Sports car looks, VW Golf dependability: Bag an Audi TT from £2k
It sounds incongruous in the context of a sports coupé, but the 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel is highly recommendable. It’s the cheapest to run, cracking 50mpg even with standard-fit four-wheel drive, and it’s cheaper to tax. But be aware that it’s not ULEZ-compliant.
For the 2010 facelift, Audi introduced the ‘EA888’ petrol engine in 158bhp 1.8-litre and 208bhp 2.0-litre forms, but owners have reported poorer reliability than with the ‘EA113’. Meanwhile, the thirsty VR6 was replaced by the TTS with an uprated ‘EA113’ 2.0-litre petrol producing 268bhp: it’s fast, but no more fun.
The TT also got the full-fat RS treatment in 2009, with 335bhp, or 355bhp in the Plus, from a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo petrol. It’s ballistically quick, and a true supercar slayer on a back road.
An owner’s view
Oliver Deichmann: “After some careful research, I bought my Mk2 Audi TT five years ago to replace my Mk1. It needed to be ULEZ-compliant so that excluded the diesel, but I still wanted reasonable running costs. From what I read, the 2.0-litre ‘EA113’ engine would be most reliable and indeed, after 30,000 miles, it has proved impeccable, all while returning 40mpg on a run.”
Buyer beware…
Engine: The reliability of the ‘EA888’ engine has been affected by high oil consumption (due to tired piston rings), timing chain tensioner failures (especially on cars from 2012 and earlier), carbon build-up on intake valves and coolant leaks from the water pump/thermostat housing. Seek a well-maintained example.
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