]

I rate the Vredestein all season tyres, have them on my wife's car and have performed just as well as the Crossclimates I had on my Saab....... fair bit cheaper too.

£80 each from Camskill (excludes fitting)

 

[SiC]

New shoes time! Went with four Uniroyal Rainsports in the end. £350 fully fitted for four at home. I don't use Kwikfit out of principal or just but there is limits to what they'll try up selling when at it's done at home. Should be a decent tyre and the deciding factor was the home fitment as far less hassle hassle than going somewhere. 

I'm looking forward to giving them a run. Waiting for a pallet to be picked up though so I'll have to wait a bit more patiently.

I've also got a set of new cheapy centre caps to go on. I'll pop a dab of sealant on them to stop them coming back off as probably not the tightest of fits. 

Alloys are marked/scuffed/filthy so probably look odd having shiny caps 😂

[Split_Pin]

TT FREN!

I know that the one I'm picking up on Thursday needs 2 new back tyres so this has some really helpful advice. I'm glad it's a common size and not too pricey.

[SiC]

Cambelt, water pump and coolant done. Pretty much nothing else is needed now. Maybe Haldex fluid change when I get around to it.

Probably nothing else to report except if it (inevitably) blows up some point.

[SiC]

Did a few bits on the TT this weekend.

Firstly fit a radio. I bought a Pioneer SPH-10BT unit. There isn't an easy place to mount a phone in the TT Mk1. The air vents break when you try putting one on them and the windshield is miles away when using a screen mount. This has an inbuilt mount that acts as a primary control screen over Bluetooth. Audio and handsfree are sent back too. Not as swizz as Android Auto/Apple CarPlay but a lot cheaper.


Annoyingly Audi on this vintage don't put an Ignition Switched Live to the ISO connector. There is a screw connection that can be made from a terminal off the fusebox. So I wired one in with an in-line fuse holder.

The bottom trim under the steering column is easy to remove but a right bugger to get back on. Doesn't help that someone previously has bent up the mounting brackets.


Interior light sense wire I tapped into the cigarette lighter bulb wire. Then put the antenna amplifier power feed injector onto the antenna motor connection on the ISO.

You can get a loom adapter to do this but I decided to repin the cars ISO connector. One less adapter to cram behind the stereo and those three extra pins don't conflict with the rest of the standard connections.

Finally there is the standard pioneer connection to iso and BOSE amplifier to RCA line-out. This also has another switched wire to signal the amp to switch on.



The handsfree Microphone I was debating where to put. Usually I pull the pillar trim and put up top. However this age TT has a phone microphone already behind the instrument cluster. It's the square above the dash that everyone wonders what it is for. Designed for the old phone mounts this integrates and connects somewhere. I removed this standard microphone and stuck on the Pioneer mic. Less hassle than trying to get the OEM mic working and probably better quality too.

Also noticed that the cluster is date coded 2007. This means it must have been changed at some point. Possibly by Audi on the recall they did on their dodgy screens. I believe Watchdog did a big thing of it around that time.
Funny thing is, this replacement cluster still has gone dodgy too!


With it all fitted I changed the colour of the unit to red and matched the rest of the cars backlighting. I do like how this unit isn't over the top and in your face.
Only slight hassle is the phone mount requires the face plate to come off to extend it in/out. Bit of a crap design there and I wished you could just push it in.
It opens up fully and clears the radio door - just. There is a slight downwards tilt that I'll have to live with.


Crucially though the door still shuts to keep the OEM look and hide it away.


The water ingress has been bugging me for a while. I thought I sorted it with sealing up the wiring loom box in the scuttle and clearing the drains. However water was still getting in and making the floor sodden wet.

I hate soggy interiors. They smell awful and increase the humidity. Both make it unpleasant being in the car. After spending a good wedge recently on the cambelt/water pump/four tyres and wanting this car as a keeper, I need to get it finally sorted.

Firstly I pulled the foot well apart to get good access underneath. Then gave it another good session with the wet vac, squishing the foam and running overnight with the dehumidifier to try getting as much water out as possible.


To try solving the root cause, I handed Mrs SiC the hose pipe and ran it all over the windscreen. Eventually I started to get a trickle and then a good flow of water into the footwell between the body pressings. Blue roll is where it's pooling.


The only place I could think it is coming from is this bung that the bonnet release comes through. I didn't seal this up when I did the cable loom box (thing to the right) as it looked okay and would be a pain to do. But as I'm getting a leak, it's going to have to be done. I'm just hoping this has sorted it. If it doesn't, then the only other place is the windscreen seal hasn't been done right. Its not an original screen and doesn't look the best job done tbh. But I rather not have the windscreen replaced though.

I smeared automotive silicone sealant all around this bung. So hopefully it'll be sorted. I put all the interior back together in the hope/confidence it's now good.
With summer fast approaching, hopefully the very wet weather will reduce and hot days will finally fully dry out the interior.

[Split_Pin]

Glad you are finally getting it to where you want it to be.

[SiC]

Replaced the Haldex fluid in the Quattro system of the TT the other week. I couldn't find any history in the paperwork so presumably it's never been done in 136k miles?
It wasn't a bad job in the end. Filter is a pain to undo but not the worst job in the world.

These are the bits I bought. Cost under £50 including the tool.


I really ought to buy a low profile jack. Mine is too high to clear the exhaust and get under the diff carrier. I tried doing one side at a time but the car is stuff enough that the whole thing lifted. Put it on ramps but it was all sketchy as fuck lowering it.


I put axle stands (£5 for the pair from Amazon at the time 🫠) underneath the suspension to give some emergency fall arrest protection.


Haldex plug is just in front of the (rusty) diff carrier.


Filter is hidden but accessible with the special tool.


The old filter didn't look too bad to be honest.


Fluid itself was dirty but smelt fine (i.e. not burnt)



The new filter needed assembling. No real information online about this but after pulling apart the old one, I figured it fits like this together.


Refilling involves going through the drain hole and quickly putting the plug in after. I had the new plug all ready but when I went to pick it up, it fell off my socket. Then the tube fell out of the Haldex and started draining.
I quickly did what any man does faced with a leaking hole and plugged it with my finger.

Started it up and checked for leaks. Could hear the Haldex pump whirring away happy. Dropped it off the ramps as I realised it probably wouldn't clear then if I drove off.

Went for a drive and it all seemed happy.

The rear scraping when turning tight (e.g. out of a car park) has gone. But then it only did that when the fluid was cold anyway.

I've got another tube of oil coming (it was supposed to be here already) so I'll do another fluid change in a thousand miles or so once this lot has circulated around.

To be honest I reckon the filter is not an essential thing to change. It's a maintenance item every 40k on these earlier Haldex units (20k for the oil) but later it became a "for life" filter. If this is the original filter then it looked absolutely fine. I mean if the friction plates in the Haldex are starting to wear and clog the filter, there are bigger issues in the Haldex than the filter. As it's a sealed system, there shouldn't be contaminates getting in (unlike for example engine oil).

[SiC]

One of the big issues that has been bugging me on the TT is the drivers footwell keeps getting soaking wet.
I've been hunting the source for the last 10 months I've owned the car and has been infuriating that I couldn't find it. Anyway with my wife on hand with the compressed air and hose pipe, we've finally found it!! Before this I checked and fixed the usual suspects - wiring loom box, bonnet cable, pollen filter, door seals and I've even had the windscreen replaced (not because of it I should add). None of them were the problem.

I did a short video going through the areas and where mine was. Worded description after if you don't want to hear the sound of my voice.

It required stripping the footwell yet again to investigate where it was entering. Hateful job where ligaments get scratched up.



This time I stripped even more out.


Looking closer it was clear from the brown marks where the water streaming down when running a hose on the scuttle area.



We started looking under the scuttle area. Absolutely fine. Looking at where the water was coming from in the footwell, I reckoned it must be somewhere in the wheel arch. That required jacking it up and removing the wheel.

Running the hose pipe in the arch it started leaking inside again. Getting closer!


Looking closer at that area...



Cracked seam sealer! I've heard this being mentioned before but never seen a video or pictures where.

Scraped off as much as possible.


Then laverished seam sealer all over it.


Hopefully this is the end of my wet cabin. Possibly will become more of an issue for others as these cars get older.

[SiC]

The headlights on this always have been particularly useless. Having the usual cataracts of modern plastic lenses doesn't help here either.

I was supposed to be cleaning and prepping the Boxster for sale, however the intermittent heavy rain stopped that. So I decided to have a crack at these lights.

Armed with this flap wheel on a Lidl grinder (my only one with speed control)


And some G3 I bought ages ago


I set to work


After


Before


After


Always a very satisfying job and clear lights smartens up the front end on any car a lot.
I haven't put any sealer or lacquer on yet. There is a replacement headlamp for the passenger side coming this week. It's been missing the back light cover since I've had it. A replacement cover is £25 and a replacement light unit was £40.
Given a spider has made its home inside the front of the lamp, I reckoned it'll just be easier to replace it rather than pulling it apart.


Due to getting G3 compound everywhere, I had to wash the car. Mrs SiC suggested that I attacked the deteriorated paint on the passenger side rear wing. Given the last time I tried polishing a cars paint work was the Focus that turned out far worse, I was loathed to. But decided to get out my cheap DA and give it a go anyway...


That's in progress and you can see the bit by the window is how it was.
No after pictures as it got wet and dark again! Later on today I'll see for myself how badly I've devalued this further with my rubbish paintwork restoration skills. 🫣

[Split_Pin]

Good work on the lights, they look great. 

I hate using a DA. I usually end up wearing about 50% of the product.

[SiC]

20 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

. I usually end up wearing about 50% of the product.

Polishing wheel on a grinder with its purely rotary motion is even worse. Some how, some even managed on the back bumper. 🤣

[Marm Toastsmith]

I quite fancy one of these while they're affordable... how have you been getting on with yours?

[SiC]

It's been my go to car for most of the time. Put it this way, I'm considering selling my Boxster and MGB as they simply don't get used. 

What I like?

- cheap to buy (that said, I've spent it's value again getting major bits sorted)

- decent performance for the money (very nippy around town)

- very comfortable to sit in - seats are excellent 

- Heating & air-conditioning are both strong and effective 

- heated seats are powerful (a favourite with the missus)

- economy is reasonable - 30mpg around town and 35+ mpg on a run

- quattro bites into the tarmac hard. You can launch it from stationary/out a junction and it'll bite without wheelspin

- cruise control is easily fitted (if you have vagcom)

- cheap enough that I don't care too much if people dent it in car parks (still annoys me though) and thus stress-free

- decent stereo

- cocooned feeling (not to everyone's taste but I like feeling inside rather than on top of a car)

- robust feeling 

- feels somewhat premium even today (just go into something newer like a Focus MK2/etc and they just feel cruddy)

- parts are cheap and plentiful 

 

What I don't like?

 - needy cars. E.g. mine has pinged up the traction control light permanently now (used to be intermittent) for the brake pressure sensor

- awkward to work on (e.g. that sensor above is a right pain to get to on RHD)

- wipers are surprisingly slow. While often worn wiper linkage, they're not quick even when top fettle

- crap handling and numb steering. I mean it's acceptable to drive compared to humdrum cars but not coupé sports car worthy handling. Think of it as a GT car and you'll be happy. Not a patch on the Boxster for handling though 

- metal gear knob is either the hottest thing in the world, or the coldest

- steering is heavy. Normal for this age sports car but as a runaround it is noticeable 

- £395 per year tax does get a bit annoying

- headlights are a bit crap. Much better now I've polished them but they were never great even when the cars were new. TADIS. 

- gear ratios are rubbish. 6th is 3000rpm at 70mph and imo far too high for cruising. That said it does make it sprightly when you want to pass someone on a motorway. 2nd gear tops out at 50mph and 3rd gear at 70mph. So both a bit annoying if you're overtaking someone. A 30mph dawler you're going to have a 2nd->3rd gear change and 40mph you have to remember 3rd not 2nd. Boxster for example hits 70mph at the redline in 2nd.

 

What I wish I did differently?

I would have preferred an Auto. But the 1.8t auto is FWD only. As a winter beater, I want Quattro. 3.2 VR6 DSG would have been preferred but these often go not far off a MK2 3.2 VR6. While the MK2 isn't as striking a design, they are far better to drive and interiors are much nicer. Also generally more reliable too (compared to the MK1 at least). I'd also prefer the N/A responsiveness of the 3.2 VR6. 

I sometimes wonder if I should have got a 225. But they're more expensive to both buy and insure (50% extra for me). Plus more complicated under the bonnet (extra electric water pumps, extra intercoolers + piping, etc). They're also more likely to be bought by someone who will drive it harder (i.e. why buy a 180 when you can get more power with 225? type of person) and so more likely to be ragged to death. 180 is a smaller turbo so less lag and nipper around town.

 

TL;DR I've owned it 10 months and haven't changed it yet. I just jump in and go.

I may consider changing next year after winter just to try something different. 

Edited August 28, 2023 by SiC
Added extra HATES

[SiC]

The warm glow of this traction control light greets me on every start now. It used to only come on very occasionally. I guess it's wanting some attention again. Also have a blow from around a gasket or the Flexi on the exhaust. I've been ignoring that as it goes away when warmed up. But might get both things sorted soon. Especially as we get to autumn/winter and having working traction control is a very useful thing in bad weather.

 

[Marm Toastsmith]

1 hour ago, SiC said:

It's been my go to car for most of the time. Put it this way, I'm considering selling my Boxster and MGB as they simply don't get used. 

What I like?

- cheap to buy (that said, I've spent it's value again getting major bits sorted)

- decent performance for the money (very nippy around town)

- very comfortable to sit in - seats are excellent 

- Heating & air-conditioning are both strong and effective 

- heated seats are powerful (a favourite with the missus)

- economy is reasonable - 30mpg around town and 35+ mpg on a run

- quattro bites into the tarmac hard. You can launch it from stationary/out a junction and it'll bite without wheelspin

- cruise control is easily fitted (if you have vagcom)

- cheap enough that I don't care too much if people dent it in car parks (still annoys me though) and thus stress-free

- decent stereo

- cocooned feeling (not to everyone's taste but I like feeling inside rather than on top of a car)

- robust feeling 

- feels somewhat premium even today (just go into something newer like a Focus MK2/etc and they just feel cruddy)

- parts are cheap and plentiful 

 

What I don't like?

 - needy cars. E.g. mine has pinged up the traction control light permanently now (used to be intermittent) for the brake pressure sensor

- awkward to work on (e.g. that sensor above is a right pain to get to on RHD)

- wipers are surprisingly slow. While often worn wiper linkage, they're not quick even when top fettle

- crap handling and numb steering. I mean it's acceptable to drive compared to humdrum cars but not coupé sports car worthy handling. Think of it as a GT car and you'll be happy. Not a patch on the Boxster for handling though 

- metal gear knob is either the hottest thing in the world, or the coldest

- steering is heavy. Normal for this age sports car but as a runaround it is noticeable 

- £395 per year tax does get a bit annoying

- headlights are a bit crap. Much better now I've polished them but they were never great even when the cars were new. TADIS. 

 

What I wish I did differently?

I would have preferred an Auto. But the 1.8t auto is FWD only. As a winter beater, I want Quattro. 3.2 VR6 DSG would have been preferred but these often go not far off a MK2 3.2 VR6. While the MK2 isn't as striking a design, they are far better to drive and interiors are much nicer. Also generally more reliable too (compared to the MK1 at least). I'd also prefer the N/A responsiveness of the 3.2 VR6. 

I sometimes wonder if I should have got a 225. But they're more expensive to both buy and insure (50% extra for me). Plus more complicated under the bonnet (extra electric water pumps, extra intercoolers + piping, etc). They're also more likely to be bought by someone who will drive it harder (i.e. why buy a 180 when you can get more power with 225? type of person) and so more likely to be ragged to death. 180 is a smaller turbo so less lag and nipper around town.

 

TL;DR I've owned it 10 months and haven't changed it yet. I just jump in and go.

I may consider changing next year after winter just to try something different. 

Great info. Thanks.

I've seen more 225s advertised locally recently, I think I'd prefer a 180 for the reasons you mentioned. Also in two minds about whether I want a Quattro or would prefer the simplicity of FWD. Your comments make me think that it's worth having.

This is probably worth a look, just down the road: https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/2001-audi-tt-225-/1464395997

I'd love blue leather though.

I had a 140 bhp mk4 golf gti not long ago (pretty much the same 1.8t engine but in a milder state of tune) which was more than quick enough for me (although I missed the immediacy of an N/A engine, and the MGF I had after with a 1.8 VVC was much better in terms of power delivery). But the Golf handled OK, and I really enjoyed the comfort and refinement - it was an easy car to eat miles up in. I would hope a TT would be slightly more nimble and compact feeling, and perhaps slightly more exciting, or at least "special" feeling.

To tell the truth, having owned a couple of "proper" sports cars over the years, as well as quickish, fairly raw RWD stuff like an E30 325i (all of which ultimately were hard work as daily drivers) part of the appeal of the TT is that hopefully it's a bit easier to live with day to day. In theory I'd love a Porsche 911 but in reality I think I'd hate myself in it, feel very self conscious, and worried about ruining it. A TT would be more practical and less precious. My current "fun" runabout is a Micra K11, which I genuinely love, obviously a TT is going to better it in pretty much all respects, and on paper there shouldn't be any downsides (other than running costs and neediness) - the main thing from my point of view is that it's a car that is practical to use as transport.

Mainly I can't shake the thought that these have got to be on the up - they seem far too cheap at the moment compared to the rest of the market - and that if I don't buy one soon I'll miss the boat. It's probably only a sensible purchase if I manage to keep it long enough for values to rise though, and my previous form is not good on that score!

TL;DR I wonder how much my kids would complain about the back seat.

[SiC]

31 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

I've seen more 225s advertised locally recently, I think I'd prefer a 180 for the reasons you mentioned.

The other big thing for me that I forgot was that the 180 was Clean Air Zone (and ULEZ) compliant from pretty much 2001 (i.e. new style registration plates). Where as the 225 is only from around the ~2003 point. Some earlier were okay and some later were not around then - depending when they were manufactured. 

With Bristol CAZ near me, I needed to get something compliant and free to enter. The 180 made that a lot easier as more to chose from.

[SiC]

49 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

I had a 140 bhp mk4 golf gti not long ago (pretty much the same 1.8t engine but in a milder state of tune) which was more than quick enough for me (although I missed the immediacy of an N/A engine, and the MGF I had after with a 1.8 VVC was much better in terms of power delivery). But the Golf handled OK, and I really enjoyed the comfort and refinement - it was an easy car to eat miles up in. I would hope a TT would be slightly more nimble and compact feeling, and perhaps slightly more exciting, or at least "special" feeling.

To tell the truth, having owned a couple of "proper" sports cars over the years, as well as quickish, fairly raw RWD stuff like an E30 325i (all of which ultimately were hard work as daily drivers) part of the appeal of the TT is that hopefully it's a bit easier to live with day to day. In theory I'd love a Porsche 911 but in reality I think I'd hate myself in it, feel very self conscious, and worried about ruining it. A TT would be more practical and less precious. My current "fun" runabout is a Micra K11, which I genuinely love, obviously a TT is going to better it in pretty much all respects, and on paper there shouldn't be any downsides (other than running costs and neediness) - the main thing from my point of view is that it's a car that is practical to use as transport.

They're definitely a lot stiffer than a Mk4 Golf. But then they're a bit of a rolly poly blancmange. The TT isn't terrible and for most people it'll be perfectly fine. If I've driven it for a while, I get used to it. But as soon as I jump in the Boxster its a "Oh yeah, you can tell the difference". Also being AWD, if you loose it, you're pretty much at/beyond the limit and a four wheel skid is not much fun (on public roads).

Before I had the TT as a runaround, I had a Mk2 Focus and before that a Fabia Mk1 1.4. A bit like you with your Micra. While both perfectly competent cars to drive and could be hustled around corners pretty well, the TT is far superior. Its a car I comfortably take long distances while the Focus/Fabia were just hard work in comparison. Being able to drop a few cogs and overtake dawdlers with ease is extremely useful. 

Which reminds me of another hate of the TT - the gear ratios. 6th is 3000rpm at 70mph and imo far too high for cruising. That said it does make it sprightly when you want to pass someone on a motorway. 2nd gear tops out at 50mph and 3rd gear at 70mph. So both a bit annoying if you're overtaking someone. A 30mph dawler you're going to have a 2nd->3rd gear change and 40mph you have to remember 3rd not 2nd. Boxster for example hits 70mph at the redline in 2nd.

56 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Mainly I can't shake the thought that these have got to be on the up - they seem far too cheap at the moment compared to the rest of the market - and that if I don't buy one soon I'll miss the boat. It's probably only a sensible purchase if I manage to keep it long enough for values to rise though, and my previous form is not good on that score!

They made and sent over to the UK absolutely loads of the things. Many were bought as special cars at the time (they were expensive new!) and kept by their owners. Likewise people put money into them as they liked them. Thats why there are still so many about. However the numbers are dwindling rapidly in the UK. 

You can see on the Facebook groups the envy that the Americans and even Europeans have on our cheap TTs. They can't understand how we pretty much give decent running+driving examples away. Then how cheap the parts are sold when broken for parts. Its really not uncommon here in the UK for a TT to be scrapped/broken for parts over something like needing a new clutch or even a wheel bearing.

I don't think prices will rise for a while though. While not a design icon, the Mk2 is not far off price wise and for most its seen as a "newer car" and thus worth more. It might change eventually but there is still a lot of Mk1 to be sent to the crusher before then.

Hardest thing is actually finding one that has been looked after and not been butchered with mods.

1 hour ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

TL;DR I wonder how much my kids would complain about the back seat.

This could be the biggest sticking point for you! Depending on how long their legs are and how long yours are with needing to put the front seat backwards. There isn't a whole lot of room back there!

[Marm Toastsmith]

13 minutes ago, SiC said:

 

This could be the biggest sticking point for you! Depending on how long their legs are and how long yours are with needing to put the front seat backwards. There isn't a whole lot of room back there!

 

They can always get the bus. And it wouldn't be our only car.

[SiC]

8 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

They can always get the bus. And it wouldn't be our only car.

Do it!

 

1 hour ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

This is probably worth a look, just down the road: https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/2001-audi-tt-225-/1464395997

I think thats definitely worth a look. It looks reasonably well looked after and the stuff done already are big expensive plus points. That said, not sure why it needed a new head - unless the belt snapped and they had it done with a new cambelt. 

The fact the dash screen has all its pixels means someone has bothered to do that. Most of the time (including me!) its not bothered with as it doesn't affect the car. But if someone is prepared to spend out on that, hopefully they have been prepared to spend out on other bits too.

Exhaust is annoying but presumably one of those things they're living with (a bit like mine). Fuel gauge reading half is a bit more annoying though. That can be the dashboard clocks or often is the senders in the tank failing. As its quattro, its a saddle tank (like a BMW) and there are two senders. One failing can cause it to read half. Not too tricky to change.

Aftermarket turbo intake pipe (TIB pipe) would usually put me off, but they do split. A silicon pipe is far cheaper and more durable than the original black. Also they've kept the original airbox, so presumably its stock otherwise.

Price is reasonable and I bet you might even be able to knock a bit more off too.

[Marm Toastsmith]

25 minutes ago, SiC said:

That said, not sure why it needed a new head - unless the belt snapped and they had it done with a new cambelt. 

Just dropped him a line. Apparently head was replaced a year ago following HGF which warped the original head...

Other bits were done for MOT (April). Clutch last month.

He's unlikely to be making a profit...

[SiC]

11 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

He's unlikely to be making a profit...

Its best to enter TT Mk1 ownership with that in mind!

[SiC]

On 16/11/2022 at 22:33, SiC said:

A bit of thread resurrection!

After the debacle trying to buy one from here, It knocked the wind and enthusiasm knocked right out of me for cars. Still does too tbh, especially posting on forums.

Anyway one came up really local and in an hours lunch break I've bought lunch, eaten lunch and bought a car. Not quite a record for me but close! I wanted a 225 or 3.2 V6 but this literally was down the road from me and an easy buy. Still quattro and the 180 has the advantages of simpler under the bonnet - less intercoolers, no extra electric water pump, stuff like that. Also they're all CAZ which makes things easier. It's not exactly a car for life either.

Needs wheel alignment, exhaust blows (£120 from ECP/similar) and dash has done the usual Audi pixel thing (still usable though). Thermostat may need doing but blows hot so maybe just the dash (another known issue). Could do with a service. Paint is in decent condition. Back rear wing lacquer is cloudy and a scuff.

Was up for £1250 and paid £1050. Don't think I did too bad. Especially in this market for a 180bhp AWD vehicle.

Link for the eBay advert while it's still around: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334628721684



 

It's been over a year since I bought this! I meant to post on the day but a week of food poisoning knocked me for six. 

Anyway what is there to report?

Done 6k miles or so since purchase. 

Service light is now on. Makes sense as a year after I did the sump drop and oil pickup change along with an oil change.

Front drivers heated seat burnt a hole through the leather. Literally with smoke and everything. I think the element cover has failed. Really irritating as the heated seat is a perk of this car. I'll probably find a second hand seat as they go pretty cheap. New Audi heated mat is about £250 where as a second hand seat can be had for half. Seat bolsters are ripping a hole through too, so no big loss.

Our main fridge freezer broke. I picked up an emergency cheapy off Facebook marketplace. With the seats down it fitted perfectly! No pics in car as I forgot. But just a standard 60cm under counter job. Still, these cars are more practical than many other small coupés.

 

Currently the recently acquired Merc is my main runaround as auto. Shame I couldn't get a TT auto as would be so much nicer for the running around. The TT is far easier to park than the Merc as so much smaller.

Went on holiday the last few days to Conwy in this. Incredibly pretty place and well worth going.  

I chose the TT as Quattro is handy in cold/icy weather. Also a bit more fun to drive around Welsh mountain roads than a barge. The 35+ mpg is a bonus over the sub 30mpg of the Merc. That's on regular unleaded too - super gets more mpg and more power.

Absolutely filthy right now. Ought to wash it but CBA as my beater car.

Did the job just fine. A few issues came up along the way.

That exhaust leak that it's had from the beginning usually seals once up to temperature. However with this cold weather and long downhill stretches, it becomes apparent again. Apart from the ticking blowing noise, you get occasional whiffs of fumes in the cabin. At least I think it's this car - tbf I was in a queue and could have been the car infront.

Interior fan has started to squeak at lower speed settings. I can't stress how annoying this is on a long drive. Speeding it up seems to shut it. However I suspect the fan is giving me warning it's starting to fail. Every VAG vehicle I've owned has had to have needed a new fan or resistor in my ownership. Looking at videos, it appears a piece of cake to replace. Glove box out, couple of torx and then just pulls out.

Car battery is getting weak but then it was last year. Seems to start fine but struggles a bit. Dash needles reset themselves which suggests a low voltage situation.

Finally the drivers door squeaks loudly when opening. Not major but no idea why it has decided to start doing now. Maybe the cold?

Feels like jobs are starting to build up again. Heated seat broken, exhaust leak, oil change service, rear tyres are wearing down and front brakes work just fine but look pretty crap with uneven wear on the disc. All stuff I should sort but don't have much inclination to right now. Nearly hit 140k miles and clutch is probably original. Again works fine but need to keep in mind that may go and be sensible with purchases on this.

MOT is up in March. Back brake pipes may need doing then too. All being well my plan is to sell it then (along with my MGB GT) with a fresh ticket and get something a bit newer. BMW Z4 Coupé is at the top of the list right now. 

[SiC]

I think I'm going to sell this. MOT is due on the 27th Feb and its booked in for the 8th Feb. However there is something that has caught my eye and I'm quite tempted. But one-in-one-out means I need to sell this before hand. So may chuck it up cheap while its got 5 weeks MOT left.

Its been thoroughly dependable and I throughly trust it for all journeys - like my 500+ mile round trip to Conwy I did the other month in it. There are a few annoying issues that have mounted up but nothing that stops it being used safely as a car. I've just had it over a year now, bored and fancy a change. Maybe even sell my E320 too and go back to a singular modern. The amount I spend on cars is ridiculous (excluding purchase price, I'm into five figures every year in expenses), especially given the miles I do in them.

Did an oil change on it though today and took far longer than it should have done.

Went with 5W-40 instead of 5W-30 as apparently these 1.8t much prefer it. £15.89 after eBay discount code and then another £10 for a Mahle filter from Amazon next day order. So cheap enough.

Right pain in the arse to get to the oil filter. I removed all the plastics as I find it easier to get through the top. Still a right arse to get to.

Black thing in the middle here

 

I decided to suck out the oil as I cleaned the sump last year with a new oil pickup tube, so I knew there was no sludge. 

First attempt was to use this Aldi oil extractor pump for the first time that I bought a few years ago. Absolute load of crap and barely sucked out 500ml in 10 mins running.

So grabbed my old Pela and used that instead. Except this has a slight air leak, so I was constantly pumping the vacuum.

Did it in the end but took a good hour and half which is far longer than a oil change should take.

I sucked it out the dipstick tube thinking it would be quicker than jacking it up. Tbh by the time I had faffed around, I could have done it far quicker out the sump plug.

Its all done now though. I've given it a run and I just need to go check the level. Then reset the service indicator on the dash.

 

[grogee]

16 minutes ago, SiC said:

I think I'm going to sell this. MOT is due on the 27th Feb and its booked in for the 8th Feb. However there is something that has caught my eye and I'm quite tempted. But one-in-one-out means I need to sell this before hand. So may chuck it up cheap while its got 5 weeks MOT left.

Its been thoroughly dependable and I throughly trust it for all journeys - like my 500+ mile round trip to Conwy I did the other month in it. There are a few annoying issues that have mounted up but nothing that stops it being used safely as a car. I've just had it over a year now, bored and fancy a change. Maybe even sell my E320 too and go back to a singular modern. The amount I spend on cars is ridiculous (excluding purchase price, I'm into five figures every year in expenses), especially given the miles I do in them.

Did an oil change on it though today and took far longer than it should have done.

Went with 5W-40 instead of 5W-30 as apparently these 1.8t much prefer it. £15.89 after eBay discount code and then another £10 for a Mahle filter from Amazon next day order. So cheap enough.

Right pain in the arse to get to the oil filter. I removed all the plastics as I find it easier to get through the top. Still a right arse to get to.

Black thing in the middle here

 

I decided to suck out the oil as I cleaned the sump last year with a new oil pickup tube, so I knew there was no sludge. 

First attempt was to use this Aldi oil extractor pump for the first time that I bought a few years ago. Absolute load of crap and barely sucked out 500ml in 10 mins running.

So grabbed my old Pela and used that instead. Except this has a slight air leak, so I was constantly pumping the vacuum.

Did it in the end but took a good hour and half which is far longer than a oil change should take.

I sucked it out the dipstick tube thinking it would be quicker than jacking it up. Tbh by the time I had faffed around, I could have done it far quicker out the sump plug.

Its all done now though. I've given it a run and I just need to go check the level. Then reset the service indicator on the dash.

 

If it's any consolation I did the other method today. I constructed a sophisticated* cardboard windbreak then placed the catch can on a spacer (used 5l container) to minimise 'drip-blow' (it's windy here). 

The catch can fell over and tipped about 3 litres of used oil on the drive. 

I probably spent an hour rushing about with old rags and brake cleaner to mop up the worst of it but yeah, that's gonna stain big time. 

So maybe you did better in the end. 

[SiC]

3 minutes ago, grogee said:

If it's any consolation I did the other method today. I constructed a sophisticated* cardboard windbreak then placed the catch can on a spacer (used 5l container) to minimise 'drip-blow' (it's windy here). 

The catch can fell over and tipped about 3 litres of used oil on the drive. 

I probably spent an hour rushing about with old rags and brake cleaner to mop up the worst of it but yeah, that's gonna stain big time. 

So maybe you did better in the end. 

There is an Exxon Valdez puddle of oil in the undertray and under the car where the downwards facing oil filter was dripping while I tried to get the new one on! I need to move the car and brake clean that up in a minute. 😑

[SiC]

MOT is tomorrow 🤞

Drove it into work. I might have to go round the car park a few times to make this roll over though. 

 

The left headlight has been missing it's back cover since I've owned the car. It was actually cheaper to get a complete used light than the back cover. To get the light cover on, it is a battery out job to not cut up your hand, so haven't got around to it.

Anyway I noticed that bugs have got into the light and killed themselves presumably from the heat. Inside wasn't particularly clean after no doubt years of environmental grime getting in with the cover missing.

Given I have a whole new light unit (where someone has put a new headlight adjuster motor in to replace the commonly temperamental ones), it made sense to replace it.

It's supposed to be a bumper off job as you need access to a bolt inside the grille. However I couldn't be bothered jacking the car up and risking scratching the bumper up. So decided to take the grille off instead.

This is the bolt you need access to.

 

It was a right fight to get this out, especially the connector was seized on. 

 

After a fight it was out. 

New headlight looks the same and reassembly was the opposite of removal. 

I'm not sure if it's aligned properly but that'll be picked up on the MOT tomorrow anyway. I suspect the lights are a bit high anyway since having all the springs replaced last year (it was a mix of wrong springs). So fully expect it to be failed and need adjustment for the MOT. 

[Split_Pin]

I buggered up polishing my lights and they went really cloudy instead 😩

Good luck with the MOT tomorrow.