Article Comments - 2008 Audi TT Roadster First Drive

15 messages, Last post on Feb 18, 2008 at 9:22 PM

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Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Audi TT Roadster - While it's still not a true open-top sports car, the TT's astonishing style and quality make it a more grown-up proposition than its rivals. (more)

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#6 of 15 Re: Article Comments: 2008 Audi TT Roadster First Drive [byronwalter] by audiguyinnc Mar 07, 2007 (3:47 pm)
Replying to: byronwalter (Dec 19, 2006 12:19 pm) You really have to drive this vehicle before ruling out the S-tronic. This system is far more capable of the performance aspects that everyone thinks it doesn't have because it is an automatic. And now for 2008 we have launch control, magnetic ride, and we are using an Space Frame for the TT. This is the same frame that we use on the A8L. 40% more rigid then steel and weighs 48% less then a steel body would.
#7 of 15 Re: Article Comments: 2008 Audi TT Roadster First Drive [blue330xi] by allhorizon Mar 24, 2007 (12:03 am)
Replying to: blue330xi (Dec 18, 2006 6:57 pm) By looking at the pictures on the audiusa.com site I can see the engine is tranverse mount like the A3 not longitudinal like the A4. What this says to me is that rather then quattro based on the torsen center differential, they likely used the Haldex system. Of course I could be wrong and they may have made a new power take off unit, but I doubt it. While Haldex may be loved by VW, Volvo, and Ford, most drivers dont like the FWD to AWD clutch pack based system as it initaly understeers and is not a true full time AWD... Yes, like the previous generation, it is Haldex. However, I strongly disagree with your statements that "most drivers don't like it" or that it initially understeers. The R32 and A3 are also Haldex based and do just fine with a halfway competent driver. With Haldex, the main difference to Torsen under 90% of driving is that you have to commit during the curve, you can't waffle. It will react a bit more strongly to gas input changes --- which you can also use to your advantage (inducing a slight lift-throttle oversteer). It will not understeer initially, but at the limit if you don't drive it correctly - like most cars. And then, under extreme slippery driving conditions, Haldex can basically lock the center diff and will (then) always be superior to TorSen. BTW, "quattro" is a marketing expression that encompasses both systems.
#8 of 15 engine, tranny, & overall reliability by mrhupmobile Apr 02, 2007 (5:53 pm)
Wife very interested in this car. How reliable is the engine, tranny(auto), and entire car in general? As good as the Lexus??? Thanks in advance for your honest replies. Bob H.
#9 of 15 Thumbs up for the Audi TT 2.0 Roadster by floridacarwiz May 01, 2007 (1:02 am)
I drove two cars this weekend; a 2001 Aston Matin V12 Volante and a 2008 Audi TT 2.0 Turbo. Whereas the Aston was very slow to respond to both steering and throttle inputs... it took 1.5 seconds for the car to realize that the accelerator was floored... the one-third sized Audi engine and S-Tronic tranny in the sport mode was super responsive and the automobile was very fast. The Aston had 24,000+ miles on it and was in pretty good shape... asking price $70,000. The TT had 16 miles on it and the way I want it configured it will be in the $43,000 range. I thought hard about both cars, but I am going to go with the TT. It just did everything and felt so right. I plan on enhancing the performance of the TT, and feel that close to 300HP is not out of the question. I'll keep the forum posted on my progress. Replies to this message: billymay (May 03, 2007 12:04 pm) floridacarwiz (May 04, 2007 5:08 pm) rjlaero (May 09, 2007 1:53 pm)
#10 of 15 Re: Thumbs up for the Audi TT 2.0 Roadster [floridacarwiz] by billymay May 03, 2007 (12:04 pm)
Replying to: floridacarwiz (May 01, 2007 1:02 am) This is a bizarre comparison. V12 Aston Martin or four cylinder Audi? Hmmm. Wonder how the Ferrari 575 would compare... Question for audiguy: Is Audi serious that I have to spring for the $1950 nav system in order to get an iPod connection?!! I thought the 2.0T pricing was extremely attractive, but two grand so I can plug my iPod in? Someone's smoking something over in Ingolstadt. Replies to this message: floridacarwiz (May 04, 2007 5:08 pm) rjlaero (May 09, 2007 1:53 pm)
#11 of 15 Re: Thumbs up for the Audi TT 2.0 Roadster [billymay] by floridacarwiz May 04, 2007 (5:08 pm)
Replying to: billymay (May 03, 2007 12:04 pm) Bizarre or not.... The two cars were compared by me and I thought about purchasing both, but the TT won out for its quickness and agility. And, by the way, all you have to pay is $250 to have your Ipod compatibility. It is model code PBA on the build sheet. Replies to this message: rjlaero (May 09, 2007 1:53 pm)
#12 of 15 Re: Thumbs up for the Audi TT 2.0 Roadster [floridacarwiz] by rjlaero May 09, 2007 (1:53 pm)
Replying to: floridacarwiz (May 04, 2007 5:08 pm) Correct....the ipod is only $250.
#14 of 15 Re: Pros and Cons of TT Roadster [carfanatic3] by unlimitedjoe Dec 27, 2007 (1:44 pm)
my wife owns 2004 roadster, that had 2 problems that where fixed the same day at dealer, car has 31,000 and lease is up in april. problem 1) rag top always worked, but windows would not go up all the way( stood open on both sides about an inch.) 2) water coolant light came on, both issues where fixed right away. checking in to new 08 lease options as we speak. good luck! joe
#15 of 15 Two Thumbs up for the Audi 2.0 TT Roadster - Performance Update by floridacarwiz Feb 18, 2008 (9:22 pm)
Well, my last post concerning this automobile was May 1, 2007, the day on which I ordered the TT. I had to wait about 11 weeks or so to take delivery of the Sahara silver and Madras brown baseball stitch interior roadster. I liked the car immediately right out of the factory box, but I thought I could improve the basic look (lighting especially) and the performance of the small but mighty 2.0 liter turbo engine. I looked through the internet for a performance tuner and lighting expert and found a place called Velocity Factor about 30 miles to my northeast in a place called Boca Raton, (Mouth of the rat) Florida. The first upgrade I performed was to take the clear drab daytime running lamps and replace them with high-intensity amber bulbs. The factory fog lights also were not really up to snuff either, so a PIAA high-intensity bulb and attendant ballast system was installed, which later needed a separate harness because of intermittent on and off issues. Also added were high intensity backup bulbs for better night vision when in reverse. Suffice it to say that when I am driving the car in the daytime you can see me coming from a mile away because of the PIAA's. And the contrast in bulbs is simply amazing, the ambers being a rich yellow/orange and the fogs emitting a bluish-white hue against the very light goldish color of the car. The difference at night is also calculable for the fogs, which work well with the bi-xenon low and high beams that change their position when making turns. People also immediately react to the beefed-up lighting system in a very positive way. As I stated, the factory performance of the TT was excellent, but from my knowledge of turbocharger technology (Owned a Buick Regal and Mitsubishi Starion with turbos) and the aftermarket, it was a no-brainer that I could also improve on the factory performance at the drop of a hat. I consulted with Philipe, at Velocity Factor, and we decided to go with the APR chip flashing upgrade with a $599.00 pricetag. It is supposed to bring horsepower up into the 250 or so realm and torque is pegged by them at over 300lbs-ft, which I would say are a bit optimistic, but there is definitely more zip and quicker throttle response with the software. The only way I can explain it is that before the chip you basically had to be in the sport mode of the transmission for the car to move smartly, whereas after the upgrade the drive mode showed plenty of power and putting it in sport was like hyperspeed. It also seems that from a supposed redline pegged by the factory at 6800, now the car pulls strongly to close to 7200RPMs and the 0-60 time comes down from about 6.5 for the roadster to about the 6.0 second mark, with even faster performance on colder days here in Florida because of the cold ambient air charge...mother nature's intercooler, so to speak. After driving the TT with the chip for a couple months, and realizing the fine performance gain, I decided to consult on a cold air intake. Philipe and I both agreed on a Neuspeed intake with a metallic Blitz filter that almost never needs cleaning and never has to be replaced. Off came the Audi heat shielding and in went the intake and filter for some freer breathing and a bit more oomph. The car also makes some wooooshing sounds at certain RPMs and you can hear air being sucked in and feel in the seat of your pants a boost in HP and better response and more quickness. So there you have the skinny on what has been done so far. My next move up the HP ladder will be to install a custom-fitted GLH dual exhaust with twin chrome tips out both sides of the rear valence panel and to rechip to an APR Stage II iteration, both good for about an extra 25HP and a tad more in torque. This transformation should take place about the time of my 58th birthday at the end of March or in early April. Other future modifications that are being considered are 19" Konig wheels, wider tires, a possible Rieger ground effects kit, larger and more efficient turbo, Stage III tuning, Snow Performance liquid intercooler system or traditional intercooler, 35HP nitrous shot, Alcon or Brembo brakes with composite brake pads, and some other goodies, as they come to market. I know this is a long post, but I'm really stoked on the TT, and if anyone wants the information to bring their TT up to par, you can feel free to write me at raybowman1aol.com. I have information on companies like Stasis Engineering and other tidbits from the guys at TT-East 2007 and their sponsors that may be helpful to anyone looking for a better ride. Best of luck with your new TTs. Let me hear from you guys and girls out there soon. Elliott