Looking for opinions on body work, I was approved for Audi rust repairs...

[drewgold]

To my dismay, I discovered three small spots of rust on the rear tail gate of my Avant and rust starting along the right rear quarter panel where the bumper meets the body behind the rear wheel. Audi has approved the work for coverage under their rust warranty but apparently they no longer cover the entire cost of rust repair for older vehicles. Audi will only pay 70% of the cost of the $1900 repair. Not thrilled about that.

I stopped by the body shop that will do the work to talk to them and I was surprised to hear that they do not guarantee any rust repair and informed me that it will most likely rust through again in the repaired spots at some point in the future.

I also had the body shop quote me on painting an S4 bumper that I picked up as well as re-painting the rear bumper (being as they'd be removing it anyway) which was very poorly painted by the previous owner.

-Re-painting the S4 front bumper Dolphin Grey (It's black currently) is going to cost around $500-$700, it's in near perfect condition with only small marks from road debris and no damage so they said this is the cheapest job possible. Still not cheap!!

-Re-painting the rear bumper was quoted at $1000-$1200 because it'd have to be completely stripped down before painting. It's not that bad but it bugs me however it's certainly not worth spending $1200 on it, so I may attempt a wet sand and clearcoat myself at some point.

As for the rust repairs, wondering if it'd be better for me to try and find a salvaged rear tailgate that's in good condition and just have it painted instead of having my current one repaired? (especially if the repair may not last.) I'd be hoping that the cost of a salvaged tail gate and having it painted would be less than the $1900 total, saving me the 30% that I'd have to pay for the repair and giving me a tail gate that has a better chance at not rusting. I'd have to discuss this with the body shop, but being as their quote of $1900 has already been approved, I'd imagine it really doesn't matter what exactly the $1900 is spent on.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Curious to hear from anyone who has had rust warranty work done or just bumpers painted, etc. Torn over what I should do.

[BenMTL]

Audi has approved the work for coverage under their rust warranty but apparently they no longer cover the entire cost of rust repair for older vehicles. Audi will only pay 70% of the cost of the $1900 repair. Not thrilled about that.

Who told you that? Sounds like B.S to me.....Call Audi of Canada.

[SykoraA4]

how did they determine you were eligible?

[drewgold]

The dealership told me that that's the case for all vehicles older than 7 years. They said that their last four claims have been the same story, and even expressed their frustration with the rust warranty program as apparently the dealers aren't compensated at all by Audi for the time taken to file the claims. They said for them it's a service to their customers which is why they do it, but a major pain in the ass for them.

They determined I was eligible by taking paint thickness measurements to make sure the paint was original, then took photos and got an estimate for repairs from a body shop. All of that was then submitted to Audi for their review/approval.

[FraggyA4]

I had a small little chip spot on the rear passenger fender where the bumper meets it. I wet sanded it, primed it, base coated and clear coated all for the cost of a small bottle of touchup paint and primer.

[drewgold]

I had a small little chip spot on the rear passenger fender where the bumper meets it. I wet sanded it, primed it, base coated and clear coated all for the cost of a small bottle of touchup paint and primer.

Pictures? I have been considering doing the same thing for two other spots on the car that were not covered by Audi.

The spots that were approved are fairly bad, especially where the bumper meets the right rear quarter panel.

This is the right rear quarter panel:



And there are three spots like this one on the back hatch:

[FraggyA4]

Here is the one I repaired in the same spot as yours. If you don't mind having a 5 foot car then doing it yourself isn't that bad. But at the size of your spots you would need to get a spray can.

[Stackdeezy]

Hey Fraggy!

I have a couple of rough spots on all of my fenders from running a much too aggressive of a set up this winter!

I need to refinish all 4 corners to be happy... Could you go into a little more detail on how you handled it? Like blending? Taping? Prep? etc.

Thanks!

[FraggyA4]

I started by chipping away all the loose stuff until I got to some solid bonded paint.

Then I sanded with 420 grit (I believe) on the bare metal to remove any rust. I did this slowly and avoided touched the good paint at all cost.

Once I got the bulk of the rust off I cleaned it will isopropyl alcohol
after that I started taping around the edges I tried as best I could to line it right up to the edge but not over it.


I then finished sanding as close to the edge using something with a point like a bamboo shishabob stick.
Then cleaned again with alcohol
Here is what mine looked like prepped for primer

I don't have a picture of the primer but basically I put on one layer then wet sanded with 1000grit to smooth it out, if any metal showed I would do it again, then wet sanded again till I got a uniform surface. Once again you need to take your time and be gentle.

Once that dried which takes about 30 minutes. I was ready for basecoat.

I applied one glob and the idea is to keep it thinner then your current paint thickness.

Bubbles will happen when you lay it on with a toenail brush. Most of mine disappeared as it dried. But if they don't you can do a wet sand with 1500 grit paper very softly. You will most likely need to touch up a few spots with the base coat after sanding.

Once you let it dry for 24 hours you can do your clear coat. this is where you want to fill in the gap between you base coat and the current clear coat. You should basically fill it higher then the current coat. Let it dry 12 hours check it to see if you need any more apply if needed. Once it's fully dried 24 hours come back with your 2500 grit paper and sand down the excess clear coat. You need to be gentle and slow. I had to use my finger to feel how low the bump was getting. once you get close to being flush with the surrounding clear coat switch to a rubbing compound. I suggest one with heavy cutting, then work your way down to a lower cutting compound. Give it like a month before you wax it.

The final results depend on how much time and effort you put into it. I put a fare amount of time into mine but I know others could do better. But at least I know I stopped the rust and at 5 feet you can't tell.

[Axis]

Had AOC approve both front fender replacement and paint. Rear quarters repaired and painted. All this free of charge. Went back recently because the rear quarters are showing bubbles again and i'm waiting for my appointment to have them re-done. (Free of charge) Will show them a couple spots on my doors like the ones on your hatch and try to get them approved.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I've been told that you're covered after rust repair done under warrantee untill the end of ownership

@FraggyA4 : any picture after the homemade repair?

Edit : I paid 200$ to have my front bumper painted, ok the bodyshop belongs to a friend but 700$ seems abusive. I would say 400-500$ for paint AND install sounds fair.

[FraggyA4]

I will take an update picture sometime soon

[drewgold]

Thanks for the info Axis! What year is your car? Any idea what the estimate submitted to Audi was? Wondering if that has something to do with it..

I'll definitely look into the repair warranty as well.

It's no coincidence that my car is originally from Montreal and rusting in the same places. ;) My B5 A4 spent it's whole life in Alberta and didn't have a single spot of rust after 16 years!

[Axis]

Thanks for the info Axis! What year is your car? Any idea what the estimate submitted to Audi was? Wondering if that has something to do with it..

I'll definitely look into the repair warranty as well.

It's no coincidence that my car is originally from Montreal and rusting in the same places. ;) My B5 A4 spent it's whole life in Alberta and didn't have a single spot of rust after 16 years!

My previous B6 was from BC, the car was immaculate, no seized bolt, rusted suspension components and no paint flaking issues and/or rust. The fact they use salt on the roads in Quebec 9 out 12 month as its toll on paint and suspension components.

My car is 2006 aka 2005.5 but I was told by the Audi dealership bodyshop advisor that the B7 plateform had issues with front fenders flaking. Sorry they didnt give me the estimate, but they did lend me a failwheeldrive A3 on which they probably had to replace front tires when I brought it back.

Btw @drewgold try to get the repair done by an Audi dealer that has its own bodyshop if possible, turd party bodyshop then to do shitty job. (Pun intended)

[drewgold]

Hmm, I suppose maybe that's the difference? I don't think either of the dealerships in Calgary have a body shop, it's a 3rd party body shop I'm dealing with through the dealership so maybe if it's "in house" then they can cut costs a bit. Will definitely be calling Audi to find out what the deal is though. I was certainly not expecting to have to pay 30%

Is the front fender flaking covered by the warranty too? I have minor flaking on my front fenders as well but my service rep thought it wouldn't be worth it to submit a claim. If it's a known issue then maybe they're more inclined to consider repairing that under warranty too.

Thanks again, this is all good info to take back to Audi and plead my case.

[drewgold]

And I'm so disappointed that everything seems to be a fight with Audi these days (This is my second Audi and any warranty issues with my first car were always covered without any resistance.)
Maybe Audi thinks that after all this time, owners will have lost their manuals? Just consulted my warranty manual...I love that there's a whole section dedicated to 'Free of Charge Repairs' none of this 70/30 cost sharing BS!

[SykoraA4]

Curious to know why they felt some of your rust should be covered while other panels not. why wasn't your hatch covered?

[drewgold]

Curious to know why they felt some of your rust should be covered while other panels not. why wasn't your hatch covered?

My hatch was covered, but my left rear quarter panel wasn't covered because it was previously painted. If any panel isn't original paint, it voids the warranty. The dealerships actually have a paint depth checker which is surprisingly accurate.

[LINDW4LL]

Lol, those bumper quotes sound like rape. I have heard of that 70/30 thing before though.

[Mister W]

Got my Avant on warranty too. They changed the truck/hatch door because of rust around the third brake light and some bubbles near the tail lights, and repaint the quarter panels because of paint bubbles/lifting where it meet the bumper.
They didn't want to cover the front fenders because they say the damage is done by not having oem wheels, when you can clearly see it's because of dirt and moisture buildup behind the fender liner (see my thread http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...r-it-will-rust

But the garage who did the paint job, worked like $hit. they only paint thee small area where it's damage. Audi dont pay for blending. I taught they would paint the fender edge because it was worn of tire rubbing, they didn't. So it started to rust and i have to make them repaint eventually. Plus my roof and hood were full of fumes and needed a compound, which i have no time to let them y car again for a few days, so i have to fix myself. Yeah! Audi and VW make nice cars, but poorly desinged in some ways.

[drewgold]

Talked to Audi of Canada today, they couldn't tell me why the 70/30 price breakdown. I told then that it explicitly states in the Warranty guide the repairs are 'Free-of-charge'.
They said that they are escalating the case to find out why the 70/30 cost share. Seems ridiculous, nowhere in the corrosion warranty does it mention the owner having the bear some of the cost of repairs.

[chrskwn]

Had AOC approve both front fender replacement and paint. Rear quarters repaired and painted. All this free of charge. Went back recently because the rear quarters are showing bubbles again and i'm waiting for my appointment to have them re-done. (Free of charge) Will show them a couple spots on my doors like the ones on your hatch and try to get them approved.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I've been told that you're covered after rust repair done under warrantee untill the end of ownership

@FraggyA4 : any picture after the homemade repair?

Edit : I paid 200$ to have my front bumper painted, ok the bodyshop belongs to a friend but 700$ seems abusive. I would say 400-500$ for paint AND install sounds fair.

chris, which dealership was it again? prestige or lauzon?

also, if i had touch up paint applied in some rusted areas such as the wheel well, with nothing having been sanded down, and had an indy garage rust proof my car, would the warranty be voided?

[Axis]

@chrskwn I went to Prestige who use a third party bodyshop, the thing is Roberto, the bodyshop advisor, is very nice and will help you get approuved. At Lauzon they have their in house bodyshop but I dont know how much they will "push" for you to be covered.

If the paint isnt original it voids your warrante on that part.

[Axis]

Also rust proof also voids the coverage where applied.

[drewgold]

Count yourself lucky Axis!

Just got off the phone with Audi Canada and they say that my repair is a "good will" repair because I have 'surface rust' and the 12-year warranty only covers perforation of rust through the panel, not rust creeping in from edges. Unbelievable.

I can see that the spot on my right rear quarter is from rust creeping in on the edge but the spots on my hatch are clearly coming up through the paint. (To me this is perforation) The body shop even commented that they can't guarantee the rust repair on the hatch because the rust is coming through the panel, not on top of it.

Needless to say I'll be causing a stink about this one. Audi lists a phone number for the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Program, for arbitration of warranty matters, has anyone used this service?

[BenMTL]

Audi lists a phone number for the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Program, for arbitration of warranty matters, has anyone used this service?

Is that a government department? Number or website?

Never heard of such a thing...

[simon b]

Is that a government department? Number or website?

Never heard of such a thing...

http://www.camvap.ca/

I'm considering this or small claims court. In the past two years I've submitted four claims through Audi Popular in Montreal for 2008 A4 S-Line.

- I had both quarter panels (rear) done at 100%.

- Front drivers side wing refused due to thickness, respray I was aware of even though the problem was coming of an area that was not repainted (inside edge.)

- The roof done at 100% after calling Audi Canada to complain the dealer was offering a 70/30 split which Audi Canada came back saying was a clerical error and they would pay the full amount in the end.

- Just waited 6 months for an answer on my driver side door which they are offering a 70/30 split. Reasons I was told by Denis from customer service at Audi Canada for this decision is the mileage, the age (over 7 years), and the fact that the car has only been seen by Audi five times in the last four years even though I was willing to show documentation of service from highly esteemed indy shops & receipts for genuine parts I installed myself. The claim was submitted the same day they inspected the car on their "Health Check" promotion, which is pretty much a joke BTW. (They claimed all my tires were properly inflated even though none were including my spare which was at like 20PSI.) Also that it was surface rust and they have no obligation to fix if it's not perforated, even though it's clearly coming from the inside out.

He also told me it's the dealer who pays the repairs, which was news to me, even though it's Audi corporate which makes the decision. Another strange thing he told me was he had no record of the previous claims!

[vtwinjunkie]

Hmm. interesting. Subscribing to this thread!

[LINDW4LL]

He also told me it's the dealer who pays the repairs, which was news to me, even though it's Audi corporate which makes the decision. Another strange thing he told me was he had no record of the previous claims!

That's BS.

[Axis]

That's BS.

Why would they need the approval of AOA if they end up paying the repairs.

X2 on the bs call

[simon b]

Why would they need the approval of AOA if they end up paying the repairs.

X2 on the bs call

Exactly this Denis character was just spewing all kinds of BS, I called back asking him to send me what he told me in writing, I heard back from a supervisor and the only thing he conceded was that it was not perforated so they were not obliged to fix it.

I sent him back pictures of the other two repairs they did free of charge that were not perforated as well as new photos of my door am awaiting his response.