Review
After more than 3,000 miles behind the wheel of our long-term TT, I feel in the position to make a few suggestions to anyone thinking of ordering one.
The first thing I would say is: good choice. The TT continues to be a joy to own, blending style and performance with badge appeal.
That’s surely the holy trinity when it comes to keeping user-choosers and fleet managers happy, isn’t it?
Less charitable ‘friends’ have accused me of being either a hairdresser or of driving a Golf GTI in drag, but I think they’re just jealous.
And badly informed, certainly on the second point, because the TT’s body is 69% aluminium – which the GTI’s certainly isn’t.
What this means is that the TT in front-wheel drive form tips the scales at just under 1,300kg – combined with 200bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and this provides sparkling performance.
Some German rivals could take note here – power is not everything.
But back to my recommendations.
Firstly, don’t be tempted to tick the Audi Magnetic Ride options box.
Not only is it pointless but it will also save you £1,150.
Through habit and personal preference I’ve kept it in sport mode, which provides a very firm ride, but in the past week I’ve been trying it in normal mode.
To be honest, there’s not a lot of difference – even normal offers a hard ride, with every road imperfection passed through the chassis and up to your backside.
I’m sure the optional 18-inch alloy wheels on our test car don’t help either.
I would use some of that £1,150 to invest in a couple of optional extras that I wish I had ticked the box for, though.
First up would be Xenon headlights at £975 (although this includes directional headlights).
The standard lights are poor when driving down country lanes and having experience of Xenons I know what a massive difference they can make.
I’d also splash £180 on the multi-function steering wheel.
Even though the stereo volume control is within arm’s reach when driving, I still find myself thumbing on the left steering wheel spoke searching for the roller button which I’ve used on various Audis to control the radio.
It’s a little thing, but that £180 would be worth it to save me from getting annoyed.
Of the optional extras fitted to our car, the heated seats at £250 are proving a real boon.
Heated seats may be no big deal these days, but what sets the TT’s apart are the speed in which they warm up – in less than two minutes I’m toasty warm.
