TTS v Cayman 2.7 v 135i

[Cootie]

Just had a browse at lunchtime at the latest Autocar. Fairly short article to be honest, but the conclusion was all three are really good, with the Cayman outpointing the TTS to win.

Seemed the most complimentary article I've yet read of the TTS, which was fitted with the S-tronic gearbox.

 

[Con S3]

I test drove the TTS last thursday night and wasnt blown away by it to be honest!!

It's a lovely car to look at IMO and it does make a nice noise out've those four pipes but aside from that it doesnt really stand out for me!! Really not a big fan of that S-Tronic gear box either, it just doesnt do what i want it to do quickly enough and sometimes not at all. I suppose it's just personal taste, im sure some people will love the improved S-Tronic gear box whereas i prefer to be more involved with the driving experience!!

You cant ignore the price tag either. When i speced up the TTS i wanted we were spanking £40k and thats Caymen territory and i know what i'd be buying for that doe!!

 

[Cootie]

Just don't think I could justify the extra cost over the S3, and that's ignoring the loss of practicality etc.

 

[golf]

From what I've read the TTS is just like every other Audi 'S' car and is far too clinical to be enjoyable. Does sound nice for a 4 cylinder engine and looks the part, unsure of those mirrors though, but you can't beat a Cayman for pure driving enjoyment. The 3.0 twin turbo in the 1 series is excellent, but it just looks so disjointed to me.

I'm sure the TTS with a nice remap will be very, very rapid.

 

[Kontraband]

Id have the 135i over the cayman 2.7 but NOT the 3 litre. Ive bought cars further down the series range before and every time I see another of the same make I always sit there thinking I wish I'd bought that one instead.

 

[Spin140]

Just don't think I could justify the extra cost over the S3, and that's ignoring the loss of practicality etc.

I'm pretty sure this is why I cancelled the order for mine, I just expected a lot more for the extra £7/8K, having said that if I had pxed straight from the S3 to the TTs i would probably have been happy but owning a TT in the meantime got me thinking especially as its very good in FWD guise.

Compare an A3 2.0T with an S3 and there is no contest, do the same contest with a 2.0T TT and the TTs and it becomes less clear IMO.

I only want to read crap reviews from now on !!!

 

[newbiecrg]

When i speced up the TTS i wanted we were spanking £40k and thats Caymen territory and i know what i'd be buying for that doe!!

Cayman territory is more 45k after you spec it mate....

Pedro

 

[Con S3]

Compare an A3 2.0T with an S3 and there is no contest, do the same contest with a 2.0T TT and the TTs and it becomes less clear IMO.

Absolutely nail on the head lad!!!

:thumbsup:

 

[Con S3]

Cayman territory is more 45k after you spec it mate....

Pedro

This may be true but i'd rather a Cayman without any toys than a TTS with them IMO.

The TTS just wasnt special enough for me and performance wise, it seemed no different to the S3 but you get two less seats!!

Did anyone notice a difference in the stiffness of the ride in the TTS and the S3? I found the TTS to be more forgiving even with the 19's (bearing in mind i know nothing about the mag suspension in the TTS). I didnt expect it at all!!

 

[newbiecrg]

I am the opposite... prefer a well specced model to a entry level one...

I could have got an A6, a 5 Series or even a Porshe Boxster for what I paid for my S3... And in the used market God knows what I could have got!!!

But each one to its own...

Pedro

 

[phantom]

135i for me out of that lot ( not saying it the best drivers car ) rear seats ( sort of ) are a must.

Plus with the performance kit it looks FIT , get up to 350bhp with a remap.

Alas about 37k though.

p

 

[Cootie]

135i for me out of that lot ( not saying it the best drivers car ) rear seats ( sort of ) are a must.

Plus with the performance kit it looks FIT , get up to 350bhp with a remap.

Alas about 37k though.

p

At list price maybe but I've heard of very healthy discounts as they're just not shifting them - I've seen standard spec new 135 M-Sports for £27876 which is a fair chunk off list.

 

[Iggu]

I've heard of very healthy discounts as they're just not shifting them

Because they're so hideously ugly ?

 

[jamiekip]

Because they're so hideously ugly ?

Ha ha, so very true!

 

[Cootie]

Ha ha, so very true!

Agree in a lot of the colours and with non-18" wheels, but have seen a 135i Sport in black with the larger wheels and think it looks decent - not pretty for sure but purposeful.

 

[phantom]

I didn't know they were THAT low!

I'm not keen on the looks of the Std car , i would need all the bit's on it to make it look good IMHO.

In black of course , maybe the'll come down in price faster than the S3 and i'll take one out.

p

 

[Iggu]

These shots flatter it Phantom - because you can't see the back.
They've got an ****-end only a cretin or a wind-up merchant could have designed.

My opinion of course.

 

[PaulAr]

From what I've read the TTS is just like every other Audi 'S' car and is far too clinical to be enjoyable. .

I agree the S3 is clinical, most here would concur, but to say its not enjoyable simply isnt true.

Cant comment on the other `S` cars as Ive not driven them.

Paul

 

[PaulAr]

However good it is, the 1 series coupe will always be in the shadow of the 3 series IMO.
(Ive only ever seen one on the road but it actually looked Ok.)

The 1 series hatch is certainly an `aquired taste` but it has definate identity as the BMW `small hatch`.

To me, the coupe comes across as cheaper, smaller 3 series clone.

BMW should have concentrated their efforts in heavily revising the styling on the 1 series hatch (and rear legroom issues?) and it we would have had a real winner.

Remember the 3 series Compact? No?...neither do I....
History repeating?

My 2p anyway.

Cheers
Paul

 

[phantom]

^^^^The 135i reminds me of a smaller e46 M3 ( and just as quick with better turbo tunning potential ) the M3 is too big IMHO all 3 series are.

Theres a Youtube vid of 5th Gear testing The Cayman 2.7 and the 135i head to head the BM won!

p

 

[PaulAr]

^^^^The 135i reminds me of a smaller e46 M3 ( and just as quick with better turbo tunning potential ) the M3 is too big IMHO all 3 series are.
p

I agree, and the very fact the 1 coupe looks like a small version of the 3 coupe rather than a more distinctive model in its own right, may be its weakness.
All IMveryHO of course.

Paul

 

[hatmeow]

Depending on the Specs the 135 and the 335 has only 40kg difference... the 335 is MUCH better looking...

My choice would be a bare bone Cayman... by a slight margin. The TTS would be quicker and easier to tune but looks wise the Cayman is in a different class.

Driving the 135 LOOKS like you cannot afford a proper BMW but you spent the amount for a TT. How sad!