Cheap interior Plastic

[osideaudi]

Im at witts end with the cheap, creaky, and crap interior plastic in my 2009 b8. When you grab the handle to close the door it crackles, when my knee rests on the center dash it sounds like glass breaking, when I rest my arm on the armrest it sounds like its going to break off or shatter. I drove a 2013 loaner and the plastic seemed to be much thicker and almost completely quiet. I know its 4 years newer but a "luxury" car shouldnt sound like a bag of ass at 4 years old. I'm embarraassed to have people ride in my car. Is there any way Audi would replace worn plastic under warranty? I can only imagine how much they would charge for it. Luckily its CPO.

[jlaudio]

if you think your 09 is bad, try an 08 or earlier a4 with the center console armrest. the previous audi's are twice as bad.
there is a TSB out that i am having done on my car due to the door panels rattling. they fit foam behind the door panel to reduce vibrations. see if you can have them do that to your car.

[audiaudacity]

I have a 2009, haven't experienced that with mine. I'm going to go out on limb and say worn, creaky plastic is not covered.

[name.goes.here]

Plastic is poor quality; my 2005 Passat had nicer plastics. Thankfully, though, I'm without any creaking or rattles. So far.

[audinepa]

Own 2009 A4 B8 without any of the issues you are experiencing.

[Mops@Nemesis]

My 08 is still rattle free but its only done about 32K, mostly seen good roads, and I keep everything conditioned (may or may not help). In the winter I do get some creaks due to shrink and temps. I will say, my B6 and B7 had better materials.

[b4a41point8t]

I agree that the plastics are much cheaper than earlier models. I get some creaks but nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe you just drive on horrible roads

[oc cc]

HAH, my 2012 had a bad creak starting at 5k miles, and I still can't get dealers (tried 3) to acknowledge it's there. I am kinda disappointed with the cars interior to be honest. The design is sexy as hell, and it is pretty ergonomic. But the material quality sucks. My 10 year old toyota avalon had way thicker window buttons (the ones in my Audi can snap off if I pull it slightly harder). Also, I noticed even though the A4 is much heavier than the BMW 3 series or C350, how come the doors on these feel so light? The Mercedes is built like a tank and the doors close shut with such a German industrial CLUNK that its almost satisfying enough to repeat one more time before you go about your business. Overall, the handling of this car is fantastic, the interior and exterior are gorgeous, it is very mod-friendly, and has plenty of creature comfort. However, the quality of the car and its materials (hard plastic dash, thin plastic panels, the world softest paint, cheap buttons, ill-fitting center console pieces, many creaks and groans) as well as weight are huge downsides to this car.

[Creatre]

The only thing I've had a complaint with plastic wise is the sunvisor. I used it for the first time the other day and the clip snapped right off in my face. Now it just dangles there bouncing around all day. Haven't had time to bring it to a dealer for a stupid clip yet.

[audiaudacity]

The only thing I've had a complaint with plastic wise is the sunvisor. I used it for the first time the other day and the clip snapped right off in my face. Now it just dangles there bouncing around all day. Haven't had time to bring it to a dealer for a stupid clip yet.

Sorry but that image of it bouncing around all day made me laugh.

[NPuter]

The only thing I've had a complaint with plastic wise is the sunvisor. I used it for the first time the other day and the clip snapped right off in my face. Now it just dangles there bouncing around all day. Haven't had time to bring it to a dealer for a stupid clip yet.

I had the same thing happen to me. My dealer replaced it without any problem. Funny thing is, it broke in my first few months of ownership and now my car is almost 3 years old, and the replacement is still holding up (knock on wood).

[name.goes.here]

The Mercedes is built like a tank and the doors close shut with such a German industrial CLUNK that its almost satisfying enough to repeat one more time before you go about your business. Overall, the handling of this car is fantastic, the interior and exterior are gorgeous, it is very mod-friendly, and has plenty of creature comforts.

And there you have it. I do believe my wife's Mercedes will age better than my Avant because, as you note, it is built like a tank but is nowhere as fun to drive as the Audi. So, I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

[bluetori]

For some reason on my 09 the glove box skin has peeled off around the lock, luckily I have a grey interiour but it drives me nuts. I kind of blame my wife because she is a hand sanitizing freak so maybe it's that stuff.

[sdy101]

My glove box handle ripped off recently. Taking it in Tuesday to get it fixed. Otherwise my creaks and rattles haven't been too bad. I do get the dash rattle against the windshield when it gets cold out. Had it also on my B7 and my 2003 Passat. Cold weather does seem to make my interior noisy...

[osideaudi]

I guess I'm the only one it annoys enough haha. I'll try and post a video at some point to show its not just me being crazy.

[B G 8er]

+1 I am experiencing occasional yet prevalent rattles from the door panels sometimes while driving over very bumpy road surfaces. It's mostly early in the morning while the materials are cold. I am in S. Cal and when the day warms up, they totally disappear. Good to know there is a TSB and fix for this in case I decide I need to worry about it.

Also, I am getting a little creaking from the plastic parts in the manual shifter. I believe these are designed to insulate from vibrations and give the shifting a more luxury car feeling however, the creaking is bugging me. Just little annoyances like everyone is saying.

Two interesting stories related to this topic. I once owned a new Toyota Camry. Just after taking delivery, there was a very annoying creak coming from the side of the dash. The dealer heard it but offered no fix. Back in the day, when I didn't know better, I sprayed the dash and adjacent door panel with Armour All Protect-ant and the creak permanently went away!

On another occasion, when I detailed cars for money, one of my customers had a brand new Mercedes with a rattle the dealer could never find (pre lemon law?) It used to be MB carpets unsnapped. So I would lift those out for cleaning. There happened to be an empty beer can with all German writing underneath. Solved the mystery rattle for this guy and he was so ecstatic!

[TheHeiko]

My '09 with 26,600 miles on it has developed an annoying buzzing from the sunglass holder in the overhead console. The spring clip that retains it is fully engaged but not quite enough. Frustrating!

Rattles and squeaks are the bane of dealers. My BMW dealer was good whenever I complained. They seemed to really try to get at the noises. Some dealers are better than others in trying to fix them and some manufacturers are better than others. A guy I know had a small noise in his Lexus that even he admitted wasn't that bad but he had it in so many times, Lexus bought it back at full value.

[dracolnyte]

i had the alum trim on my driver door fixed, there was a clip inside that broke and made it rattle when going over uneven surfaces

[dbX79]

I have a 2012 A4. I haven't heard any creaks. Can you guys give me an example of when I might hear it? Is it happening when you are driving or moving the car around? I don't hear it in the door either.

[osideaudi]

If you dont hear it, its safe to say you don't have a problem :)

I have a 2012 A4. I haven't heard any creaks. Can you guys give me an example of when I might hear it? Is it happening when you are driving or moving the car around? I don't hear it in the door either.

[OB1]

Since day 1, I've been noticing little creaks and cracking sounds all over the inside cabin. Everything from the dashboard, speaker grills in doors, steering wheel, rear seats and windows have been making noises. Bugs the hell out of me and makes me think twice of Audi's "quality control" and quality parts. My previous b6 s4 wagon never made any noises inside the cabin.
Needless to say, I wont be buying a new Audi anytime soon. Oh and my dealer claims all this stuff to be "normal".

I have a '12 B8 avant.

[Sieg3n]

Did you ever figure out a way to fix this issue? It is driving me insane with my door handle and ESPECIALLY the center console.

[osideaudi]

Did you ever figure out a way to fix this issue? It is driving me insane with my door handle and ESPECIALLY the center console.

Ya I bought an SQ5 which solved the issue. Haha the cheap plastic can only be replaced not remedied

[ultra]

haha nice resolution to a 2 year necro-bump

[Jlambe67]

Lol go to anything none European you'll hear some rattles creeks and door handles that feel like they will pull off once u pull on it lol

[BaysideS4]

I haven't experienced anything of what you're saying with my 2009 and 108,000 miles.

If you wanted a "luxury car" you shouldn't have bought an entry level car. It's a friggin A4. It doesn't get any more base level than that.

[amz]

I haven't experienced anything of what you're saying with my 2009 and 108,000 miles.

If you wanted a "luxury car" you shouldn't have bought an entry level car. It's a friggin A4. It doesn't get any more base level than that.

A1, A2, A3...?

[Jlambe67]

I haven't experienced anything of what you're saying with my 2009 and 108,000 miles.


If you wanted a "luxury car" you shouldn't have bought an entry level car. It's a friggin A4. It doesn't get any more base level than that.

A3 possibly lol

[Jlambe67]

Oops didn't see what amz said

[b6onboost]

Audi uses the same plastic materials for the dash and interior panels across most of their lineup. A5/S5/RS5 all identical parts. A3 to A4 to A6, different design, but identical quality and feel. The leather is even the same across the models unless you upgrade to Nappa leather (S models, A6/A7). Its not until you get to the A8 and R8 that there is a tangible materials quality difference. Most Audi's offer the exact same level of luxury and build quality, its just they come in different shapes and sizes.

[r6_11b8]

wish they would upgrade to some metal instead of thin fragile plastic..i just recently broke the sun visor clip it attaches too...really didnt yank it that hard at all....also have broken my door latch just trying to open my door...and my rear window regulator crapped on me...biggest gripe with audi is them cheaping out on some options.

[dennisA4]

Use of plastics is up across the board, industry wide. It's not just Audi.

[r6_11b8]

Use of plastics is up across the board, industry wide. It's not just Audi.

i know plastic is across the board but some of the stuff audi uses is a really inexcusable..this is the first car where ive broken something interior wise..explorer, 350z and my old 300zx nothing...its a solid car as i have no creaks or anything but really wish they would chosen more durable plastic

[sal1m]

If you get door rattle when going over bumps then try adjusting door striker to highest position.

[sal1m]

Since day 1, I've been noticing little creaks and cracking sounds all over the inside cabin. Everything from the dashboard, speaker grills in doors, steering wheel, rear seats and windows have been making noises. Bugs the hell out of me and makes me think twice of Audi's "quality control" and quality parts. My previous b6 s4 wagon never made any noises inside the cabin.
Needless to say, I wont be buying a new Audi anytime soon. Oh and my dealer claims all this stuff to be "normal".

I have a '12 B8 avant.

I agree with all of the above. My 2003 e46 was much more solid.i have a b8 2010.

[toast88]

Only problem I really have is the stupid lock/unlock button pops out all the time when I press it. Other than that no real complaints about the interior in my 09

[The Infiltrator]

I haven't really had any issues besides a little rattle here and there from the front drivers door speaker area. It's the new age, everything is cheap plastic crap.