Descripción
This is a very well sorted Mk1 TT Roadster and is quite special. Powered by the most potent version of the veritable Audi/ VAG 1. 8 litre 20-valve turbo engine - widely used across various Audi, VW and Seat models in the early 2000s - together with quattro four-wheel-drive, my car presents in rare, Desert Pearl Green Metallic paintwork, with reputedly the number of Mk1 roadsters in this colour in the UK being in single figures. One wag said he could understand why :-/ All according to taste I suppose but I love it, especially as my car's interior isn't the more usual and typically dour Audi black, but the more rarely seen, much softer Artic Grey colour scheme: pale grey carpets and trim panelling with leather-alcantara grey upholstery. The colour combination of green paintwork and grey interior work well, especially now the car has a brand new soft-top, also in grey.
This TT is also relatively rare for other reasons: aside from the 225q top-of-the-range spec - part-leather interior, xenons (with new bulbs), 6-speed box, etc etc, - it is fitted with the APX version of the 1. 8 litre engine, rather than the BAM version used in later cars. The APX is widely thought of as the stronger unit not least due to forged rather than cast internals. Also, early-model, standard specification on these top-of-the-range TTs included the superb Bose sound system amplifying the Concert 1 head unit. In my car, this has been upgraded with a bluetooth adapter for seamless connectivity to my phone, which although does not enable full 'hands-free' phone use, it does provide access through the system to music, internet radio, and GoogleMaps sat-nav. My car also sports the rarely seen, AudiSport logo discreetly embedded onto the steering wheel. Also acquired has been the difficult-to-source tonneau which makes a very neat cover to the soft-top when it's down. (Sorry the cat isn't included in the sale - can't shake him off). The very latest improvement to the car has been to have the alloys completely refurbished (Spring 2025). Just one is pictured but they are all the same - looking brand new.
My ownership of this unusual TT commenced in November 2019 and despite the car coming with a pretty comprehensive service history, it went directly to The TT Shop in Bedfordshire for a complete inspection and a major service, which, aside from a complete vehicle diagnosis, included replacing the cambelt and waterpump, the haldex unit oil and filter, and to have an OEM cruise control fitted. The overall prognosis was bright, however, indicating that the car had been well looked after throughout its life and little additional work has been required since other than regular servicing which of course, I have maintained scrupulously. Full details of all servicing work can be viewed on the car's webpage (details below).
Following this major service, also immediately required was a new soft-top. The factory-fitted items are always in black and clearly mine was original. Although the fabric itself remained in generally good, if tired-looking condition, the seams around the heated rear window glass were leaking in several places. So after plenty of research, Allhoods in Romford were chosen to supply and fit a replacement, with dark green selected for the fabric. Their TT Mk 1 hoods are imported from the USA and are well-made from good quality fabrics and competitively priced. The fitting of the hood to my car was completed in little more than a morning. The car looked great.
Four years later the heated rear window on this, by then, not quite so new green hood literally exploded into tiny pieces of toughened glass one autumn morning on the outskirts of le Mans, France. This was ahead of a 500km drive south in autumn weather conditions forecast to deteriorate! I patched up the hole with duct tape and continued the trip through France, amazingly without further incident, and although the forecast rain didn't immediately appear, on the way home a week or so later, it was positively tropical. Duct tape remained intact. Amazing. So once home, it was back to AllHoods for another new hood, this time I choose a mid-grey, to complement the car's interior.
Sadly, the car now needs a new home. There's nothing wrong with it - occasionally the belt driving the electric glass wind-deflector slips and chatters a bit a complete, replacement deflector assembly comes with the car, I've just not got around to fitting it, and the headlamp washers have never worked - a new pump is required I think but it's another job on the 'to do' list, maybe. The air-con is ice-cold, the central locking all works, as does the boot, and the fuel cover release systems. If you are looking for a very good TT as a 'keeper', then mine may be the one.
I can only hope this much-loved TT finds a new home where it will continue to be cherished and cared for. Read more about this TT's adventures, inspect every detail of the car's service history from new, and view more photos at the car's webpage at - details above
