Suggestions on buying a used TT

[pezgoon]

Hey there all, I’m a member of the b7 A4 clan so I know what issues surround those cars, but I honestly know almost nothing about the TT’s, I’m wondering what things are there to look out for/expect, things to ask a find out if have been fixed or replaced when looking at used setups etc. any help would be great thanks.

Ps I’m looking at buying a Quattro convertible, not fwd or hardtop thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[harr2969]

There's an audi tt buyers guide that should help a lot - look around for that. Make sure you search for mk1/mk2/mk3 as appropriate.

[Ediblehotdog]

Your buying a car that will need 5k in maintenance that no one previously has done so once you do it gears and parts will break due to the age of the car. If your interested in a project then buy one. But I would get a car fax on it as well. People dial back miles and will try to steal your money. Keep your eyes open.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[pezgoon]

There's an audi tt buyers guide that should help a lot - look around for that. Make sure you search for mk1/mk2/mk3 as appropriate.

Thanks, wasn’t sure if one existed here and I couldn’t quite think of what it would be called, will dig for it!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[A6sport]

Your buying a car that will need 5k in maintenance that no one previously has done so once you do it gears and parts will break due to the age of the car. If your interested in a project then buy one. But I would get a car fax on it as well. People dial back miles and will try to steal your money. Keep your eyes open.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

What are you talking about? Are you the owner of a TT, which platform?

[jtanenbaum]

I bought a 2001 Roadster 4 months ago. Got a car fax to verify the miles. Even though it was very low miles, things dry out and need replacement.

You need to verify if the timing belt was changed. Don’t do that, and THEN you are looking at 5k to replace an engine. That might be the most important thing to confirm.

Other things to look out for:

Speakers and amplifier can fail. Not too hard a job to swap out.
Storage door between the seats tends to fail. Hard to find part used. I had mine but most older roadster have this part missing or not complete.
Rubber bits can rot on suspension. Bushings etc... not terribly expensive. Use a local mechanic not a dealership.
Shifting linkage. Once again able and bushings not expensive. Labor at a local shop should be ok.
My car had only 19k miles on it but the tires rotted out. If you get a low miles one, make sure the tires have been replaced.
The gauge display. Mine had a faulty lcd display and my fuel gauge read backwards. The fuel gauge piece was easy. The lcd, I still have to do but many companies can replace it. This is a known problem for mk1s.
Automatic windscreen. They used a belt that over time dries out and breaks so you will hear the motor, but replacing it can be a challenge.

I think that’s it.


Not a 5k bill if you prioritize the timing belt as the first thing to replace or confirm the seller has replaced.

[Ediblehotdog]

Yep, mk1 tt quattro. I blew the exhaust valves one week after buying it. I just got the last bit of parts, and did some head porting and manifold porting. It's all stock. I got a forge Intercooler and hoses but that doesnt do anything lol. I'm playing on going the maestro route for tuning, but I rebuilt the bottom end without replacing the rods. So I got to be careful haha

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[jtanenbaum]

Man, You are talking serious engine work. I did upgrade the metal water pump as opposed to the stock plastic. I will also get new bushings that will last longer than the current rubber pieces. Otherwise, stock as much as possible. Maybe dump the amplifier from Bose. I think a channel is fried. However, I paid for a car that had very low miles so the engine clutch have a lot of life in them with no mods needed. Good luck with the engine.

[Ediblehotdog]

Metal impeller's ftw. Mine has a 100k warranty w/ 3 years

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[pezgoon]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I have been reading every so often,this is much more useful info than I got in the beginning haha. I also found no buyers guide.

The rubber bits drying out im already aware of, I have a 2005.5 A4 and bought it with 39k last year, every rubber bit in the suspension is done for. I just haven’t had the drive (or money) to replace it all yet (went through a divorce last year) as I tend to do all my own work unless it’s something insurmountable (I replaced the timing belt on my A4 last year myself, so I only mean engine/trans internals)

This has all been very helpful, if there is any more info out there please let me know!

Also for the mileage you are picking these up at what sort of prices are you paying? Like what are these worth for low mileages higher mileage’s etc


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[jtanenbaum]

If it’s very clean and under 30 thousand miles, you will probably pay north of 8. I did a ton of searching on carguru and eBay. I found one for 10k with 19,000 miles on it.

[bb-tt]

Your buying a car that will need 5k in maintenance that no one previously has done so once you do it gears and parts will break due to the age of the car. If your interested in a project then buy one. But I would get a car fax on it as well. People dial back miles and will try to steal your money. Keep your eyes open.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Had my 2002 for 8 years just sold last month and got an Avant, not sure what would cost 5k I didn't spend that in all the time I owned including timing belt, alternator, suspension change and most of the normal upgrades. FWIW

[bb-tt]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I have been reading every so often,this is much more useful info than I got in the beginning haha. I also found no buyers guide.

The rubber bits drying out im already aware of, I have a 2005.5 A4 and bought it with 39k last year, every rubber bit in the suspension is done for. I just haven’t had the drive (or money) to replace it all yet (went through a divorce last year) as I tend to do all my own work unless it’s something insurmountable (I replaced the timing belt on my A4 last year myself, so I only mean engine/trans internals)

This has all been very helpful, if there is any more info out there please let me know!

Also for the mileage you are picking these up at what sort of prices are you paying? Like what are these worth for low mileages higher mileage’s etc


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Sold mine about a month ago for 3k with ~145k mile and a smashed qtr panel.
do a search for WAK-tt and Cincytt they have put out allot of useful info, also vortex has a pretty comprehensive section with just about everything you could want to know about a mk1 tt. PM me and when i get back in town i will send all all the data i have collected over the years. Good luck they are a fun little car.

[ShogunR32]

The ttfourm.co.uk is a gold mine for this platform. I learned a lot about the TT 225 there. I bought my amulet red coupe last year with 104k. Did the timing belt job and basic maintenance(fuel filter, plugs etc). The car runs great, the k04 turbo sounds great on the transverse compared to my old longitudinal 1.8t.