2008 Audi TT used car test drive: Get the Quattro and get used to a lurchy DSG

 
Just test-drove an Audi TT from my dealer service fleet.

It was a 2008 model with only 10,000 miles on it and FrontTrack (no Quattro). Will it make a great Audi certified pre-owned car some day? How is the TT holding up after a year in the loaner fleet?

The TT is a handsome car inside and out that has sports car potential. But it has some quirks that make it difficult to live with.

It spins the front wheels like a Oldsmobile Alero
Do you remember the Alero from the 90’s? It was front wheel drive car with a strong V6 and torque steer from hell. This Audi TT without Quattro is a modern day Alero.

plenty of torque + turbo lag + front wheel drive = You will look like a hack who can’t drive
A strong engine with initial turbo lag and low traction conspire to make you look like a hack who can’t modulate the gas pedal. You will spin the tires in the city, especially while turning, even if you are trying hard not to.

What fun is a sports car when you got to be super careful about applying the gas? Want to make a quick right turn without drama? What to merge quickly on the freeway without loosing you steering feel or aim? Forgetaboutit.

Get the Quattro. Seriously.
Audi should have never sold any TT without Quattro. (Thankfully all 2009 and 2010 models come standard with it).

Capable on mountain roads
I took the TT on my usual test loop to Saratoga, CA and up highway 9 to the summit road. The combination of quick tight corners and long sweeping curves is a great way to test the suspension and steering set up. The TT performed very well (aside from the traction problems), with predictable handling and high limits even without the sports package. The steering is getting almost BMW 3 series precise and most importantly my lady passenger said she felt secure being driven fast in the TT. Ultimately, the Audi TT has a bit too much weight up font, which translates into too much under steer. But this is entirely save set up and does not seriously interfere with having fun.

The DSG Transmission is great on the open road, sucks in city
Many good things have been written about the DSG and I agree it’s an excellent transmission – most of the time. The DSG dual clutch automatic fires gears off quickly and smoothly in manual or automatic mode. Regardless if you give it full power, half power, shift at redline or at 2,000 rpm. It’s always crisp and fast. Fun, fun, fun.

But, the Audi TT also suffered from a lurchy automatic.
When you come to a stop the engine rpm briefly drops until the car shakes. A few times I was looking for the clutch pedal with my left foot. Then, as you let go of the break the car starts to shake (again) and then lurches forward as you give it some *gentle* gas. Try to park a car with a lurching automatic and you will look like a fool who doesn’t have motor skills. I’ve talked to my local Audi service advisor and apparently this is a common problem with the DSG. There is no fix for it, you just have to live with it.
If you do a lot of city or stop and go traffic it will annoy the hell out of you.  I expect better from Audi. Much better.

Bottom Line
If you are interested in the Audi TT the “must have” option is the Quattro. The front wheel drive is killing all sporty driving ambitions and fatally flaws an otherwise capable little sports car.
Cruising around town in the TT does not satisfy their either. The ride is a bit busy and choppy, the engine is vibrating (especially in stop and go traffic) and the DSG automatic is lurchy.  It’s definitely not a smooth cruiser like a Mercedes SLK.

The Porsche Boxster is clearly the better sports car for a few thousand extra. I’m no friend of the BMW Z4 (because of the non-BMW like handling), but at least it offers a much smoother engine and automatic.
Still want the Audi TT?  Get the Quattro and check if you can live with the jerky DSG and vibrating engine. Also, watch the options list and keep it simple. A roadster/ sports coupe should be simple and fun. Even if you load it up with options it will never be a luxury car.

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2011 BMW 550i Test Drive dissapoints. What's happening to BMW engineering?

I was really looking forward to driving the brand new 400 horsepower 550i, but walked away disappointed.
There are two problems with the 2011 550i. The suspension shows some serious high-speed flaws that are uncharacteristic of BMWs. And although the V8 turbo engine is powerful it does not quite fit to a luxury car.
Let me explain.

The biggest flaw of the new 5 series: An incoherent suspension
BMW usually stands for sporty and fun handling. But five minutes into my test drive I was disappointed -  actually I was pissed (maybe I’m taking this thing too seriously? )
I expect excellent high-speed stability form a German sports sedan. But, quick lane changes on the freeway produced a slow reacting and unsettled rear end.  It tends to swing side to side and reduces driver confidence to about zero. It felt like a stabilizer bar was missing or the electronics can’t respond fast enough. Maybe it’s the rear active steering I have to get used to, but the suspension set up is not at all buttoned down.

Even in the sportiest setting (Sport or Sport +) it was a bit scary in quick lane change maneuvers.
Once the car does settle down it pulls very nicely through fastest corners (as one would expect from a BMW). But the initial looseness takes all fun out of driving fast. What a disappointment. I expect much better form BMW.


Here is the second issues with the 550i: The turbo lag

The engine is great, until you drive it really fast or really slow
The Twin Turbo V8 is a model of smoothness and power. It’s deceptively fast and you find yourself doing triple digits in no time. It’s worthy of an expensive luxury car.  Until you drive it very slow or very fast, at which point it all falls apart. Blame the turbos and the delayed power delivery.
Yes, there is noticeable turbo lag, not matter what other auto journalists say.

Case in point 1: Launching the car from standstill.
With 400 hp and 450 pound feet of torque you think that it would helplessly spin the rear tires, but not so. Floor the gas and it accelerates drama free. Traction control steps in at an unusually high 5,000 rpm when the turbos are on full blast. The car is fast, it just doesn’t launch as hard as you think. Power comes on like a tsunami: Slow but relentless. Full torque at 1,750 rpm like the BMW brochure says? Doesn’t feel like it – not at all.

Case in point 2: While on the freeway put the auto in manual and stomp on the gas.
At 2,000 rpm in 8th gear the engine needs 3 to 4 seconds (and eternity if you want to pass or make a quick merge) until full power comes on. Even at 5,000 rpm the engine takes a second to spool up. That is turbo lag at its finest.
Why would I keep the engine at 2,000 rpm and then floor the gas? First, I like to drive in manual mode and second, a powerful luxury car should have enough grunt at low engine speeds. Dropping a few gears and flogging the engine is the hallmark of lesser cars and at over $80,000 as tested price I expect power whenever I need it.

You can’t drive it smoothly
If I haven’t picked enough on the turbos here is another thing to consider. Taking off smoothly is almost impossible. Let’s say you are taking your hot date out for dinner. As you ease into the gas the car takes off, and then bam the turbos hand out an extra jolt. Right after that the auto shifts into second gear and your slender date’s head moves again, this time forward. You will look like a guy with money but no driving skills. Bad. A luxury car supposed to make you look good.
For a comparison purposes BMW had a Mercedes E350 on hand and it took off smoothly every time, like a luxury car should. (The Mercedes does not have a turbo engine.)
BTW, the 535i also has a turbo and it is also jerky off the line, a bit less than the 550i though.

The V8 Turbo is not yet ready for luxury cars
I’m sorry to beat up turbo engines here, but the lack of instant power and the non-linearity just does not fit to a luxury car. Put the same engine in a sports car and all that might be forgiven. I guess some more engineering time is needed to iron out the power delivery issues.


Here are the good points:

Excellent Automatic
The new 8 speed automatic has quick smooth shifts, in maual or automatic mode. This is the way to go as far as automatics is concerned. Expect this unit to show up in all future BMW’s.  Nice job.
It’s Comfortable
Aside from the harsh riding run-flat tires (all BMW come with it) the car is comfortable, quite, and luxurious. It offers slightly more room than the previous 5 series and has enough space front and back for a 6.2 foot guy. If only my knees wouldn’t rest against harsh edges on either side it would be close to perfect.
The Interior is well done
No complaints about the interior. It’s luxurious, classy and rich. It leaves the E class Mercedes in the dust and it even makes the usually stylish Audi look less appealing.
Except for the cup holders. They are hidden under a large high-gloss cover that creates annoying reflections anytime the sun shines in. And closing the cover sounds like taping on cheap plastic found in economy cars.

The Exterior is not going to win design awards
The 5er shows classic BMW style albeit interpreted in a very conservative manner. It’s a shape that is non-offensive and probably appeals to those who still fondly remember the 5 series from 1995. This should have been the design language of the last generation 5 series. For a 2011 it looks a bit uninspired.
A few details do not work on the car. The nose seems to be grafted on by an after-market body shop and the back crease tapers too much inward. I guess both are either concessions to pedestrian safety and aerodynamics.

Conclusion
Instead of creating a larger and well-balanced 3 series, BMW made a smaller 7 series with handling flaws. BMW can make great sports sedans, however the new 5 series seems unfinished.
Asides from the suspension issues  the rest of the car is executed well. Comfortable, luxurious, powerful.  But having a BMW that isn’t fun to dive fast is just wrong.
Many (slower) drivers might never realize the high speed handling weakness, but it makes me wonder what happened to BMW engineering prowess. And who did the final sign off on the suspension setup? If I would be a BMW executive jobs would be re-assigned and heads would roll. I know that BMW can do much better.

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How can every car insurance company claim they have the lowest rates?

Anyone else getting annoyed by that Progressive woman touting big savings?

You saw the commercials from Geico (15 minutes could save you 15% or more). And that overly cheery Progressive woman who annoys the hell out of me. Now State Farm claims to save you $489 over Geico and Progressive. How can every one claim to be cheapest? Who is lying here?

Here is the real deal.  They are all correct and yes, you can save big by getting a quote. Not because Progressive, Geico, or State Farm are so awesome, but because you are cheaper to insure than you think.

Here is why. And how to save.


Rates should go down over time. Why are you still paying the same?
Let’s say you bought a new car for 40K three years ago. Your insurance quote was (partially) based on replacing this car. Three years later you car is worth 20K but you are still paying the same. Why?

Your driving record gets better over time
You also accumulated more driving experience over the last three years, so you are less risky to insure (if you had no serious tickets like a DUI). This is especially true for younger drivers. Why are you are still paying the same?

You see, both factors should reduce you insurance premium over time. But most continue to pay the same (or even accept increases year after year). It’s a great way to make money for the insurance companies. And the basis of their large savings claims once you do get a new quote.

How to Save Money
If you haven’t shopped for car insurance in a while pick up the phone. Most people wait until they get a new car. That is too late. Stop paying your outdated premiums and get a quote every year or two.

I recommend sticking to insurance companies that have a good track record of service and paying claims. Being financially stable is also important. Check out Consumer Reports for Ratings to avoid the dogs.

BTW, you don’t have to switch from your current insurance. Just let them know you are shopping for a new quote. They might just lower yours on the spot.

You can read more about money saving tips and cars on CraigSelection.com