Help buying 08 TT 2.0T and customizing or TTS

[rgjenkinsjr]

I'm hoping some of you can give me some useful input on an impending purchase. First, I'm buying a car to drive about 35,000 miles/year, so comfort and MPG are both considerations (not the only considerations, but considerations). I'm trying to decide whether to wait for the TTS or to buy on 08 TT 2.0T and have it modified with the Caractere R8-look bodykit and then some package of performance mods to up power without giving away too much on MPG and completely maintaining reliability. I want to have as much power and handling as possible while maintaining a ride I can live with and reliability. -- I am replacing a BMW and Jaguar in an attempt to be at least a bit more environment-friendly with my gas milage.

So, my questions -- thoughts on mod packages for the 2.0T? is there a completed Caractere kit anywhere in CA or FL that anyone knows of so that I can see what it really looks like? Maybe most important for me, recommendations on a shop or shops to do the work (I want it done absolutely right by people of experience and attention to detail)? Or, if I want basically the total-car service package that I'm describing, and I do, should I simply put in my order for the TTS?

I also have an 07 GTI/DSG that my nephew drives that is bone-stock and may do minor upgrades on that at the same time -- mostly to reduce turbo-lag. I would assume anyone who could handle the TT work would have no problem with this.

The only car I've ever had modified was the BMW and Dinan did all of that and the service, so I have no experience of putting components together rather than buying a 'package' and no knowledge of who a Dinan-equivalent would be with respect to Audi. Basically, I'm looking for someone I can trust and this forum seems to have some pretty knowledgable guys. I really appreciate any input anyone can offer. Thanks!

[myownstylett]

Put your order in on the TTs just my $0.02 but you will have to wait for production on mod's.

[saytheb]

While I love my 08 2.0T dearly.. comfort is not one of it's strong points. The seat begins to be a little pain on the rear after a while and takes a bit of fidgeting with the seats. I can never seem to get it to the right place either since rear tilt raises the seat forward AND tilts, and front tilt sinks you.

Also since the cup holder is directly to your right, expect to rest your arm either on top of a drink (assuming if you're driving that much you'll be carrying), or reach around it.

As for as performance and upgrades.. I'm on the edge of trying to get what I can.. I went APR stage 1 and saw a fairly big smack to my MPG, but I'm doing a lot of city driving and am a bit of a rager so i tend to boost a lot. Aside from that, the only things I've seen are fuel injectors, camshafts, turbos, intakes, intercoolers, pipes, suspension, shocks, coilovers, and spacers. Though that seems like a lot, there's not much choices. Maybe 1-3 things for most of what I've described above. I haven't seen any full exhaust kits yet, though APR should have one in the next few months (supposedly). I've been waiting for that before I do much else, so I can't recommend anything from personal use.

Otherwise, for massive gain aside from an ECU upgrade, I know performance cafe has a Bord turbo replacement for 2gs and a STaSIS kit for 5gs. Never ordered or used anything from em, so can't say either way if if the 2-5,000 upgrade is worth it!'

One side note though.. if it's the FWD 2.0T.. my only warning to you is bumping up the power even a little will cause some slip on the wheels if you do any fast acceleration from a dead stop, nothing major, though. I found ways to counteract the slip and haven't had a problem since!

Hope this helped a little!

[marcus1701]

35,000mil/ year wow lots of driving....I think go with the 2.0T coupe. As far as modifications go, I say go APR. Streetwerks in Palo Alto I have found to be very good as well.

[rgjenkinsjr]

Thanks for the input, guys. Yes, definitely planning on the coupe as opposed to the roadster. I've talked to the Stasis guys and am thinking about basically just getting their complete package.

I also talked to ABD in SoCal. They seem pretty knowledgable. Have you any experience of them?

Thanks again.