Steering wheel factory defect issue

[Spinstorm]

I mentioned this before in another thread but my RS3 wheel has marking/indentation under the alcantara which makes it not smooth and is clearly a defect.

The dealer won’t change it under warranty because they say that Audi UK wouldn’t cover it as a warranty issue and so I messaged Audi UK through facebook and got this back:

‘Hi. Although we can appreciate where you're coming from we don't feel that this is excessive wear. The Audi Centre would not be able to claim this under the terms of the Warranty so, for this reason, we'd be unable to assist. We're mindful this may not be the response you were hoping for but thank you for giving us the opportunity to come back to you. Thank you.”

Thoughts?

 

[Jonny B]

I mentioned this before in another thread but my RS3 wheel has marking/indentation under the alcantara which makes it not smooth and is clearly a defect.

The dealer won’t change it under warranty because they say that Audi UK wouldn’t cover it as a warranty issue and so I messaged Audi UK through facebook and got this back:

‘Hi. Although we can appreciate where you're coming from we don't feel that this is excessive wear. The Audi Centre would not be able to claim this under the terms of the Warranty so, for this reason, we'd be unable to assist. We're mindful this may not be the response you were hoping for but thank you for giving us the opportunity to come back to you. Thank you.”

Thoughts?

I would pursue this with your dealer . I appreciate that it may not be covered under warranty but they should at least offer you some kind of repair as a good will gesture. Tbh it looks like a new wheel . Keep pushing . I would .


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[Callump01]

I'd keep pushing them. It may not look like much to some, but that indentation right where your hand will be would drive me crazy.

 

[Evil Diesel]

I agree - there is clearly some debris on the wheel / or back of the Alcantara prior to the application resulting in this bump. It is a defect and should be remedied.

 

[Spinstorm]

So any ideas? The problem is that its such a small defect that its easy to brush off. It doesn’t stop me driving the car; its not dangerous. It’s not even noticeable unless your holding it in that place.

If I am going to get the wheel replaced then I am going to have to kick up a huge stink - and the fact that Audi UK have not even entertained looking into it and that the dealer knows they wont so doesn’t want to touch it means it is a massive uphill battle. I don’t know how I would even go about getting this resolved.

I almost feel like my best option is if it gets worse and is noticeable in the future then at least I have a record of raising this at the start and then have a better chance of getting it fixed in the future. But I welcome any suggestions.

 

[Callump01]

So any ideas? The problem is that its such a small defect that its easy to brush off. It doesn’t stop me driving the car; its not dangerous. It’s not even noticeable unless your holding it in that place.

If I am going to get the wheel replaced then I am going to have to kick up a huge stink - and the fact that Audi UK have not even entertained looking into it and that the dealer knows they wont so doesn’t want to touch it means it is a massive uphill battle. I don’t know how I would even go about getting this resolved.

I almost feel like my best option is if it gets worse and is noticeable in the future then at least I have a record of raising this at the start and then have a better chance of getting it fixed in the future. But I welcome any suggestions.

I would give Audi UK another ring and insist that it is a defect, unless they intended for it to roll out of the factory this way?

If you pay upwards of £50k for a brand new car, you expect it to be pristine and not have to settle for a defect regardless of how small.

 

[D0C]

It's clearly not as intended. They should replace it...end of.

 

[Evil Diesel]

No different to a paint defect - car drives fine but there is a defect. Push on and they should cave in - keep it polite, well mannered and civil but just keep pressing on. If you really want to elevate it at Audi UK PM me and I will give you the Customer Service Director email address.

 

[phantom_s3]

On my previous 8V S3 one of the stitches had a lose thread my dealer changed the whole wheel under warranty no issue, (I expected them just to repair it) - I would have another conversation with your dealer and ask them to raise with Audi Uk, if no joy call Audi UK direct, if the dealer has another RS3 show them that it's not the same - then they can't argue - its not wear its a manufacturing defect

 

[RGBARGEE]

I had a flaw on an A7 seat in 2013 which was replaced without question, possibly swapped with a demo car but whatever a fault is a fault and should not be accepted.

 

[D0C]

Surprised this wasn't picked up during quality control.

 

[Beebee-one]

Looks as if some small piece of debris/dust/offcut or whatever has been trapped under it when glued and stitched in place. You may be able to get a detailing specialist to sort it out and negotiate the cost with the supplying dealer?

I think the re-positioning of the alcantara (swapped places with the leather section on previous versions) is not one of Audi's best ideas. Its ok for racing steering wheels, but on a daily driver it likely that it will quickly show signs of going shiny in parts where the driver's greasy hands have been gripping and shuffling about.

Personally, I prefer the feel of a good leather steering wheel. I saw this FL saloon on the Milltek stand at the Autosport show in January. It has a custom made TTRS steering wheel.
Sorry about the naff picture quality, it was taken through the side window glass as the guy on the stand would not open the car.

 

[Kev57]

I mentioned this before in another thread but my RS3 wheel has marking/indentation under the alcantara which makes it not smooth and is clearly a defect.

The dealer won’t change it under warranty because they say that Audi UK wouldn’t cover it as a warranty issue and so I messaged Audi UK through facebook and got this back:

‘Hi. Although we can appreciate where you're coming from we don't feel that this is excessive wear. The Audi Centre would not be able to claim this under the terms of the Warranty so, for this reason, we'd be unable to assist. We're mindful this may not be the response you were hoping for but thank you for giving us the opportunity to come back to you. Thank you.”

Thoughts?

Just drive it you numpty I’m sure there’s more important things to worry about

 

[sve170]

Looks as if some small piece of debris/dust/offcut or whatever has been trapped under it when glued and stitched in place. You may be able to get a detailing specialist to sort it out and negotiate the cost with the supplying dealer?

I think the re-positioning of the alcantara (swapped places with the leather section on previous versions) is not one of Audi's best ideas. Its ok for racing steering wheels, but on a daily driver it likely that it will quickly show signs of going shiny in parts where the driver's greasy hands have been gripping and shuffling about.

Personally, I prefer the feel of a good leather steering wheel. I saw this FL saloon on the Milltek stand at the Autosport show in January. It has a custom made TTRS steering wheel.
Sorry about the naff picture quality, it was taken through the side window glass as the guy on the stand would not open the car.
View attachment 149945

I totally agree with you, 6 month into ownership of my FL RS3 and I am hating the steering wheel, it’s the feel and texture of the Alcantara which I really dislike.
During daily runs it’s just about bearable but on longer journeys I hate it.
You are correct about the positioning of the Alcantara, not ideal. Audi should have kept the PFL steering wheel with the Alcantara original position.

My daughters fully loaded FL S3 has the perfect steering wheel, all leather with the perforations in the correct position for the driver.

If I could, I would at some point consider changing my Alcantara wheel.



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