Audi TT RS (2009 – 2015) Review

Audi TT RS (2009 – 2015) At A Glance

4/5

+Characterful and powerful five-cylinder engine. Easy to drive at low speed. Sporty cabin. Available as a Coupe or a Roadster.

-Expensive compared to the rest of the TT range. Not as involving to drive as the similarly priced Porsche Cayman.

Insurance Groups are between 40–41
On average it achieves 97% of the official MPG figure

The second generation Audi TT transformed the image of the TT. Whereas many people viewed the first generation model as slightly soft, the newer model is a genuinely great sports car. And as if to prove this further, there's a high performance model in the shape of the TT RS.

Of course there's already the impressive TTS and with 272bhp it's certainly no slouch. But as with all the RS models across the Audi range, the TT RS takes things onto the next level. The big talking point is the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharger engine which produces 340bhp - that's more than a Porsche Cayman S - which gives the top of the range TT a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds (4.7 seconds in the Roadster if you're counting).

This engine was unique to the TT RS, originally no other Audi used it until the launch of the Audi RS3 in 2011. It's certainly characterful with a distinctive sound and sublime performance. Audi has ensured the TT RS stands out from the rest of the TT range with an aggressive bodykit including a fixed rear spoiler and bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

It's available as either a Coupe or Roadster, so you can add open-air enjoyment to the high performance experience. However, neither version is cheap with new prices at more than £45,000 putting it up against cars like the excellent Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman, plus the latest BMW Z4.

It can't quite match the Porsche models when it comes to driver enjoyment and the TT RS lacks some of that feelgood factor you'd expect in an RS model from Audi. But it's still a great car to own and drive - and one that will always look stylish.

Audi TT Coupe 2006 Road Test

Audi TT RS 2009 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Audi TT RS (2009 – 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

97%

Real MPG

27–35 mpg

MPGs submitted

12

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

The V5C of the Audi TTS I'm about to purchase states it is the wrong colour - will this appear on HPI as a colour change?

"I put a £200 deposit on a 2012 Audi TTS, which I had seen online from a dealership, so they moved it to my local garage for inspection. The car looks great, low mileage, no apparent body work done and a full service history. However, the V5C registration document says it's red, but the car is black. The garage says it's most likely a typing error and they would get it changed. I would like to buy the car but I'm a bit concerned that it might go on HPI as a colour change and make the car difficult to sell later on. Do DVLA make such mistakes or is there another reason for the colour to be different to that on the V5C? "
Yes, such mistakes are made. And yes, it could appear on history checks as a colour change.
Answered by Honest John

Have we done something wrong when transferring a personal plate onto another car?

"My wife had, until recently, a personal plate on her BMW Z4 but sold the plate and transferred another personal plate (which she had on retention) to the BMW. It was last used on an Audi TT she owned at least 7 years ago. When using your car valuation tool it says the plate she sold is a Range Rover Sport, which I assume is the vehicle the person who bought the plate has put it on. So we put in her number she had on retention and that comes up as the Audi TT. Have we done something wrong when we transferred the plate onto the BMW?"
As long as you followed the correct DVLA procedure (which you have done before) you have probably done the right thing. But the system cannot be expected to catch up with every switch of a cherished reg. That's simply expecting too much. If you want a valuation, best to key in the specific details of your car. Very soon, that will also allow you to key in a mileage and get a more specific valuation.
Answered by Honest John

Looking for sporty but not too uncomfortable coupe - any ideas?

"Looking for sporty but not too uncomfortable coupe. Would you recommend 2011 Audi TT Mk2 with EA888 engine (would specify Sport Quattro) or would you go for 2008/9 TTS with EA113 engine? I mostly drive 5-15 miles trips on A+B roads, on warm summer days I drive my Mk1 Eunos Roadster. I like the idea of 4WD as the roads around us are often wet and greasy. You rate Mk2 TT as a 5 star car but there is a lot of chatter about oil useage in 2.0TFSI engines. Should I consider anything else?"
You want the manifold in head EA888 engine from 2014 that overcomes these problems, not the earlier one. The EA113 is belt cam, so £600 every 4 years. You're right that the Mk II TT should lose a star due to the coking up and oil consumption problems.
Answered by Honest John

Can we get a refund for our smokey Audi TT?

"My daughter recently bought a used Audi TT. It was found that a screw had come loose and dropped into the crankshaft. This had apparently happened at the dealership during a service (before she bought the car). Oil now covers most of the engine and smoke pours out of the exhaust. They won't admit any possible damage to the crankshaft and insist that she takes the car back as it is - in their words - "fixed". Does she have to take back a car she no longer has any trust in? "
Definitely not. Hand the car back to the Audi dealer for a full cash refund. Law here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/ If you took it to court the dealer would not stand a chance and he knows it.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Audi TT RS (2009 – 2015) cost?