Audi TT Roadster (2007 – 2015) Review

Audi TT Roadster (2007 – 2015) At A Glance

4/5

+As sharp a drive as the coupe version. Eye-catching looks and nice design details in the cabin. Good range of engines including economical TDI. Very few reported problems until emissions defeat scandal broke.

-Stiff ride ride on 19-inch wheels unless magnetic suspension is fitted. Blustery with top down. Some coking up and oil consumption problems with early EA288 engines.

Insurance Groups are between 32–38
On average it achieves 85% of the official MPG figure

The first Audi TT Roadster had a good sense of style about it, however it wasn't renowned for its handling. It wasn't quite a case of style over substance, but there were other two-seater sports cars out there which were better to drive and just as good to look at. This second generation Audi TT Roadster addressed those shortcomings - it's great fun to drive, sharper looking but still just as desirable.

Thanks to a lightweight design and lots of aluminium panels, it's nimble and agile on the move with precise steering, making it great fun to drive, whichever engine you choose. Initially it came with a 2.0 TFSI engine and a great sounding 3.2-litre V6 quattro. Later Audi launched the TDI which may not sound like a sports car but with punchy performance and impressive economy of 51.4mpg.

There's also an entry-level 1.8 TFSI - only available in the Roadster - which may sound modest with just 160bhp, but feels very lively and suits the TT Roadster well. It's also the most affordable Audi TT model available. Inside you get that wonderfully stylish cabin complete with the trademark metal ringed air vents and a genuine feeling of quality.

Audi hasn't adopted a metal roof like some small convertibles such as the Mercedes-Benz SLK, instead it's stuck with a traditional fabric hood. It's perhaps not as secure, but it's well insulated for both cold and noise, plus it keeps weight down, helping performance and handling. It's fully electric too and folds neatly away in just 12 seconds.

Real MPG average for a Audi TT Roadster (2007 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

85%

Real MPG

22–54 mpg

MPGs submitted

81

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

I have a 2008 Audi TT Roadster - should I sell it or keep it in case it becomes a classic?

"I have a 2008 Audi TT Roadster with lots of factory fitted extras, including remote key fob roof up/down. Should I sell it or keep it in case it becomes a classic?"
The Mk1 TT is now 21 years old and has found huge popularity as a modern classic thanks to its looks and usability. The Mk2 that you have still has a way to go, although there's a decent chance of it making it to modern classic status. Whether you choose to keep it or not will depend entirely on your personal situation. You'll need to set some money aside over the next decade as the car starts to wear out. And you'll probably want to relegate it to second car status at some point to keep the miles off it a bit. A much better question to ask yourself is, 'How much do I like the car?' If you're happy with it and have no problem keeping it on the road, then just enjoy it and don't get too hung up on whether it'll be a classic or view it as an investment.
Answered by Keith Moody

How worthwhile would it be to get an air con regas done on my 10 year old car?

"How worthwhile would it be to get the air con regas done on my 10 year old Audi TT? It's done 49,300 miles."
There are three types of a/c refrigerant. The first type is obsolete. Most cars use R134A, which costs about £50 - £60 for a regas. But there is now a new refrigerant called r1234yf, which is more prone to leaking and which costs about £250 for a regas.
Answered by Honest John

Audi TTS Clutch Slipping at 20,000 miles

"My 2009 Audi TTS Roadster has just turned 20,000 miles and I have noticed clutch slip - typically third and fourth gear under hard acceleration. Is there a known (manual) clutch problem with the TTS? Given the low mileage and age of the car, have I got a case to ask Audi to pay some or all of the replacement work? "
It will always be the case that the higher the performance of the car, the shorter the clutch life. Clutches on some Porsches and Nissan 350Zs only last 10,000 miles.
Answered by Honest John

Thanks to Audi for providing an interim car to drive whilst delivery of my TT Roadster was delayed.

"I ordered a TT Roadster in April this year. I was advised that the model was about to receive a "facelift" but I assured that I could take delivery in September. This suited me perfectly as I was not in a hurry for the car. Previous experience of ordering brand new from Audi was very positive and I therefore expected to start receiving courtesy phone calls to tell me my TT was in production from July. This didn't happen and by mid-August Audi was advising of a delay (reason not specified) and, worse still, could not give me even an estimation of when I would be able to take delivery of my new TT. Meanwhile I had a car that was losing resale value, increasing in mileage and was likely to cost me money to keep it on the road during the winter. I was not happy and challenged my Audi garage to do something about it or lose the sale. At this stage they advised that I was unlikely to get my car before Christmas, that I was not the only person affected by the problem and that, recognising I'd been promised a new car in September, Audi would provide me with a car until my new one arrived. Even better, they agreed that even if the new car arrived in January they would honour the price agreed when I ordered it (including the lower rate of VAT). I am now happily driving around in a 1.8T A4 S-Line which isn't too bad at all."
The real reason is the collapse of Sterling and the imminent collapse of the entire UK economy. That has led Audi to concentrate on more profitable and more sustainable markets in preference to the UK. Some manufacturers, such as Daihatsu, have withdrawn entirely from the UK market. We have been living on borrowed money and an internalised economy for far too long. The extent of Britain's national debt is that everyone in the UK now owes the rest of the world £77,000. (Martin Durkin's 'Britain's 4.8 Trillion Pound Horror Story' Channel 4, 11-11-2010.) Unless the rest of the world (which actually means China) continues to support the UK, the UK will collapse.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Audi TT Roadster (2007 – 2015) cost?