How reliable/strong are Audi TT's?

[xxForgedxx]

These cars are intriguing to me mainly because it is/can be a coupe WITH AWD. Most coupes are RWD or FWD. I was wondering however, given Audis reputation for high maintenance/finicky/unreliable/unpredictable cars I was wondering how well the TT holds up and why or why not is the reliability/maint different than other Audis. It's easy to get scared off from an unpredictable or constant headache of a car like a B5 S4 for example. It's been said that if it is not a 2005+ Audi (and even these newer years have been problematic) then forget it unless you LIKE a car that spends time in the shop.

-How strong is the clutch, AWD system (transfer case, differentials...whatever) what kind of driving can it handle and what are known problems with it? How much power can you safely make, drive hard and expect no problems?

-What are the modifications levels can this car handle while staying strong (longevity in mind)?

-What problems are there with what year/trim TT and why?

[G Men 08]

the more power you add the less reliable its going to be it doesnt matter what car it is, audi bmw ford chevy... clutch from what ive read hold up pretty good depending on driver, should easily see 75-100k... that too depends on the power you throw at it (stock clutch) more power=stronger clutch obviously, the quattro system i have never heard anything about that breaking or anything close to it 1.8t can make serious power if you have the money but like stated more power= less reliable.. hope this helps and im sure some others will chime in as well

[bob12312357]

IF your looking for fast reliable luxury go with a Subaru legacy Gt. If you just want fast go Subie or Evo. A TT moded 2 the balls will be chipped evo/STI fodder and engine internals will start blowing wa b4 a subie or Evo putting down the same quarter times.
The Quattro system is just about bulletproof, the 6spd trannies on the newer ones have aproblematic 3rd gear. My A4 which is the same motor has 130K miles with 30+K chipped on the stock clutch. A couple of launches were done and a track day and it still doesn't slip so can't complain there.

[xxForgedxx]

IF your looking for fast reliable luxury go with a Subaru legacy Gt. If you just want fast go Subie or Evo. A TT moded 2 the balls will be chipped evo/STI fodder and engine internals will start blowing wa b4 a subie or Evo putting down the same quarter times.
The Quattro system is just about bulletproof, the 6spd trannies on the newer ones have aproblematic 3rd gear. My A4 which is the same motor has 130K miles with 30+K chipped on the stock clutch. A couple of launches were done and a track day and it still doesn't slip so can't complain there.

Well is the 3rd gear just an issue with syncros? Correctable without emptying a bank account? And you say newer 6 speed trannies? What year range would this be? I'm intrigued by the TT because prices are coming down, and I also like the NEWest ones but wouldn't buy anything but a quattro, there are better FWD cars IMO but add a good awd system to a coupe and it makes it a year round fun car. I just wonder if the electrical problems or things failing or breaking are worth less then what the car rewards someone with

[mrchet]

Check out the FAQ's on Audiworld and VWVortex in the MkI TT forums for known issues.

Some that are very common include:

Instrument Cluster failures ($$$$)
Window Regulators ($$)
MAF ($)

Quattro/Haldex seems ok if you flush the fluid regularly every 20K
Stock suspension known to not last too long 30-40K tops

Not the cheapest cars to maintain but treated right will last a long time. There are many 1.8Ts out there with 200K plus miles. But, as mentioned before reliability will be highly dependent on how you drive the car and what you do to it.