New A6 Avant ...

[Taka Mizutani]

On 8/5/05, Dan DiBiase <d_dibiase at yahoo.com> wrote:
> --- Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > The only car I've seen this to be a major issue with in the Audi
> > lineup is the C5 A6- the rubberized coating put on most of the
> > switchgear and buttons really doesn't wear well when it's abused- the
> > cars that are kept in excellent condition seem to not have any issues,
> > but I'm seeing a lot of neglected cars and lease return cars that look
> > pretty bad, with the rubberized coating peeling off of the headlight
> > switch, the window switches and the radio.
> >
> > Porsche and VW have the same issue with this coating- look at a '97-00
> > Boxster/996 or some VWs (New Beetle) and the door handles all have
> > peeling issues. The '02 996 is much much better, no issues in the cars
> > I've seen (15 or so).
> 
> Taka, this apparently is a "known" issue with the B6 A4 as well - some
> sort of covering de-laminating on window and some dash switchs (ESP
> button, etc.). I haven't had this issue but have read about it, and seen
> pictures of it, on AudiWorld. Apparently, dealers are only fixing this
> once under warranty....
> 
> Dan D
> '04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
> Central NJ USA

Dan- if it's still going on with the B6 A4, then I guess you'll see
the same issue with the B7.

The C6 A6 doesn't use the same type of plastic- the buttons are hard
plastic, no rubber coating, with a nice satin finish. I guess VAG
found that rubber coating the plastic to make it feel nice just
doesn't last.

Now I just wish there was a replacement piece (esp. for the
doorhandles on the New Beetle) that didn't use this coating so it
would stay looking nice once it was replaced. I'd get a leather or
vinyl-wrapped door handle if they made one.

Funny thing is, you don't see the peeling issue on every car- I've
seen some cars with a really bad problem and others look brand-new. I
wonder how much of it also has to do with how the car is stored
(garaged or not) and also if the person driving the car has long
nails.

Taka