Is the quattro really worth it, or is the FWD fine?

[Dima]

I am looking at a few TT's to buy this weekend, and I am noticing the FWD version is MUCH cheaper than the quattro version. I live in San Francisco area, but do have a house in Tahoe (snow). I want a fun sporty car, but also want something I can take to Tahoe on the occasional weekend (mind you I also have a BMW X3 for the family... wife's car). Is the quattro really worth the added price, or is the FWD version going to be fine?

Thanks
DIma

[NeonOngeHatGuy]

i have a 2000 FWD...seems fine to me...its been put on Virginia International Raceway numerous times. Test drove both when before i bought mine and the quattro has some noticeable lag to it...but probably nothing a few mods wouldnt fix. I love my FWD though.

[Ewok_Fetus]

FWD is fine when it comes to a TT... Even in 2" of solid ice with Z rated tires, my TT did just fine...

[ginkof]

i would go with the quattro. Part of buying an Audi is having the legendary Quattro AWD system that audi had developed. My boss has a TT convertible with snow tires for those new england winters and it is awesome. I would much rather be in the snow then a AWD TT then a BMW X3... hope yours is better then this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nX-bxVLrGg (togear... gotta love it)... but then again its not my money but that is my 2 cents

[toaster]

there is little difference between an audi without quattro and a castrated male.

without quattro, you have none of the history behind the name, and barely any of the thrilling performance that sets audi above all other non-exotics.

and honestly, who drives fwd?

[Quattrotakis]

Doesn't the TT run a Haldex which is FWD Biased?

[blackedoutt]

The quattro tt drives like a fwd with a slight lag until you lose traction, which once all four kick in, you don't ever lose traction on pavement. Well worth it. Better in the snow than a pickup.

[MTMBerlin]

I am looking at a few TT's to buy this weekend, and I am noticing the FWD version is MUCH cheaper than the quattro version. I live in San Francisco area, but do have a house in Tahoe (snow). I want a fun sporty car, but also want something I can take to Tahoe on the occasional weekend (mind you I also have a BMW X3 for the family... wife's car). Is the quattro really worth the added price, or is the FWD version going to be fine?

Thanks
DIma

The front wheel drive should of course be fine without any problems... Depending on the engine type you choose you'll seriously see a difference at more than 250hp. If you choose a 2.0L TFSI with 200hp and plan to do some upgrades you may be fine with FWD. Less weight and of course less money you have to spend... On the other hand quattro gives you some serious improvement in handling and more safety escpecially if its not dry outside.

If you choose a 2.0L TFSI (build 2006 or later) you'll probably be fine with the FWD and if you're planning upgrades to 250 or 270hp that may still be fine. For everything above that quattro is the option to take.

If you choose a 1.8L T the Audi TT Quattro Sport is the car which probably makes to most fun out of all TT 8N's... 240hp - 320Nm of torque. This one is only avaiable with Quattro...

[Dima]

OK, thanks for the advice. I am goiung the quattro route. I wil be going out to LA this wekend to check out an 01

Dima

[MTMBerlin]

OK, thanks for the advice. I am goiung the quattro route. I wil be going out to LA this wekend to check out an 01

Dima

So this one is probably a 1.8 T quattro with (225 hp) and a max. torque of 280 Nm. You can upgrade that engine to 345hp if you have the money ;)

[O 16581 72452 5]

I wouldn't mind FWD, my car is a daily and i don't use the AWD for anything, just a waste of power through the drivetrain and extra weight to me. Now for handling...when i take my car around some bends, that AWD is amazing, the RWD bias makes it more predictable than regular AWD to me.

[libtech75]

I test drove every incarnation of the MK1 TT before I purchased mine (a 180hp FWD). I actually preferred the 180hp FWD to the 180hp Quattro as the Quattro felt much heavier and slower than the FWD no doubt due to the extra weight. The FWD has a bit of understeer yes, but the Quattro on the TT is a haldex and didn't have the same feel as the Quattro system on my previous A4 which felt superior.

If you are talking about a 225hp Quattro then there wouldn't be as much issue over the speed althoug the 225hp had quite a bit of turbo lag in my experiences with it.

For the money, I would definitely stick with the FWD model. With proper tires, a FWD car can be as good in snow as an AWD car. I am running Goodyear F1 A/S in 18" Rims and my car was absolutely great during last winter with several snowstorms.

Remember AWD does not mean you have better traction when braking.

I am very happy with it.

[AudiOso]

The Quattro TT's are a nice cars, but so are the FWD ones. It comes down to do you want the AWD or not. That and the extra 45 HP the 225 has. I'd skip a 180 Quattro car as they're not that quick.

[deephouse]

That's the Ultimate Audi purist question.

I can honestly say that even though AWD weighs more, and gets less gas mileage I'll choose Quattro over FWD any day of the week.

But that is for you to decide.

Bear in mind you're saving $$ up front, you're saving money on gas, and you're saving maintenance (i.e. basically you dont have to worry about any drive shaft issues).

I can think of one example where I was utterly dissapointed w/ FWD, and its from personal experience....in Tahoe in fact, with a B7 2.0T FWD car:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120976

[Thomas@TAI-VW]

I purposely chose FWD for the fact that it is;
1.Lighter by almost 300lbs.
2.Transmissions/clutches are compatible with the most popular VW models
3.Clutch work/maintenance is MUCH easier/cheaper
4.Installing a BT setup and downpipe is just like aVW
5.No rear multi link suspension with myriad bushings to wear out and squeak/clonk
6.No expensive haldex system to fail
7.No expensive rear diff to fail
8.Since the TT is not TRUE quattro FULL time AWD,and only operates when it detects front tire slip,then 99% of the time,unless you live in a snowy/icy area,you are just lugging 300lbs. of extra crap along.
9.Car feels much lighter and tossable.

[selmer]

Is there any TT225 without Quattro??

[Thomas@TAI-VW]

Yes,if you put a KO4 or bigger turbo in there!

[Zapjackson]

Well I've been debating this issue for sometime now, as I have been looking at TTs for a while. I used to have an '03 GTI which is mechanically a 180 FWD TT. It was great, but in no means was it anywhere close to being as great as my friends R32 in the snow. Yes the quattro is heavier, but you are getting an independant rear suspension, and some nice little perks such as bigger brakes and a much better K04 turbo setup (225). In my area they seem to be all in the same price range anyways, its just a matgter of finding one that you like. I'll be going with the 225.

[m5racer]

I must say, if your looking at getting a tt (sports car) then i would say stick with the quattro. If you get the 225 1.8t or the new 2.0t you will be amazed at how the quattro handles the turns. Pluss who gets a FWD sports car anyways? Im saying look out at the market. a real sports car come with eather a RWD or AWD. FWD is for civics and toyota's

[ed@mtl]

I know it's not a TT but this is why Quattro is a must...

[blackedoutt]

he probably just blasted the defrost, turned up the heated seat, and pulled right out of that spot.

[m5racer]

This is also why you get quattro, so stuff like this is mroe of a joke/fun then anything



Yes the snow is actaully up to the spoiler on the TT (stock suspension)


Un-plowed parking lot after 30+cm of snow

[A4 JooN 2.0T]

This is also why you get quattro, so stuff like this is mroe of a joke/fun then anything



Yes the snow is actaully up to the spoiler on the TT (stock suspension)


Un-plowed parking lot after 30+cm of snow

mmmmm snow yummy!

[misybailey1]

I have a 2008 3.2 Quattro TT with sports mode and magnetic suspension. I drove a FWD before I made my choice. I don't really notice the lag some folks have referred to. What I do love about my car is the peppiness off the line, especially in sports mode. I also feel very safe with the quattro. There is a horseshoe shaped street that my business is on, and late at night, in the rain, I was going very fast, hit the turn and was unable to break the back end, even with the esp off.
So, I would say if you can afford it, get the Quattro, you won't regret it.

[.clipse]

pf.

torsen > haldex

[Eyerate]

no quattro, no care

[coachvtt]

Get the Q TT!....Takes curves like its on rails...I love mine

[InTTruder]

Depends on your driving ability. That's all.

[m5racer]

Get the Q TT!....Takes curves like its on rails...I love mine

i love that feeling, Highway on ramps are amazing!

[GyzmoS4]

I have a 2008 3.2 Quattro TT with sports mode and magnetic suspension. I drove a FWD before I made my choice. I don't really notice the lag some folks have referred to. What I do love about my car is the peppiness off the line, especially in sports mode. I also feel very safe with the quattro. There is a horseshoe shaped street that my business is on, and late at night, in the rain, I was going very fast, hit the turn and was unable to break the back end, even with the esp off.
So, I would say if you can afford it, get the Quattro, you won't regret it.

No lag b/c yours is a v6 with no turbo. Yours is faster than a 1.8T stock.
In any event torsen>haldex>fwd.

[blackedoutt]

torsen>haldex>fwd.

it just depends on budget.

[b6onboost]

^ Budget does not change the fact that torsen>haldex>fwd. Quattro is better, but it depends on the driver as to wheather it is 'worth it'.

[jejeclown]

"there is little difference between an audi without quattro and a castrated male."

nuff said

[m5racer]

"there is little difference between an audi without quattro and a castrated male."

nuff said

I love that quote, got it in my msn name! but only beucase its the truth!!!

[pensive]

Ask yourself this: is everyone driving a FWD/2WD going off a cliff and getting into accidents in wet, snowy or generally bad weather? Is everyone driving a AWD including those with an Audi Quattro avoiding accidents? Do you normally drive in a race track or muddy/gravel grounds? If the answer is no to the above, you don't need an AWD or Quattro. And if you're a lousy driver or approaching one who is, the latest fancy gadgets out there ain't gonna save you from an accident-no matter what the weather or condition. An AWD is optional in most cars. However, if you live in the northern U.S. which gets more snow and inclement weather, an AWD might be the wiser choice. Some people driving a Quattro might tout it as the "better" option to justify the money they spent (now lighter wallets); but if you don't really need it year round, don't get it. If you're like most drivers who spend more time in normal city driving conditions, a FWD is perfectly fine and even more economical or eco friendly.

[dolphinaudi]

The MK2 has Gen 4 Haldex which is excellent, it has no FWD bias and can apply power to wheels instantly. I would still go with the Gen 3 Haldex in the MK1 too, it just has some distinct advantages in the snow.

http://www.billswebspace.com/HALDEX.pdf

[markpetersonii]

I know this is an older thread, but it looks like it's been bumped before.

I'm back at looking at getting a TT. More than likely just a daily and something that I can drive from NC (or CA, when I move) to Minnesota, in winters. This might fit the bill pretty well and I would definitely be getting a 225 Quattro. Why would you even buy an Audi that doesn't have Quattro? Anyway, thanks for creating this thread OP, if you still exist. This was the best "TT Quattro in snow" thread I could find.

[BMWBig6]

Why would you even buy an Audi that doesn't have Quattro?

I can think of several reasons, already covered in this thread. I have both a quattro and non-quattro Audi and enjoy them both. And not all quattro systems are equal (don't fall for the marketing hype). Torsen > Haldex.

[markpetersonii]

I can think of several reasons, already covered in this thread. I have both a quattro and non-quattro Audi and enjoy them both. And not all quattro systems are equal (don't fall for the marketing hype). Torsen > Haldex.

Oh I know that. I don't plan on racing, so there isn't a reason that I would need it to be lighter. It's solely as a DD and cruising car.