Let's Review: 2019 Audi TT 20th Anniversary

As far as cars go - I am pretty unbiased in terms of what I like. A little of everything catches my eye, that said I do have an odd affinity for the Audi brand - this has translated into the ownership of over 40 Audis in my lifetime to date.

With that I have learned alot about the brand that I feel most other journalists and enthusiasts don't get to crack the surface on. The BMW M and AMG segment in performance mid level luxury blows Audis performance numbers out of the water on most fronts, albeit the Audi does tend to be a nicer place to be. This leaves them laden to unloving reviews or limited reviews to boot.

I will focus my review journey on all things with wheels, but I am laying the ground work with Audi due to my personal love for the brand, biased? Sure... but full circle, I have owned everything but an Audi as well.

Let's dive in - to the 20th Anniversary Audi TT - the forgotten special edition Audi that more people should know about. There were 999 of these cars built for the world, and only 40 Coupes & 40 roadsters sent to the USA. These cars are special in a few ways, if you know the history of the TT.

For starters, the colors - so these cars are from the factory Audi Exclusive inside & out, giving you the option for Nimbus Gray or Aviator Gray - and the famous baseball glove brown interior (the only way to achieve this interior on the MK3 TT was to opt for this special edition)

As you can see my particular car is finished in the Aviator Gray paint with that gorgeous interior.

I have since modified the car for my own purposes, with some H&R coilovers, a set of wheels, an intake, and a couple other bobs & bits to make it mine. I imported my car from Canada, making 41 coupes in the states, as I could not find one state side.

The car, at face value is just another TT - not to say that doesn't make it special, but it is fitted with the same 2.0 liter 4 cyl. The same MQB chassis, the same 7 speed S-tronic dual clutch box, and the same haldex AWD. In 2019 you did have the benefit of apple carplay & android auto, a nice touch from the 2016 TT I had, as well as the 7 speed in favor of the old 6 speed DSG which was a fine box, but a travesty in comparison to the updated 7 speed box.

All in all, this is a special car to look at, which is why I believe it needs more love, I know so many Audi and even TT enthusiasts that are unaware of some of these great special edition cars! Even when purchasing this car, I only found out about it because there was a similar spec roadster in for service at my Audi dealership, and I had no idea what it was!

I presume some of you may not know the driving habits of the TT - it of course was not really ever designed to be a daily driver. But certainly can be. The trunk is spacious, the seats are comfortable and it will squeak out 40 mpg on a long highway run. It is plenty quick for normal driving & handles the roadway very well stock. I am 6 feet and some change & am wildly comfortable in the car, I do notice some leg cramps on a 3 hr+ drive in the car, but that is normal being tall and being so low in the cockpit.

Understeer Understeer Understeer - this is something that plauges the stock car to the point I find it unbearable. Every TT that I have owned has had some type of rear sway bar added to remedy this and I find it to be a must on this chassis especially. The car isn't particularly heavy, but it does drive as such with the engine mounted over the front axles. The aluminum space frame assists in compensating for it's short comings but some aftermarket help is required. Even on stock suspension with the rear bar & maybe a dogbone insert this car is a riot to drive. Rivaling that of a Porsche Cayman (base) or most other sport coupes in class.

If you have never driven one, I certainly recommend it. I am in favor of the standard TT over over the S model, but not over the RS of course because 5cyl FTW. The mag ride in the TTS is unfavorable to modify the car, and the suspension will fail, getting bumpy and annoying. The bigger turbo is great, a simple stage 1 tune remedies any longing for power.

All of this said to say, the mk3 TT and in particular the 20th anniversary if you can find one is a very special car - get out and drive one!