Audi TT MK1 225

Razor-BladE

Razor-BladE

Razor-BladE

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Bristol
Hi,

So I've always loved the style of TTs. Someone I know has a 2003 black TT coupe that they're looking to get rid of. Only wants about £1k. They've owned it from new and it's had full Audi service history. I'll need to check when the last cam belt change, etc was done but had all new tyres last summer. Anything else to look out for?

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)) ADVISORY

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) ADVISORY

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)) ADVISORY

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b)) ADVISORY

These advisories new in the last MOT (June). MOT before that was clean. How much would it cost to sort these out at an independent garage roughly? I unfortunately wouldn't have the time/space to try myself. Other than oil changes I've not done anything else to a car before.

So the other massive thing... It's on 290k miles :eek:
I know he doesn't drive it hard and it's obviously been taken care of to last that long, but how much longer is it going to last? Hmm. If say the engine did go, how easy/cheap would it be to source/fit a second hand engine, or how much would a rebuild cost? On AT they seem to be going for £2-2.5k+ so even if I sorted those suspension components, and put in a secondhand engine, I wouldn't be losing much, value wise, and then it should be good for some time?

Anyone have wise words to tell me? Aha

Thanks.
 
Razor-BladE said:
Hi,

So I've always loved the style of TTs. Someone I know has a 2003 black TT coupe that they're looking to get rid of. Only wants about £1k. They've owned it from new and it's had full Audi service history. I'll need to check when the last cam belt change, etc was done but had all new tyres last summer. Anything else to look out for?

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)) ADVISORY

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) ADVISORY

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)) ADVISORY

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b)) ADVISORY

These advisories new in the last MOT (June). MOT before that was clean. How much would it cost to sort these out at an independent garage roughly? I unfortunately wouldn't have the time/space to try myself. Other than oil changes I've not done anything else to a car before.

So the other massive thing... It's on 290k miles :eek:
I know he doesn't drive it hard and it's obviously been taken care of to last that long, but how much longer is it going to last? Hmm. If say the engine did go, how easy/cheap would it be to source/fit a second hand engine, or how much would a rebuild cost? On AT they seem to be going for £2-2.5k+ so even if I sorted those suspension components, and put in a secondhand engine, I wouldn't be losing much, value wise, and then it should be good for some time?

Anyone have wise words to tell me? Aha

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I think you should definitely get it! That's a proper high mileage hero. I had one and the big issues to look out for are:

1) Dashboard cluster display - the pixels stop working. Its about £200 to send it off to a company to replace the LCD.
2) Rust in all the usual parts you'd expect on a 300k 21 year old car (subframe/arches/jacking points)
3) Fuel senders - you can get odd fuel readings and you have to replace the sender which are in the fuel tank (there are two IIRC, but often it's only 1 that goes bad)
4) Suspension components - on this mileage/age of car, I'd suspect most things have probably already been replaced, maybe twice over, so look at the service history to see what's been done. The front lower suspension arms might need doing depending on what they look like. They're easy parts to get hold of and not expensive.
5) Vacuum pipes and PCV hoses - this one is a big one on the 1.8T engine. If they haven't been done, they definitely need doing. You get an uneven idle and random revs when the car is at idle if you have vacuum leak. They're not hard to do, but if you can't do it yourself, it is a bit time consuming so a garage will charge you accordingly. I'd suspect that these would have already been done at somepoint though so play it by ear.

I think £1000 for a nearly 300k mile car is reaching, even one with 1 owner and FASH. I'd be wanting to get it for around £700, especially if the cambelt might need doing soon, and if it needs new front discs/pads and maybe suspension arms.
 
A suspension refresh and brakes is probably going to cost double what the car is worth. Worth doing if the car is in good condition and you aren't planning on selling it TBH.

Check what the damage to the suspension arm is. Is it rusted or bent from a bump?
 
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The only thing on that that really needs to be done is this

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)) ADVISORY

the others are not a real issue, but the brakes will need doing sooner than later

But it would worth finding out what they mean by "damaged"
 
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Before I got my MX-5 I spent a bit of time trying to find a clean MK1 225 for not silly money, all rotten with mechanical issues. At least the MX-5 just rusts.
 
Another common failure is the motors that actuate the fuel/temperature gauges. Simple enough DIY though.

Not sure I’d bother with a 290,000 mile example unless it was essentially free. Might as well spend not much more on one with 1/3rd the miles.

Still got my MK1 V6 Roadster as a third car no plans to get rid, it puts a smile on my face.
 
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If I was in your position, I'd have it. You might spend a bit sorting the advisories and cambelt, but even if something big goes wrong you'll lose very little.
 
Thank you to everyone that replied. Yeah I need to have a good look in person to see what damage is on the suspension arm and if there's any/much rust. Also what things have been recently replaced/fixed.
Part of the reason he's changing is for a hatchback so the grandkid can fit in the car. Otherwise he's basically just going to be using it as part exchange, or selling it to one of those wbac type places, which I think have said about £600. He initially said £1.2k but I don't think he's too bothered, so might be able to get it for around £800-900 if I voice my concerns enough aha.

Gaygle said:
I think you should definitely get it! That's a proper high mileage hero. I had one and the big issues to look out for are:

1) Dashboard cluster display - the pixels stop working. Its about £200 to send it off to a company to replace the LCD.
2) Rust in all the usual parts you'd expect on a 300k 21 year old car (subframe/arches/jacking points)
3) Fuel senders - you can get odd fuel readings and you have to replace the sender which are in the fuel tank (there are two IIRC, but often it's only 1 that goes bad)
4) Suspension components - on this mileage/age of car, I'd suspect most things have probably already been replaced, maybe twice over, so look at the service history to see what's been done. The front lower suspension arms might need doing depending on what they look like. They're easy parts to get hold of and not expensive.
5) Vacuum pipes and PCV hoses - this one is a big one on the 1.8T engine. If they haven't been done, they definitely need doing. You get an uneven idle and random revs when the car is at idle if you have vacuum leak. They're not hard to do, but if you can't do it yourself, it is a bit time consuming so a garage will charge you accordingly. I'd suspect that these would have already been done at somepoint though so play it by ear.

I think £1000 for a nearly 300k mile car is reaching, even one with 1 owner and FASH. I'd be wanting to get it for around £700, especially if the cambelt might need doing soon, and if it needs new front discs/pads and maybe suspension arms.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will keep an eye on these things when I'm checking it out.

Diddums said:
It's a grand ffs, get it bought and drive it until it goes bang. You'll pay more to rent a car for a week.
Click to expand...

I was thinking just doing this tbh. And just hope nothing major throws up with at least the next MOT! I might learn how to change brake discs/pads, as it doesn't look TOO hard to do, and my brothers old Ford Focus brakes needs doing this year as well.
 
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