Running costs of Audi TT vs. BMW 330Ci?

Ex-RoNiN

Ex-RoNiN

Ex-RoNiN

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Hi,

am thinking of replacing the Cougar with either a TT or the 330Ci next year, and I was pondering the running costs with regards to Servicing/Insurance/Tax/Petrol etc. Would anyone with experience be kind enough to share their experiences?

Also, with regards to the cars themselves, how are they? How do they drive, what are the interiors/extras like?

I am looking at 2001-2003 models, with a mileage of about 50-80k.

Many thanks!
 
I know very little about TT costs, but can comment on the running costs of my 330i sport saloon (52 plate).
It's group 17 insurance (IIRC), servicing is around £250-350 depending upon the service. Only needs servicing every 15,000 miles, meaning that it's actually cheaper to service than my old MX5 was.
Fuel consumption is upto 30mpg on long runs, down to 20mpg when only in town, make your own mind up on your personal usage. The only other thing I've found is that it does eat a small level of oil, and I probably get through 2ltrs between services. Hardly as bad as an RX8, but worth being aware of.

Mine's done nearly 100k and in the last 15k the only issue I've had was with corroding alloys (fairly common from what I've heard), which required a refurb on a couple of wheels, and also a small leak on a air inlet pipe, requiring a man hour to diagnose and a £10 pipe.

To live with, I have to say that I'd prefer to have had the SE as whilst the sports suspension is great if you're going for it, that the opportunity to really push the car is very limited for myself and I'd rather have the comfort of a more relaxed ride.
The auto-box is glorious, and whilst some complain at a lack of involvement, go learn how to left foot brake and then it feels more like a big go-kart.
I find the interior to be a lovely place to be, though Audi's are as good as cars get at their price points. The sports seats are very comfortable and it seems to apply Tardis like effects on long journeys when compared to other cars.
The only real downside is that it's simply too heavy to be a real sports car. So yes it's fast, but just not as fun inducing as say an MX5.
 
Servicing and insurance costs will be largely the same. Tyres for the 330Ci will be slightly more expensive as the rear tyre size is larger than the front whereas the TT has the same sized tyres all round.

The TT is likely to be marginally more reliable, but the 330Ci has a better engine.

Both are slightly different takes on the same concept - the TT is fun looking little Coupe, the 3 Series is more of a performance Coupe - the TT grips very well but the steering feel is rather vague, the 3 Series handles better, the steering feel is spot on but its less forgiving. The 3 Series can be argued to be merely a 2 door version of the 4 door saloon which is everywhere, the TT (although hardly rare) is at least unique looking.

Interior build quality is largely the same - the 330Ci is well put together, everything is logically positioned but the dashboard is 'nice' not 'stylish'. The TT is a bit more scattered, there is no centre armrest but it looks more stylish. TT's I've look at all had wear on the radio buttons and on some of the cubby holes but other than that its fairly resilient. The cabin noise in the TT can get annoying, the 330Ci is slightly more refined. The 330Ci is the quicker car, infact the TT felt no quicker than my 530i despite the greater refinement of the 530 removing a lot of the sensation of speed. The engine in the TT is soul-less - it just gets on with the job at hand without giving the driver much aural pleasure.

The TT was always slated as not being much of a drivers car, and its true that for pure thrill the 330Ci runs rings around it, but its far from bad and at the prices they currently command they make a lot of sense - just remember it needs a cambelt change every 30 seconds whereas the 330Ci has a chain.
 
Fox is spot on really, I own both a 3 series and a TT, they are both very nice cars but very different. The build quality of the BMW is a little better however the interior does look nicer on the TT.
I would assume that they both will cost about the same to run, as fox said the cambelt will need to be done at around 60k which can cost around 500 pounds.
The tt has amazing grip especially on a wet road, you really have a feeling of speed compared to the 3 series which is just a lot more refined and comfortable.

Which would I go for, TT or a 330i E46ci?
Definitely the TT, much more fun however that’s providing it has been revoed
 
Are you guys talking about 1.8T engine, or the 3.2 in the TT? The 1.8T cambelt should cost nowhere near £500 unless audi charge a lot more than skoda?

I payed £290 for mine including waterpump and coolant flush.

The TT should be easier to mod if you choose to go that way...
 
Ex-RoNiN said:
Hi,

am thinking of replacing the Cougar with either a TT or the 330Ci next year, and I was pondering the running costs with regards to Servicing/Insurance/Tax/Petrol etc. Would anyone with experience be kind enough to share their experiences?

Also, with regards to the cars themselves, how are they? How do they drive, what are the interiors/extras like?

I am looking at 2001-2003 models, with a mileage of about 50-80k.

Many thanks!
Click to expand...
next year? tis a bit early isn't it?
 
ethos said:
Are you guys talking about 1.8T engine, or the 3.2 in the TT? The 1.8T cambelt should cost nowhere near £500 unless audi charge a lot more than skoda?

I payed £290 for mine including waterpump and coolant flush.

The TT should be easier to mod if you choose to go that way...
Click to expand...

yah I think audi charge quite a lot more then skoda:(
 
Hey,
I have no experience of a 330ci however i have owned my 1.8t tt for about 18 months now.

Running costs:
I average around 31mpg, that mainly includes town driving and i do drive it hard most of the time.
Insurance for me 24, 3 years no claims, 5 points, all mods listed is 900 fully comp.
Servicing is done by my local specilist jabba sport, 80 notes for an oil change. 150 - 200 for a 10/20k service and slightly more for 40k. Cambelt was 260 IIRC and heldex filter and oil was 70.

I have a p-torque remap which boosts power up to about 260ish bhp, i've had the remap about a year now and takes the car from quite smooth / sluggish to alert and pretty rapid.

Its not the best handling car in the world, however grip is pretty fantastic in all conditions and once you've reached its limits it understeers so is pretty easy to judge. Steering is c*ap you cannot feel which way they wheels are steering, it leaves you feeling quite numb, but the turbo kick and endless grip takes care of that. I agree with Fox as regards to motorway noise, it'll happily sit at 100 but wind noise gets bad when you press on.

Straight line performance i would say are pretty neck and neck, with the 330ci being a smooth torquey 6 and the tt being a turbo charged 4 banger. With a remap, id say the tt would probably push ahead. The bmw will feel nicer to drive hard and feedback will be much better. Cornering ,the tt has it in the bag, both wet and dry. I have been round roundabouts in the wet at stupid speeds and although the back end can twitch ive never lost it.

Things to look for, dashpod's have some issues (replaced by audi). Cambelt needs doing at 40-60k. There are also a few other bits to look out for. I suggest a visit to the tt forums may prove useful.

I love my titty, it always makes me look back after locking it up and think.... that is one sexy looking car. I'm having difficulty replacing it as recent test drives in other exotica doesnt seem to give me the same grin.

Happy motoring.

Rico
 
I prefered the auto over the manual on the 330. It maybe slower than the manual but in trip mode it changes down quick enough on the corners and acceptable on the up shift. You can change the steering wheel for a SMG one and use the paddles if you want too. I found the manual box very notchy (5 speed) and the throw was way to long worst part of the car. It is very well screwed together and mine had zero rattles at 53k miles on it. The seat bulsters on my drivers seat went very saggy just before I got rid of it, but bar that interior held together well. I averaged 25mpg, but as already mentioned drank a lot of oil. Best handling car I have owned as it was literally glued to the road. Pre face lift E46's are looking fairly dated these days. Would prefer a 3.2 TT over the 1.8T :)
 
Some very good replies in here, thank you very much guys.

A few more questions:

- are there any advantages to getting a 330 facelift (2003 onwards?) apart from more up-to-date looks?
- I guess the beemer has ample boot space, whilst the TT has nominal one?
- in terms of driving long distance, how does the TT feel after 4-5 hours of driving?
- they are both tax group F, aren't they?

Once again, thank you.
 
- I guess the beemer has ample boot space, whilst the TT has nominal one?

The TT is not too bad, i have seen a set of 4 allyos fit into a TTc.

- in terms of driving long distance, how does the TT feel after 4-5 hours of driving?

Its ok. Not as good as the BM but still not bad.
 
I have had a passenger ride in the 180 TT. It felt completely underwhelming. It just does not feel fast at all.
The Interior was very nice though and they are a bargain at the moment I think.
I have been looking at them but would want the 225. The 3.2 is in a different league in terms of price.
 
Ex-RoNiN said:
Some very good replies in here, thank you very much guys.

A few more questions:

- are there any advantages to getting a 330 facelift (2003 onwards?) apart from more up-to-date looks?
- I guess the beemer has ample boot space, whilst the TT has nominal one?
- in terms of driving long distance, how does the TT feel after 4-5 hours of driving?
- they are both tax group F, aren't they?

Once again, thank you.
Click to expand...

6 speed box if its better than the 5 it replaced.
 
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