I think they are now standard on the Sport models upward, although not sure about the S3 model's
Regarding the Vinyl wrapping of mine, it was the 3M stuff which you can indeed get on the bay of eeee's.
Would be much easier to either wrap or spray if the exterior handle could be taken off without having to remove the whole handle as a unit, but I need someone to confirm to me if that is possible, and if so how to remove it as i have tried looking for metal clips etc as suggested but can't see anything !!
Still, if it was easy there wouldn't be any sense of satsfaction would there..!!
Having just taken delivery of my new 2012 A3 Sportback I was quite surprised to note that it now has the chrome door handles rather than the painted ones on my previous 2009 model. It's just one of the 16 (so far) things that I've noticed that are different between the two models.
They do look ok at anything over a couple of feet away, but if you saw them close up, it is pretty obvious they are wrapped, and I am a bit OCD about these things so will look for a better permanent solution I think.
Did the job though and it showed me what the effect would look like which is what I was after.
I'm sure if you ask them to make sure they're not chrome they will do it cnsidering the low cost of the art & the high cost of the car.
You can buy the plain ones & yes have painted, the £36 if its current, is just for the front plate, nothing else.
What colour is your new one ?.... If its Phantom Black and they won't change them for you, then maybe we can do a swap ?
Mine are only 6mths old and unmarked, so let me know how you get on and if you would be interested ?
Don't forget to post pics when the new one arrives as well..) nothing like that new car look and smell !!
No problem......you never know, you may grow to like them ?
Enjoy the whole new car pick up process )
Pull handle up, with a thin straightened metal coat hanger or thin screwdriver, from the iirc left, side push in at the top behind the plate & slide the locating bar along & it will then release the plate from the top & can be dropped out from the bottom from its 2 locating lugs.
Shadowman is correct, shadowman i will get some pic up on here on how to remove them, they are easy to do.. keep an eye on this thread.