Seat Warmer

[TWFAUST at aol.com]

"Yes, you can replace the element, at least on later Audis. But its a  BIG 
job. You need to dis-assemble the seat. When mine was done under  
warranty, it sent to an upholstery shop and took > day."
 
I have seen this done at my local upholstery shop several times, I  don't 
recall if any were Audi. The full day seems extreme, a full hour might be  
more like it. That does not include seat removal time, which I have never  
observed. As mentioned, "hog ring" pliers are essential, and I am sure the 
skill  of the operator makes a difference. If you are stuck, you can grind 
grooves in  gripping faces of water pump pliers.
 
I suspect several profits when going through a dealership. They very  
rarely replace convertible tops or do upholstery repair. This is usually farmed  
out to local upholstery shops. A tenant of mine recently got a quote from a 
VW  dealership (which would have farmed it out) for $1900 to replace the top 
of her  Cabriolet. On my suggestion she had it done at a local upholstery 
shop (which  might have gotten the work anyway), the cost was $1,000.
 
PS, the manner of construction, and the materials used (hartz cloth),  make 
German tops very expensive to replace.
 
Tom Faust