Used Audi TT Roadster (2007 - To Date) review

The original TT was an icon, that much is true. As is the fact that this second generation version offers up a slightly less bold design. It's still a better car though. In the case of this Roadster version, the wide range of models on offer means that it can be seen as an alternative to Mazda's affordable MX-5 or to Porsche's highly capable Boxster S, depending on which TT derivative we're talking about. Bottom line? Anyone considering a used two-seater open-topped sportscar in this price bracket must give serious consideration to the TT.

Losing the roof can make all the difference to a sportscar. Yes, you might get wet if you're not quick enough with the canopy but the plus points surely outweigh the occasional damp hairdo or soggy owner's manual. Back home, as they power up the hair dryer and drape their wallets over the radiator, roadster owners can recall the rushing air and that soaring, roaring engine note. Joyous things from which those of us who drive cars with roofs are forever insulated. Winding down a window just isn't the same. So what about Audi's 2007 take on the genre - the TT Roadster?

AUDI TT HISTORY

The original Audi TT arrived in 1999, with Coupe and Roadster models quickly cornering a man-sized slice of the compact sportscar market. The thing with that car was its modern design. The curving, bulging bodywork broke new ground, while the interior put a dynamic twist on the German brand's usual class and imperious build quality. The roadgoing experience was far less remarkable however, and Audi had to reign in the MK1 TT's exuberant side still further soon after its launch when a small number of owners came unstuck after experiencing lift-off oversteer for the first time. With suspension modifications and intrusive ESP stability control, it was never held up has a fantastic driver's car, although certain versions could get a shimmy on when required. With the second generation TT, Audi wanted to address the shortcomings of the original with an exciting but safe package. The styling was certainly safe by comparison with the MK1, but still pretty enough and with the capacity to grow on the viewer. There was also a more modern chassis underneath and an updated engine range. The TT Roadster launched in 2007 following on from the coupe's arrival in 2006. The initial range consisted of a front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged model and the 3.2-litre V6 from the old car with quattro all-wheel-drive. In 2008, a TTS variant arrived with the 2.0 TFSI engine packing a power boost from 197 to 268bhp - plus it also had quattro all-wheel-drive. The 2.0-litre diesel model arrived in 2008 as well providing a more economical option. Audi introduced an entry-level 1.8 TFSI engine in 2009, the year that also saw the opposite end of the range supplemented by the maniac TT RS and its 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine with 340bhp. The TT was facelifted for the 2011 model year but the changes amounted to styling tweaks, new headlights and efficiency improvements. The standard 2.0 TFSI engine was boosted to 209bhp at this stage and the 3.2-litre V6 unit was axed.

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?

The hood is a traditional fabric affair, one of the key reasons why the Roadster's weight penalty has been kept to a mere 35kg over the Coupe. Electrohydraulically operated, it uses a steel and aluminium framework to pare further grammes from its bulk. Were it not for an additional layer of soundproofing, it would be even lighter - but then where do you stop? Fitting a vinyl rear window would have saved a little weight too. So would opting for a cheap pull-up screen rather than a powered mesh wind deflector. But Audi correctly decided that owners would rather have a little extra weight and a lot of extra convenience. Need an example of the TT Roadster's design effectiveness? A clever Z-fold system means that the rigid forward section of the roof folds down on top of the remainder, eliminating the need for a tonneau - so often the inelegant engineering solution on convertible cars. What's more, the roof operates in a mere 12 seconds and can be stowed or raised at speeds of up to 30mph. The TT Roadster requires no manual clipping or latching to the header rail either. Just fire and forget. Even today, the original TT's cabin feels anything but old. The second generation car reprises the old model's look and feel, with the chrome-ringed speedo and rev counter housed in their own cowl and the round air vents, but also adds a few contemporary design touches such as the flat-bottomed steering wheel, the angled centre console and a sportier seating position. The chassis of the TT isn't enormously different in fundamental layout to a MkV Volkswagen Golf but whereas the Golf uses steel for its suspension components, the TT uses expensive and lighter aluminium. What's more, Audi pioneered a method of using aluminium and steel components in tandem with each other, overcoming the electrolytic corrosion issues that plagued other manufacturers who tinkered with this approach before them. Some 69 per cent of the body is aluminium with the other 31 per cent steel, which means that the 2.0-litre TFSI model is 60kg lighter than the first generation 1.8-litre turbo car.

WHAT PRICE AM I LOOKING AT?

TT Roadsters are highly sought-after used cars and values hold relatively firm but not as firm at those of the Coupe. Demand is particularly strong in the run up to summer as motorists seek out a cure for their winter blues. The 2.0 TFSI models are about for £17,500 on 56 plates and you'll pay around £700 more for the S Tronic dual clutch gearbox. The 3.2 V6 quattro models of a similar age look very tempting at just £1,200 more but running costs will be higher and the extra weight doesn't do much for the handling. The TTS starts on 57 plates for £27,500 and an RS on an 09-plate will still be worth £40,000 of its £44,615 new price. The diesel model is available from £23,500 on 57 plates and is a surprisingly affordable car to run.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

The niggles with the original TT such as the coil pack woes of the 1.8T engine, the errant tracking and the rather hit and miss colour palette of early cars were well and truly rectified with the second generation car. The 2.0TFSI engine, the 2.0-litre TDI diesel and the 3.2-litre powerplant have all earned a reputation for strong reliability. Even the complex mechanical parts like the electrically folding hood have thus far proven gremlin-free.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

The 1.8-litre turbo model takes 7.4s to hit 60mph and the 2.0-litre turbo posts a 6.7-second time (6.5 with S-tronic twin-clutch sequential gearbox) before running on to a top speed of 149mph. The 3.2-litre car makes 60 in 6.0 seconds (5.8 with S-tronic) and hits an electronic limiter at 155mph. The TTS is even quicker, hitting sixty in just 5.6s but not as quick as the TT RS which has 340bhp from its 2.5-litre turbocharged engine. If you're looking to slash ongoing running costs, the TT TDI diesel is worth a look, offering 90 per cent of the 2.0 TFSI petrol model's capability at significantly lower ongoing costs. Certainly the fuel consumption figure of 53.3mpg looks eye-catching and so does a sprint to 60mph in just 7.2 seconds. The Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive damping system was available as an option and is well worth seeking out on the used market. Press a button and a voltage is applied to tiny magnetic particles swimming in the damper oil, changing their polarity and, in turn, either firming up or softening the damper in milliseconds. It enables the driver to select the set-up that best suits them. With or without Magnetic Ride, the TT Roadster handles well. Some of the rear-wheel-drive alternatives are more thrilling but they're more expensive and if you're able to opt for a quattro 4WD TT, it'll make going quickly seem effortless. Audi did a great job of ensuring that the rigidity of the Coupe remained present once the roof had been removed and there's little by way of noticeable chassis flex when you push it hard.

By Steve Walker

PARTS INFORMATION

(approx based on a 2007 2.0 TFSI Roadster) Audi consumables once had a reputation for costliness, but whilst they are a bit pricier than Ford or Vauxhall, spares are by no means exorbitant. An air filter costs in the region of £65, whilst a fuel filter is £25 and an oil filter £35. A set of spark plugs will be around £70.

TOP 5 TT DEALS

The results below show the top TT deals on buyacar

Audi TT 2.0T FSI Sport 2dr [2011] Coupe
Price £24,797 Read TT Reviews	Save £2,333
Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro S Line 2dr [2011] Diesel Coupe
Price £27,692 Read TT Reviews	Save £2,593
Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro Sport 2dr [2011] Diesel Coupe
Price £25,841 Read TT Reviews	Save £2,454
Audi TT 1.8T FSI Sport 2dr Coupe
Price £22,096 Read TT Reviews	Save £1,969
Audi TT 1.8T FSI Sport 2dr S Tronic Coupe
Price £23,428 Read TT Reviews	Save £2,117
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