[TiffanyFlynn]

Normal Wear?

So I own an A4 that's a bit older, 4 years actually.

So I knew the "normal wear" card would be thrown at me, but it's worse lately than ever before due to an accident that someone caused me to crash- some people don't know to drive the right way on a one way!

Anyways, I went to an expert independent place for upholstery and roofing of cars- she gave me a protectant that is recommended by the roof fabric manufacturers.

She told me to make a claim with Audi corporate through the dealer or on my one- so if the roof gets any worse before my warranty is up, they can backdate it to show it was before the warranty.

Other than that- I fixed the cause, which was a loose rattling inside the car due to the accident. The trunk box for convertible was thrown off its gears and uneven.

So it hasn't gotten any worse yet, but still not happy since the AUDI dealer was the one that was supposed to have fixed it and won't admit their mistake in missing this...

 

[thetoothdoc]

Mine went in for its MOT , mentioned to dealer wear on roof , service agent thought it was more than normal wear and tear and now awaiting reply from Audi warranty .
As an aside noticed that one of my rear number plate lights was out ,no dash warning , was expecting to just replace bulb BUT lens assembly and bulb holder missing !!! retaining screw still in place .

 

[drscho]

I have had my S5 cab for 30 months and 25K miles. If it weren't for the roof wear and the worn leather on the driver's seat bolster, I would consider keeping this car for a long time. I am concerned that the roof wear will turn into the roof failure the day after the warranty expires. The side bolster looks terrible.

Nevertheless, I have put down a deposit for an RS5 cab. I will try to use the roof less often and be very careful about how I get in and out of the car.

 

[ellfra]

Cab roof wear in Oz

Have to disagree with XXUp, Brisbane Audi noticed the problem and organized a replacement roof through Audi Australia and provided a loan car for the four days it was in the workshop.

 

[magi]

Update

I have spent the last few weeks writing letters & numerous phone calls to Audi again over this issue.

I’m disappointed to report that I personally am not likely to get much further with this. They have in my case offered to cover the cost to repair and re-wax the roof for me as it was reported within the warranty period.

I have been to see a cab roof specialist who said straight away it’s a design fault, not water damage. He did say it is caused not by the opening or closing of the roof but friction when the roof is stored away, due to it being tightly compacted and the movement of the car. He had not seen any other A5’s but thought the marks were premature for a car of it’s age, and that they would appear again even with re-treatment. Cost to clean and waterproof the roof £85.00 Plus VAT and an overnight stay.

I shall report back to Audi next week before I accept their offer and can only hope that enough complaints are raised in future to properly address the problem. The important issue here is that if you have the same wear you should report it whilst it is still under warranty.
:cheers:

 

[Molle]

Its quite an issue with these roofs if they lead to a leak in the roof as the resale value for the car might (most likely will) be affected. I'll join the fight in the next few weeks as ill be going in for a service and will point out the roof wear as well.

@ Magi when you say repair what is meant by that? I'd almost expect to get a new fabric put on the roof prior the end of warranty and then never drive with the top down till i sell it oO. Not really.

I think the cab roof expert you went to is spot on as the only patches of wear on mine are around the folds in the roof.

 

[rackingman]

I have a theory that the premature wear is linked to the pu foam which forms the acoustic part of the hood, like Magis chap said, too much material squashed in a small box, and the acoustic foam also presses the fabric together at the fold points. we also have crease marks appearing at the top of the rear window where it is bonded.....the car isnt 6 months old yet and has more wear than our 6 year old saab convertible had when it went. taking high def images every month, and it is going in later this month for inspection.

will be interesting to see what bollocks excuses I get.

 

[thetoothdoc]

I have had the standard answer from Audi , folding roof when wet .
My car is 3 years old , yet the roof was replaced at approx 3 months due to a fault with the heated window and the wear was reported at the first service at 2 years .
Garage is considering goodwilll gesture as they have been servicing my cars for 10 years , but I do not hold out much hope .
I have however extended the warranty .
Its been 3 weeks since they MOT'd the car .

 

[duke]

I have marks on the roof but no wear as such. Time will tell I suppose but here's a question.
How strong are we? How many of us have the nervous feeling that wear will occur and our trip to the dealers will bare no fruit.
We should get together a get a letter into Audi UK supported by A5OC.

 

[magi]

'Repair' is a bit like a trip to a beauty salon - shave & wax !

Seriously though is does involve shaving off the fluffy bits which filled me with horror to start with, but they were recommended to me by Audi & had good write up's on a TT forum, and he was very knowledgeable.

I'll post up the results & some photo's when it's been done.

:cheers:

Its quite an issue with these roofs if they lead to a leak in the roof as the resale value for the car might (most likely will) be affected. I'll join the fight in the next few weeks as ill be going in for a service and will point out the roof wear as well.

@ Magi when you say repair what is meant by that? I'd almost expect to get a new fabric put on the roof prior the end of warranty and then never drive with the top down till i sell it oO. Not really.

I think the cab roof expert you went to is spot on as the only patches of wear on mine are around the folds in the roof.

 

[magi]

It may help to have a report done on the fault, there is a company I found via Google that claim their reports can be used in legal battles etc, but I can’t for the life of me find it again! but I’ll keep looking.
I know when I discovered them they were based in the Midlands somewhere but it was a bit too far for me to consider and there were no guides on cost.

Magi

I have marks on the roof but no wear as such. Time will tell I suppose but here's a question.
How strong are we? How many of us have the nervous feeling that wear will occur and our trip to the dealers will bare no fruit.
We should get together a get a letter into Audi UK supported by A5OC.

 

[rackingman]

magi, re images with the fluffy bits shaved off................you didnt make it clear, this the car or you? ( yes, I know its the car....but a wind up is a wind up and you gave me the opportunity)


and audi are such tossers i would cut and paste my own report onto a scammed letter heading of an "expert " company for £0.

 

[magi]

:laughinatabove::

 

[flashflash]

High res photos of roof wear. Dec 2009 A5 2.0 TDI S-Line

https://picasaweb.google.com/117881...47476/2009A5CabRoofWear?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK6il6i5rsOLAQ&feat=directlink

 

[magi]

Thankfully your wear does not seem as bad as some I've seen - mine included - but it would be interesting to hear what Audi come back with.
:cheers:

 

[flashflash]

Thankfully your wear does not seem as bad as some I've seen - mine included - but it would be interesting to hear what Audi come back with.
:cheers:

Wow, I thought mine was bad enough. You've seen worst:yikes:

 

[tonye60]

I had my roof replaced last October due to the wear problem, almost 12 months on and the wear is coming back. Now winter is on its way i am going to treat the roof with the autoglym foof protector. I think the roofs that are suffering more are the ones that are lowered more. Our roof is used as much as possible, it must be a design fault, if you watch the roof lower you can see the stress on the fabric where its suffering the damage. I think i was one of the first to have there roofs replaced and now the wear is back, im thinking there is no answer to this problem.

 

[drscho]

Not ideal, but I wonder if this would work.

Creases, folds and scratches can ruin the looks of your convertible top's rear window. Now, you can prevent such wear and tear with our Rear Window Pillow. Simply place the soft, foam-filled pillow on the fold of the rear window as you stow the top. Pillow prevents rubbing and creasing when you have the top down, or when you use the hardtop. Adds years of life to your top. Note: Could be used on any convertible with window close to 40'' wide.
Performance Choice, 1953-2013 Corvette Convertible Top Rear Window Pillow

 

[ChristopherPovey]

Not ideal, but I wonder if this would work.
...
Creases, folds and scratches can ruin the looks of your convertible top's rear window. Now, you can prevent such wear and tear with our Rear Window Pillow. Simply place the soft, foam-filled pillow on the fold of the rear window as you stow the top. Pillow prevents rubbing and creasing when you have the top down, or when you use the hardtop. Adds years of life to your top. Note: Could be used on any convertible with window close to 40'' wide.
Performance Choice, 1953-2013 Corvette Convertible Top Rear Window Pillow

Can't see how that would help as the wear is caused by the folding action of the roof as the rear window part goes vertical to allow the storage box to open. I would imagine the pillow would stress the motors in the roof mechanism and put pressure on the glass.

 

[RGBArgee]

I have just spent a couple of hours cleaning my roof and re-proofing it with the Audi supplied kit. It seems to work. Any signs of 'apparent wear' have disappeared . I do wonder if dirt in the creases gives a false impression.

Not 100% convinced... the jury is out.... just need my front seat sags sorted now!!

Cheers

RG