equiTTation

I drove "my" 225 Coupe for a few miles today, mainly at low speeds with about 60 mph tops. Tomorrow I'm going to try it once more and include some freeway time and higher-speed turns. Then I've got to decide whether to trade my 180Q in for it or not. Right now I'm leaning on not.

The 225 has a great up-side. It has alot more torque and MUCH better power delivery than the 180Q, and feels much stronger through 2nd gear in particular. I am sure the 0-60 time and distance are far shorter. Red line comes up much quicker and with less buzzing, and the car has sustained strength to far higher rpms than the 180Q. I don't feel its power drop off at all, in fact. There is a little turbo lag in the name of acceleration but it is not at all objectionable. The sound of the engine is great; it isn't the note of a 911 but is fuller than before. There is a faint near-constant high-pitched whine which I assume is the bigger turbo, and unfortunately there is also an intermittent lower-pitched whine/howl in 1st and 2nd around 2800-3000 rpms that does not seem to come from the engine. I have no idea what is causing this but assume it can be remedied.

The 225 looks more aggressive too, which suits it. The spoiler, new wheel style and dual exhaust combine to give a hotter, if less classic look. It is more serious. I rather like the spoiler on this Denim Blue car, though it does make the lift weight of the rear deck quite a bit heavier. This 225 also has the Nav System, which appeals to me as a techie and also because I get lost all the time and am one of those guys who never will stop to ask directions! I'd like to have it. For what it's worth, I also noticed that the knee bolsters are a bit thicker and have a more wedged shape. Overall interior detail fit and finish is not quite as good as on my 180Q.

But there is a serious down-side to this car too. I don't think drivers who are not familiar with the unmodified car will find anything to complain about, but I find the understeer quite striking and the steering sadly heavy and slow at speeds under 40 mph, and the lower the speed the heavier it feels. At 20 mph a 180 degree back-and-forth sweeping of the steering wheel barely moves the nose of the car, whereas the same maneuver with my 180Q feels like a slalom run. By 40 mph the steering is much more responsive, but the "go-cart" light-on-its-feet agility is gone. The 180Q is, ultimately, more fun.

I am so sorry that Audi felt it had to change the handling characteristics of this car. I couldn't care less about ESP or the spoiler anymore, but I agree with Audi's insistance that there has never been anything wrong with the handling of this car...that is until now! I know that I can gain some of the power advantages of the 225 by chipping my 180Q, but I unfortunately don't know how to start with the 225 and regain the nimble feel of the older car. If you think it can be done I sure would like to hear about it before Monday!

On top of the above concerns is the cost factor. For a new buyer the 225 more than justifies its increased price over the 2000 180Q, but for the guy trading in a 180Q (circa 5500 miles) and combining the increased sales price with depreciation, it is hard to feel good about paying an extra $7000 or more for this car. But if it had retained the low speed agility of the 180Q I would do it in a second. What a combo that would have been!

If the drive tomorrow or any of your posts with suggestions on how to "unmodify" the steering of the 225 change my mind I'll let you know. For now, my advice is if you love the way your 180 feels but are wondering if the 225 might be even better, don't test drive it. I'm left feeling that both of these cars are unfulfilled dreams. The TT and its owners deserve BOTH the better motor AND the crisp handling, and it is obvious that both COULD be delivered. Tell me how to get there!

Janet

I agree that imagining what "MIGHT have been" makes me feel quite frustrated....I enjoyed your post.

koofta

Starting to feel bummed- after reading about handling shortcomings of 225 and increased turbo lag (over 180Q- in engine review post). I own a stealth twin turbo AWD and I find IT'S turbo(bi-) lag at 300 hp with a large six annoying, but tolerable. Seems like I'm in real trouble with the 225 I'm to get in two weeks. Maybe I should trade down to the 180Q and save the cash. I can't afford any more tickets at 140 mph. Or maybe still hold off two more years for the Jag sports car in the same price range. Comments?

EighTT

I like my 225q TT roadster a lot, but I wish that they had not messed with the suspension. I am pretty much a stock kind of guy, but I may very well do some suspension mods, if they will help me to recapture more of the handling character of my 180 FWD coupe.

I too would welcome comments from some of the more mechanically inclined as to how this could be done without breaking the bank. Additionally, I put in a call to one of the principals at Neuspeed, but so far I've only played telephone tag with him.<p><img src="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds/1.jpg" border="0">

<B>Brad Willis</B>

<FONT COLOR="#FF6600">2001 225q TT Roadster
No Borla
No Garrett
No Stickers</FONT>

<A HREF="http://home.san.rr.com/winefinds">SoCal Audi TT Club</A>

OTOF

next two years wondering if I'll trade in my 180 at the end of the lease or buy it. Leaning toward keeping my little go-kart forever. Of course, by that time they may worked this all out.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/Double.jpg" border="0">

Ulmer

First, installing a bigger (stiffer) rear anti-roll bar and a smaller front anti-roll bar will make the car more neutral in its handling. This wouldn't address the slower steering rate though. Which of the mods causes this change? Every time I see a 225 mini-review I hope someone will rave about the handling. I've only driven the 180Q and loved it. Mines a month off and I'm worried...

Brian

WaiTTmon

I'm one of those drivers that are not familiar with the unmodified car. But, I do appreciate your comments. I hope that Audi gets the message.

Fastlane

and let down that the 225Q has turned into something that it wasn't designed
to be. I'm somewhat relieved that I pulled out of line for my 225Q last month. (I was first on list for 1.5 years) Your review, and that of Brad's, reaffirms that I made the right choice. I'm shocked that the suspension modifications have changed the handling characteristics that much. But I trust and respect your opinions. I really thought that I would regret getting an NSX over the TT, but it seems that I made the right choice. I still love the looks of the TT and I can't my eyes off it when I see one on the street. Maybe one day a TT will fit my personality better. I hope so!

-Dr. Lane

d_ttrain

on my 180Q will turn out to be a good one. I got in on a group purchase to get a Garrett chip for $420 and the Borla is another $420 or so. So to have similar power of a 225Q with the ability to keep my nimble handling might just give me the best of both worlds. I'm just worried about blowing up my engine by putting too much stress on it, or otherwise nullifying my warranty. My name is on the list to trade up, so I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!<p><img src="http://www.beer-lover.com/images/me&mytt.jpg">

equiTTation

Thanks Janet; I'm another Blue/Grey like you, btw