Audi TT MK1 Headrest Adjustment: Coupé vs Roadster

It's a question we get asked regularly: ‘Are the headrests in an Audi TT Roadster height-adjustable?’ It's a logical question — and precisely where the difference with the TT Coupé lies. The Coupé has headrests that can be adjusted both in height and angle (and can be removed). In the Roadster, however, the headrests are factory-set at maximum height and only the angle can be adjusted. Removing them also requires an extra step.

Key facts at a glance

Feature	Audi TT 8N Coupé	Audi TT 8N Roadster*
Height adjustment	✅ Yes (slide up/down)	❌ No (fixed at max height)
Tilt/angle adjustment	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Remove/refit headrest	✅ Yes	⚠️ Yes, by removing the cover cap

* As shown in the manual images: height cannot be changed; only the angle can be adjusted.

Source: Audi AG manual Audi TT Roadster NL 5.04

Adjusting height (Coupé only) and tilt

The height of the head restraints (Coupé only) can be adjusted as follows:

Grasp the head restraint with both hands on either side.
Slide the restraint up or down until the top edge is at least at eye level.
Check that it is securely fastened (no play).

Tip: adjust the headrest in your normal sitting position (back against the seat, seatbelt fastened).

In the Coupé and Roadster, the tilt of the headrests can be adjusted by:

Grasp the headrest on the side with both hands.
Push the headrest forwards or backwards until it is comfortable and correctly positioned.

Source: Audi AG manual Audi TT Roadster NL 5.04

Headrests Roadster set at fixed height
For safety reasons, the head restraints in the Roadster are set to the maximum height. This prevents taller drivers from hitting their heads on the roll bar in the event of an accident if the head restraints are set too low.

Removing and installing headrests

The headrests in a Coupé can be removed and installed as follows:

Removing

Pull the headrest up as far as it will go.
Press the button on the left-hand bar (as indicated by the arrow).
At the same time, pull the headrest completely out of the guide.

Installing

Slide both rods back into the guides until they click audibly into place.

On the Roadster, first remove the cover and the split pin. Then remove the headrest by pulling it upwards.

⚠️ Roadster headrests in low position
The method for removing the Roadster headrests is sometimes used to lower them into a lower position. From a safety perspective, this is risky, especially for taller drivers, and is not recommended.