Seats splitting/tearing?

S

SamR92

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Hey guys,

I noticed this a few months ago on the drivers seat, and it's been annoying me ever since. Has anyone had this happen? and easy fixes, or could it be claimed it's defective and have Audi fix?

Cheers
Sam
20160824 184516685 iOS20160824 184507869 iOS 20160824 184458876 iOS
 
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That doesn't look good :-( How old is the car? How many miles?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Car's only a year and a half old, and only done 17000 miles, so certainly can't be classed as fair wear and tear.
 
Hopefully it's a good dealer. I got mine changed but only as it was under 6 months old

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
OliS3 said:
Hopefully it's a good dealer. I got mine changed but only as it was under 6 months old

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Put it this way the dealer doing stuff all isn't really an option, you can see from the 3rd pic that there's very minimal wear on the rest of the seat.
 
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Have sent pictures over to dealer to see what they say.

Few more close up pics:
20160825 190810342 iOS 20160825 190721713 iOS

It looks like the join there is weak and pressure from sitting, and/or getting in/out has caused it to start cracking. I've even put on every jacket I own with zips etc to make sure none of the zips sit anywhere near it, and none of them do, even when sitting in the seat and getting in/out no part of me touches the bit that's cracking, so I can't see it being something catching on it, as I'm always really careful getting in and out as I've seen many people with creases forming in the leather.
 
SamR92 said:
Have sent pictures over to dealer to see what they say.

Few more close up pics:
View attachment 101168 View attachment 101169

It looks like the join there is weak and pressure from sitting, and/or getting in/out has caused it to start cracking. I've even put on every jacket I own with zips etc to make sure none of the zips sit anywhere near it, and none of them do, even when sitting in the seat and getting in/out no part of me touches the bit that's cracking, so I can't see it being something catching on it, as I'm always really careful getting in and out as I've seen many people with creases forming in the leather.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't sweat it mate, there's no way that's caused by a zip or similar it's a tear and a pretty poor show at that. I'd be very surprised if yer dealer doesn't sort it out.
 
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Keep us updated, don't accept the 'how you get in' and your 'weight' aspect. Mine are looking just as bad, have pics of my 2 previous A3s they were not as bad!
 
I'd expect this from faux leather
Didn't think that genuine leather would do that
Good luck with the stealer
 
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Dealer has got back to me and said seats are covered under the warranty and asked me to take it in so they can photo it themselves and send to Audi to claim it, hopefully get it in next week at some point fpr them to photo
 
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Noticed this with the car today too - anyone know if this is normal? little bubbles (they're soft too) forming on boot lid, and door joins. I've noticed the paint they sit on is like soft rubberised stuff so not sure if its an issue?
 

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Looks a bit strange to be honest, not something I've seen/noticed before

Especially odd if they're soft
 
Yep it's strange, the actual part they are appearing on seems a lot softer than metal all the way round, if you push it in lightly with your nail on the non bubbled bits it goes in and come back out, like it's painted over a gel/silicone, so certainly can't be rust bubbles.

Gonna get them to look at it next week too, but just wondered if anyone else had them
 
Hopefully someone here might pitch in with some more info :)
 
SamR92 said:
Dealer has got back to me and said seats are covered under the warranty and asked me to take it in so they can photo it themselves and send to Audi to claim it, hopefully get it in next week at some point fpr them to photo
Click to expand...
How old is the car? Have you had it from new?
 
So, took it into main dealer (Aberdeen) today and they straight up said they won't do it as a warranty job as it is wear and tear, but then offered to do it for £320 as a "gesture of goodwill" but there is no way I'm paying that for a year and half old car, when good quality leather should not be ripping like that at all.

The paint issue they said I need to take down to their bodyshop to look at, but having had a bad experience from there, I'm going to wait until I'm home and take it into Glasgow Audi and let them look at the paint, and see if they agree with the seat, and if they do, I guess I'll have to go directly to Audi to complain.
 
This thread popping up reminded, forgot to respond the other day. I did notice once of these paint blob things on the inside of the bootlid on my S3 saloon the other day (only a few months old)
 
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Noticed about 3 or 4 today, when drying the car. They're not just magically appearing, I just didn't spend time looking for them last time I washed it, as opposed to today

Not sure they're a problem really... Don't seem like they're doing any harm... Although they're a bit odd
 
azibux1 said:
Noticed about 3 or 4 today, when drying the car. They're not just magically appearing, I just didn't spend time looking for them last time I washed it, as opposed to today

Not sure they're a problem really... Don't seem like they're doing any harm... Although they're a bit odd
Click to expand...

Good to know that they're present on a newly delivered car as can't really be corrosion, or I'd hope not so soon.

Will let you know what body shop say as hopefully nothing to worry about as really don't want to have all doors and the boot resprayed assuming that's what they'd have to do to fix)
 
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SamR92 said:
Noticed this with the car today too - anyone know if this is normal? little bubbles (they're soft too) forming on boot lid, and door joins. I've noticed the paint they sit on is like soft rubberised stuff so not sure if its an issue?
Click to expand...
As others have said, your seat cover should not be splitting at that age/mileage Sam.

Those bubbles look to be sitting on seam sealer, this is used to cover the joins in the metal, maybe the panels have been painted prior to the sealer being fully dry or something.
 
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So I finally got a reply today, and all they have done is asked the dealer, so they've seen absolutely nothing, and are going on what the dealer say.

"Thank you for contacting Audi UK on our Social Media site regarding the seats in your Audi A3.

I understand your vehicle has been into Aberdeen Audi to be investigated for damage to the seats.

I have spoken to Aberdeen Audi who have confirmed that the issue with the stitching is due to wear and tear and is not covered
under the manufacturer’s warranty.

After speaking to Malcolm Rae, Assistant Service Manager at Aberdeen Audi, he has confirmed that you were initially quoted
600.00 GBP for the seat to be repaired. I understand from Malcolm that this has now been reduced to 334.00 GBP as a gesture of
goodwill.

Having discussed this offer with the centre I do feel it is both fair and reasonable under the circumstances. If you would like
to have this work carried out please contact Aberdeen Audi to make a booking on 0122 440 0500.

If you require any assistance in the future please do not hesitate to contact Audi UK Customer Service on the details below.

Kind regards


Shazia S Hussain
Customer Relations Manager
Audi UK"

Absolute joke!

Does anyone have any contacts within Audi U.K. That they're willing to put me in touch with that may be able to see sense?


I was planning on switching cars next year, and I'm really considering going elsewhere now
 
SamR92 said:
So I finally got a reply today, and all they have done is asked the dealer, so they've seen absolutely nothing, and are going on what the dealer say.

"Thank you for contacting Audi UK on our Social Media site regarding the seats in your Audi A3.

I understand your vehicle has been into Aberdeen Audi to be investigated for damage to the seats.

I have spoken to Aberdeen Audi who have confirmed that the issue with the stitching is due to wear and tear and is not covered
under the manufacturer’s warranty.

After speaking to Malcolm Rae, Assistant Service Manager at Aberdeen Audi, he has confirmed that you were initially quoted
600.00 GBP for the seat to be repaired. I understand from Malcolm that this has now been reduced to 334.00 GBP as a gesture of
goodwill.

Having discussed this offer with the centre I do feel it is both fair and reasonable under the circumstances. If you would like
to have this work carried out please contact Aberdeen Audi to make a booking on 0122 440 0500.

If you require any assistance in the future please do not hesitate to contact Audi UK Customer Service on the details below.

Kind regards


Shazia S Hussain
Customer Relations Manager
Audi UK"

Absolute joke!

Does anyone have any contacts within Audi U.K. That they're willing to put me in touch with that may be able to see sense?


I was planning on switching cars next year, and I'm really considering going elsewhere now
Click to expand...

What you say doesn't surprise me. Audi UK customer services seem to just pass the buck back to the dealer, and not actually get involved or do anything themselves. I had a conversation on the phone to one of their customer service people a few months ago, and actually found myself raising my voice slightly (unusual for me...) as they were just not being helpful at all, even tho they fully agreed with the issue I was raising and didn't dispute what I was saying.

Only advice I could give is go to the Head of Business at the Dealers, and if you don't have any luck there, go to someone that's senior in the group that owns them.
 
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"Thank you for your recent email. I am sorry that you are unhappy with my previous response.

Whilst I sympathise with the inconvenience you have been caused, the decision does remain the same. The cause of the damage to
the seat is down to wear and tear.

I am mindful that you will remain disappointed with my final response, but you have escalated this to the highest point in Audi
UK Customer Services.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Kind regards


Shazia S Hussain
Customer Relations Manager"

Well I guess that's me done with Audi. Absolute joke.
 
azibux1 said:
Pretty useless response.
Click to expand...
I have asked them for proof that this is wear and tear, and for them to prove that it is not a quality fault with the leather. Being that Audi have never seen the pictures or looked at it themselves, and are going on the two second look the dealer had.
 
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SamR92 said:
I have asked them for proof that this is wear and tear, and for them to prove that it is not a quality fault with the leather. Being that Audi have never seen the pictures or looked at it themselves, and are going on the two second look the dealer had.
Click to expand...
If it were fair wear & tear the rest of the seat would be exhibiting the same wear pattern would it not?, whereas your seat appears to have this isolated to one small area of the backrest side bolster stitching/seam therefore I would say it's a genuine defect rather than fair wear & tear as otherwise the seat base would have similar levels of 'wear' as you would brush past that as much as you would the backrest bolster.
 
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richinsoton said:
If it were fair wear & tear the rest of the seat would be exhibiting the same wear pattern would it not?, whereas your seat appears to have this isolated to one small area of the backrest side bolster stitching/seam therefore I would say it's a genuine defect rather than fair wear & tear as otherwise the seat base would have similar levels of 'wear' as you would brush past that as much as you would the backrest bolster.
Click to expand...

Yeah agree mate.

I have to say of all the quality control/customer service type threads I've seen this is one of the biggest pi$$takes of the lot :(
 
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Simon L said:
Yeah agree mate.

I have to say of all the quality control/customer service type threads I've seen this is one of the biggest pi$$takes of the lot :(
Click to expand...
Totally agree with you Simon 1 & a half year old car with 17k miles & that's acceptable wear & tear?, no way is it with an isolated area of damage like that!. I don't usually like to go in all guns blazing as I'm firm believer of 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar', but in this instance it appears no one is taking the OP seriously so he needs to raise his profile higher so the retailer / Audi UK take it seriously. Personally I'd be posting the images on their facebook page etc etc once they realise you're not going to go away & are a PITA they'll do something.
 
Last edited:
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richinsoton said:
Totally agree with you Simon 1 & a half year old car with 17k miles & that's acceptable wear & tear?, no way is it with an isolated area of damage like that!. I don't usually like to go in all guns blazing as I'm firm believer of 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar', but in this instance it appears no one is taking the OP seriously so he needs to raise his profile higher so the retailer / Audi UK take it seriously. Personally I'd be posting the images on their facebook page etc etc once they realise you're not going to go away & are a PITA they'll do something.
Click to expand...

Yep I'm with you again I'll always go on the charm offensive to begin with as generally that's the way to get things done but on this one I'd be going off me nut about now!! lol
 
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richinsoton said:
If it were fair wear & tear the rest of the seat would be exhibiting the same wear pattern would it not?, whereas your seat appears to have this isolated to one small area of the backrest side bolster stitching/seam therefore I would say it's a genuine defect rather than fair wear & tear as otherwise the seat base would have similar levels of 'wear' as you would brush past that as much as you would the backrest bolster.
Click to expand...


Exactly the point they don't seem to be getting... I'm going to try going higher up within Audi UK and see if that gets me anywhere.

It's saddening because I've had nothing but great experiences with Audi and the dealer, responses have always been second to none when I've needed anything, and I've loved every moment of ownership, and then they do this
 
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So I emailed the MD of Audi UK last week, and got a reply confirming they got the email from his team - and have just gotten off the phone with the Executive Office Customer Relations Manager, and guess what...

...They're still calling it wear and tear

Seats are also not covered under any type of warranty apparantly so you could drive out the dealership and it could rip and you're up s**t creek.

So I guess that's me done with Audi, there's no way I'm paying to fix this when it should have never happened in the first place!

I'll have to start looking at other brands to switch to next year now as there's no way I'm buying another if this is how I'm treated.
 
SamR92 said:
Seats are also not covered under any type of warranty apparantly so you could drive out the dealership and it could rip and you're up s**t creek.
Click to expand...
That's a load of pony & trap you've been told right there. As per their own website which I've amended below - https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/...nties/audi-warranty-terms-and-conditions.html

Items where the lifetime of the component is or can be influenced by driving style and external factors will only be considered under the terms of the warranty for a period of six months or 6,250 miles (whichever is soonest). Beyond that limit, the defects must be classified as wear and tear and will not be covered by the Audi warranty.

Components subject to wear and tear are as follows:

  • Seat and backrest covers

Although I'd still say that's harsh in your instance as the area of damage appears so minimal.
The other option is if you've got heated seats & the element fails for some reason could you get a new cover that way under warranty as it would be an electrical rather than seat cover failure?. ;-)
 
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That is the weirdest damage I have ever seen. It looks more like blistering, caused by a chemical contaminant reaction? It does not look at all like wear and tear. Did you have the interior detailed or was the car serviced recently?....mechanic with dirty greasy hands or overalls.
 
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richinsoton said:
Although I'd still say that's harsh in your instance as the area of damage appears so minimal.
The other option is if you've got heated seats & the element fails for some reason could you get a new cover that way under warranty as it would be an electrical rather than seat cover failure?. ;-)
Click to expand...

No heated seats sadly, but even then, If I'd been careless and damaged the seat, I'd have held my hands up and never bothered trying to get it fixed, but the fact I'm so meticulous about the state of my car I know for a fact this wasn't damage done by me.

Here's the pics I sent in my email to the MD for comparison just in case anyone's interested to see:

Bottom of seat, where I'd probably expect a little bit of wear, but has no damage what so ever:
IMG 2577

Backrest, which I don't scrape past or touch getting in and out, but has tore:
IMG 2576
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
That is the weirdest damage I have ever seen. It looks more like blistering, caused by a chemical contaminant reaction? It does not look at all like wear and tear. Did you have the interior detailed or was the car serviced recently?....mechanic with dirty greasy hands or overalls.
Click to expand...

Only ever been cleaned by myself, using proper, safe, leather cleaner.

It's getting its first service in a few weeks time, last time it was in a garage (well, bodyshop) was about a year ago.

It looks more to me like its split and the bits have started flaking off now, that's why it looks blistery
 
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