2002 Audi TTQ225 vs 2003 Mini Cooper S

[BltByKrmn]

AKA I'm looking to tempt fate again shortly after owning a B6 S4 without disastrous results.



But seriously for the same price would you choose a TTQ225 or a MCS?

[Shomegrown]

Do you plan on modding it?

Stock vs Stock, I'd probably get the Mini. The TT can be fun when you bolt stuff to it and you won't be limited by FWD.

My dad has an MK1 TT 225 quattro with like 30k miles on it. It's chipped/exhaust/coilovers/swaybars (basic bolt ons) and it's fun to drive, much moreso than stock.

[BltByKrmn]

Do you plan on modding it?

Extensively? Probably not, but maybe a few things here or there. Probably a chip/ecu flash for either of them, exhaust, maybe some suspension mods, maybe a shifter, but I can't see much else beyond basic bolt-ons.

[Shomegrown]

Extensively? Probably not, but maybe a few things here or there. Probably a chip/ecu flash for either of them, exhaust, maybe some suspension mods, maybe a shifter, but I can't see much else beyond basic bolt-ons.

Then I say TT.

I personally like the ALMS editions if you can find one. The car is cake to work on compared to the S4 you had, and shouldn't give you problems if it was cared for.

[Basil Fawlty]

I'd either get a Honda Fit or an F-40.

[Jerico007]

The Audi....I am just not a big fan of the minis..

[BltByKrmn]

Then I say TT.

I personally like the ALMS editions if you can find one. The car is cake to work on compared to the S4 you had, and shouldn't give you problems if it was cared for.

I love the ALMS as well and would actually prefer the VR6, but unfortunately they are substantially more. This vehicle will commute 4 miles daily and also double as something that's slightly entertaining to drive once in a while, so not looking to spend much on it.

[Mike!]

Mini. That one pictured was (is?) for sale by a TCLer too.

I've driven both and I just prefer the steering and handling of the Mini.

[gizmopop]

I love the ALMS as well and would actually prefer the VR6, but unfortunately they are substantially more. This vehicle will commute 4 miles daily and also double as something that's slightly entertaining to drive once in a while, so not looking to spend much on it.

Have you considered an R32? You'd get AWD and the VR6 (the same as the TT actually), as well the hatchback form of the Mini.

[Numbersix]

Early MCS's have proven to be maintenance headaches for many owners. I wouldn't want an R53 older than a 2006, personally.

[Harv]

I wouldn't touch a pre-2006 MCS.

Even the good 1st gens are jarring rides. You bounce around alot, lots of creeks and rattles, etc. The 2nd gen MC is much more livable.

[VarianceVQ]

I don't care for the TT.

I like the Mini but wouldn't buy one of the early, chintzy-interior models with questionable reliability.

[1badg35]

Since i sold you the s4, I thought I would chime in. I sold a 2002 tt225 for the b6 s4. Had the Tt for about 15 months. Hated it. It was cramped(understatement) side widows sucked for visibility, never felt comfortable in it, very cheesy interior quality, and it really did nothing particularly well. The Haldex was so so, the power was so so, trans was notchy but not in a particularly good way, the handling was so so. S4 ran circles around it in every aspect and it was a 3800lb car. Keep your options open, as I have a feeling you won't like the car very much. And again my Tt was a 70k mile car with absolutely no issues, no bs. Was not a fan.

[PsyberVW]

Since i sold you the s4, I thought I would chime in. I sold a 2002 tt225 for the b6 s4. Had the Tt for about 15 months. Hated it. It was cramped(understatement) side widows sucked for visibility, never felt comfortable in it, very cheesy interior quality, and it really did nothing particularly well. The Haldex was so so, the power was so so, trans was notchy but not in a particularly good way, the handling was so so. S4 ran circles around it in every aspect and it was a 3800lb car. Keep your options open, as I have a feeling you won't like the car very much. And again my Tt was a 70k mile car with absolutely no issues, no bs. Was not a fan.

I've never understood this visibility compliant about the TT. Or any size complaints. I'm ~6'4 and fill up the interior of TT- however its never felt cramped to me at all. On the contrary, I feel like its one of those cars that looks small outside but feels big inside.
In terms of visibility, I think it's brilliant. I have no blind spot at all with properly adjusted mirrors - making the car a convenient joy to drive most of the time.

I've had my TT for nearly 10 years now. It's been used as a daily driver, a weekend toy, a paperweight..

If anything stands out as a drawback to this car, it's the fact that it feels like a show car you can drive. While it sounds awesome (and it is - I never got tired of getting into that practically bespoke interior) - its also pretty finicky. Little things break - like the latch on the glovebox door, or the cup holders, or the latches on the first aid kit/cd changer compartments, the cd changer, the cell phone antenna, the license plate lights on the trunk, the headliner, etc... And the problem is a mathematic formula that looks like this:

small part failure x expensive costs for replacement x limited supply + the time spent tracking them down and replacing them

As far as drivetrain, it's fairly relable - especially the 225- however I have learned that the tranny is a time bomb. The shift cable tend to loosen up - especially with aggressive driving - which can lead to some crunchy shifts and eventually a broken shift fork.

So you need to be vigilant and pro-active with your maintenance.
But don't let all this talk you out of he car, it's meant more as a lesson learned to help you get the most out of it

As for mods, there are lots of options.
1. Bigger turbo ~$2000
2. Haldex tuning (~$1000?)
3. ECU ~$600?
4. Suspension

despite any issues I've had with my car, I till love it.

[stascom]

I always wanted the 225HP Quattro version myself. But it never happened. Thus, my choice is the Audi.

[Son]

Buy a TT and go quattro sport style!

[20aeman]

I've never understood this visibility compliant about the TT. Or any size complaints. I'm ~6'4 and fill up the interior of TT- however its never felt cramped to me at all. On the contrary, I feel like its one of those cars that looks small outside but feels big inside.
In terms of visibility, I think it's brilliant. I have no blind spot at all with properly adjusted mirrors - making the car a convenient joy to drive most of the time.

I've had my TT for nearly 10 years now. It's been used as a daily driver, a weekend toy, a paperweight..

If anything stands out as a drawback to this car, it's the fact that it feels like a show car you can drive. While it sounds awesome (and it is - I never got tired of getting into that practically bespoke interior) - its also pretty finicky. Little things break - like the latch on the glovebox door, or the cup holders, or the latches on the first aid kit/cd changer compartments, the cd changer, the cell phone antenna, the license plate lights on the trunk, the headliner, etc... And the problem is a mathematic formula that looks like this:

small part failure x expensive costs for replacement x limited supply + the time spent tracking them down and replacing them

As far as drivetrain, it's fairly relable - especially the 225- however I have learned that the tranny is a time bomb. The shift cable tend to loosen up - especially with aggressive driving - which can lead to some crunchy shifts and eventually a broken shift fork.

So you need to be vigilant and pro-active with your maintenance.
But don't let all this talk you out of he car, it's meant more as a lesson learned to help you get the most out of it

As for mods, there are lots of options.
1. Bigger turbo ~$2000
2. Haldex tuning (~$1000?)
3. ECU ~$600?
4. Suspension

despite any issues I've had with my car, I till love it.

Tranny isn't a time bomb. It just doesn't respond well go Gorillas smashing it into gear.

It's not rocket science; apply nominal pressure until gear is engaged. Do not smash gears into place.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

2002 Audi TTQ225

I still love those things.

[G_RockNYTN]

Can't speak to the Mini, but I loved my ALMS TT. Only did suspension, brakes, and an APR tune and it was really fun.



and my favorite mod...

[PsyberVW]

Tranny isn't a time bomb. It just doesn't respond well go Gorillas smashing it into gear.

It's not rocket science; apply nominal pressure until gear is engaged. Do not smash gears into place.

I don't. It is junk. Look it up.

Uses a piece of brass for the shift fork and as the lines get sloppy over time, the shift fork takes the hit. It happens subtly and builds up to catastrophic failure.

After '02, Audi changed from using ball ends to a lobster clamp to try to keep it in spec longer, but apparently it's not a huge benefit.


Most common are the 1-2 gears and 5-6. 3-4 is a little beefier and less prone/common to fail.

There are several products on the market to fix this, for good reason.

[FourPointOh]

I owned a 2001 TT 225 for 1.5 years, and I currently drive an '04 Cooper S.

The Mini will run circles around the TT on a track setting, and mine has proven to be more reliable than the TT as well. I always felt like the TT handled so goofy, it felt like an overweight GTI with a poor AWD system, which is effectively what it is. I did enjoy the interior of the TT a bit more, but it doesn't have as much space. Just my .02

[S4cabriofox]

R53 MCS will be ****loads more fun than any TT short of a new RS (and maybe that too). And it will get better mpg and be slightly more practical while doing it. Don't listen to TCL polls with any VAG cars in them

[71DubBugBug]

Never been in a TT, but was in a MCS convertible, and was not impressed, yes the car zips around, but it didnt feel rite to me

like all audis and vws, get one that has been maintained, and you should be alright
also, mini coopers are not exactly cheap to fix

its too bad the 3.2 was never offered with a 6 speed manual, the extras on the exteiror of those really set them apart, and are very appealing visually

[NoXenons]

Every single Mini driver I've met was a d*ckhead. Don't be a d*ckhead. Get the TT

[patrikman]

TTQ because Blizzaks and stuff.