Nice little interior upgrade if you're feeling brave...

[1664Hatter]

For those like me that did'nt tick the RS design option, this makes a nice little upgrade.

I've managed to replace the plastic knee pads with professionally upholstered Alcantara versions. This is NOT for the feint hearted, but well worth it.

First step is the remove the plastic pads. Sounds easy? Well these are plastic welded to the centre console. I purchased a spare console from ebay £18 to attack and find the best way to remove. Tools are key, and taking a great deal of care and time and using plastic trim tools you can remove them without damage. It sounds horrible, lots of cracking and splitting sounds but it's just the weld coming apart... hopefully

Once off, I had them re-trimmed with matching Alcantara and red stitching. These were then re-attached with plastic glue.

Very happy with the result, and relatively inexpensive. Before then after....

 

[Riko0073]

Wow amazing job mate.

So you just pry the panel away, no need to remove any other parts?

 

[1664Hatter]

Wow amazing job mate.

So you just pry the panel away, no need to remove any other parts?

Thank you. You need to lift the centre panel but it doesn't need to be removed completely. I strongly recommend buying a spare centre console to practice on first as.

 

[jimojameso]

Looks great. Dont know if i am feeling that brave though

 

[Spinstorm]

I am impressed. I purchased a spare centre console with the alcantara from eBay and I had the same plan. But trying to remove the alcantara knee parts from that console seems impossible to me without damaging it so I gave up and sold them to someone else.

 

[Russrs3]

That looks great! I wonder why they got rid of that option on the 2019 model... it definitely isn’t something I’d be comfortable tackling so fair play to you

 

[1664Hatter]

That looks great! I wonder why they got rid of that option on the 2019 model... it definitely isn’t something I’d be comfortable tackling so fair play to you

Cheers. Once you've had a practice it really isn't so bad.

 

[Deleted member 117185]

Wouldn’t it be easier to buy a centre console with the pads already installed? I’m sure I’d seen ones knocking about on eBay for £150 ornso

 

[1664Hatter]

Wouldn’t it be easier to buy a centre console with the pads already installed? I’m sure I’d seen ones knocking about on eBay for £150 ornso

Maybe, I was looking for a good 6-9 months and the only ones that came up where white stitch on leather. There is also a lot of work in removing the entire center console.

Cost me a a lot less too.

 

[Deleted member 117185]

Maybe, I was looking for a good 6-9 months and the only ones that came up where white stitch on leather. There is also a lot of work in removing the entire center console.

Cost me a a lot less too.

8 bolts for the console! 10 minute job!

brave man! Should offer this as a service - I can see a lot of people who would want it.

next you need to put RS design seatbelts in!

 

[Poole]

Yes Changing the RS design centre console isn’t too bad as Boj 27 states...I had to source from the dealer. Part no: 8V2 863 241 FN TU price 174+ vat.., How does this price compare with a retrim out of interest..??

I fitted all the the components of the design Pack, as I bought my car used approved. Red edged seatbelts front and rear. Red stitching door handles red air vents & the mats.. If anyone need part numbers & prices I can provide them..

 

[1664Hatter]

8 bolts for the console! 10 minute job!

brave man! Should offer this as a service - I can see a lot of people who would want it.

next you need to put RS design seatbelts in!

Thanks - not sure I'd want to take the risk on someone else car

I wasn't keen on the seat belts when I saw the launch car at Goodwood, but they've grown on me now

Yes Changing the RS design centre console isn’t too bad as Boj 27 states...I had to source from the dealer. Part no: 8V2 863 241 FN TU price 174+ vat.., How does this price compare with a retrim out of interest..??

I fitted all the the components of the design Pack, as I bought my car used approved. Red edged seatbelts front and rear. Red stitching door handles red air vents & the mats.. If anyone need part numbers & prices I can provide them..

Re-trim was £80. You can probably find someone to do it cheaper but probably not worth risking the quality.

I'm trying to source door handles at the moment, again not easy to find on ebay as they are usually sold as a package with the interior. Tempted to buy from Audi direct as they aren't too extortionate.

 

[Riko0073]

Yes Changing the RS design centre console isn’t too bad as Boj 27 states...I had to source from the dealer. Part no: 8V2 863 241 FN TU price 174+ vat.., How does this price compare with a retrim out of interest..??

I fitted all the the components of the design Pack, as I bought my car used approved. Red edged seatbelts front and rear. Red stitching door handles red air vents & the mats.. If anyone need part numbers & prices I can provide them..

So you can still get the knee pads from Audi in Alcantara, then just finding someone to fit them?

Did they come with the grey stitching too do you know or was it only red?

 

[1664Hatter]

So you can still get the knee pads from Audi in Alcantara, then just finding someone to fit them?

Did they come with the grey stitching too do you know or was it only red?

They are only sold as part of the entire console, not as separate parts.

 

[Riko0073]

They are only sold as part of the entire console, not as separate parts.

Ok cool, I’d be happy to pay that price as it’s a nice touch and shame Audi dropped the design pack.

Was it only offered in red stitch do you know or option for the rock grey stitching?

 

[1664Hatter]

Ok cool, I’d be happy to pay that price as it’s a nice touch and shame Audi dropped the design pack.

Was it only offered in red stitch do you know or option for the rock grey stitching?

Other may know better but I believe if you had the grey stitch seats and ordered the RS Pack then the knee pads came in leather and grey stitch (bog standard extended leather, same as S-Lines and S3's..) Where as if you ordered red stitching it came with the super sexy Alcantara and red stitch like mine

 

[Riko0073]

Other may know better but I believe if you had the grey stitch seats and ordered the RS Pack then the knee pads came in leather and grey stitch (bog standard extended leather, same as S-Lines and S3's..) Where as if you ordered red stitching it came with the super sexy Alcantara and red stitch like mine

Ah maybe, not sure I’d bother for the leather, the alcantara does look great!

 

[Poole]

1664 Hatter...

You can find the door handles you require at BKS Tuning code: AUINA38VO1 it seems they can do various other stitching colours also..

When I changed mine the design pack handles are just the normal plastic handles but with the leather with red stitching glued on top of the handle. If/ when you do change the handles there are some plastic type pegs that that need to be cut off as well some screws (that you reuse) on the back of door card..

Whilst I had door card off changed to the carbon inlays as well.. You will have a few fault codes un plugging speakers etc. But can easily be reset with vcds.

 

[DW81]

Read this thread and was intrigued to do this same job.
Read and asked 1664 hatter about the job and ordered myself a cheap center console to practice on.
The first knee pad was quite easy to remove, done and dusted in 15mins. I thought no problems with this until the second one took best part of an hour to remove.
These pads are pretty robust and like as been mentioned there is alot cracks heard from the glue breaking away from the tabs.
Next step will be on the car.

 

[millsy75]

Read this thread and was intrigued to do this same job.
Read and asked 1664 hatter about the job and ordered myself a cheap center console to practice on.
The first knee pad was quite easy to remove, done and dusted in 15mins. I thought no problems with this until the second one took best part of an hour to remove.
These pads are pretty robust and like as been mentioned there is alot cracks heard from the glue breaking away from the tabs.
Next step will be on the car.

Are you planning to remove the knee pads with the centre console in situ? I want to do this mod. I have the SS seats with grey stitch so would plan to have the knee pads done in alcantara but grey stitching.

 

[DW81]

Are you planning to remove the knee pads with the centre console in situ? I want to do this mod. I have the SS seats with grey stitch so would plan to have the knee pads done in alcantara but grey stitching.

I'm going to try leaving it in situ and see what happens.
I looked on elsawin last night and the removal of the center console doesn't look to bad worst case scenario.
Emailed a few upholstery companies and had one quote back for £120.
I too have SS seats but mine as the crescendo red stitching.

 

[millsy75]

I'm going to try leaving it in situ and see what happens.
I looked on elsawin last night and the removal of the center console doesn't look to bad worst case scenario.
Emailed a few upholstery companies and had one quote back for £120.
I too have SS seats but mine as the crescendo red stitching.

I might go to my fabric trimmers and see if they can do the job including removal and refit of the knee pads!

 

[8YARWY]

I'm going to try leaving it in situ and see what happens.
I looked on elsawin last night and the removal of the center console doesn't look to bad worst case scenario.
Emailed a few upholstery companies and had one quote back for £120.
I too have SS seats but mine as the crescendo red stitching.

Brave man, I think I’d have bought the one from BKS Tuning


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[DW81]

It has crossed my mind many times mate, but as del boy would say
"He who dares rodders"

 

[DW81]

One side off one to go

 

[DW81]

Just needed to trim the 2 plastic locating pegs flush with the wavy plastic welded taps with a dremel and it fits back into place perfect on drivers side, now passenger side to tackle.

 

[DW81]

Passenger side done, now a quick trim up again and to call a couple more trimming company's to see what other quotes I can get.
Will say anyone wanting to do this leave the center console in place. The console is much more rigid when it's bolted in position.
When I did this on a cheap one I bought off of ebay it was a struggle as the console is basically a cheap piece of flimsy plastic and you just seem to fight against it all the time. Both bits were pretty much ripped off in a fraction of the time. Just use a few trim tools start from the end closest to the gear level and prise it off with your fingers towards the dashboard end.

 

[ArrEssDrei]

I’m surprised the aftermarket or AliExpress isn’t offering alcantara knee pads that stick over the plastic. There is carbon fibre ones. I would buy them in a heartbeat. Hats off to you DW81, I don't think I could bring myself to crack it open like that. Looking forward to seeing your results!

 

[DW81]

Not checked TBH arressdrei, I would probably question the fitment of something like that though mate.
I have to say thanks to 1664Hatter for completing this. When I was googling this a few weeks back I stumbled upon his thread. I picked his Brain on the removal process and once I get the bits in front of me it made sense were I needed to prise them off. You can really give these parts stick to cra k those welds and once you start you can pretty much have the part of in next to no time.
I have a spare set of knee pads from the spare console I bought so once I get my ones sorted and fitted if anyone wants these ones to get re trimmed we can sort something out. And when you remove your ones so you can offer them up to someone else.

 

[DW81]

Finally back from upholstery company, dry fitted at the moment bit very happy with them, nice subtle change

 

[Riko0073]

Finally back from upholstery company, dry fitted at the moment bit very happy with them, nice subtle change
View attachment 236325

Looks really great!

Did they fit in situ or have to remove the panels by method the OP did? Or did you remove panels yourself?

Roughly how much did it cost?

 

[DW81]

Hi Rik, thanks for the feedback.
I did what the OP original told me at first practiced on a donar unit to see how hard the side panels are glued on.
I found one side came off very quickly but the other sides fought me all the way .
When it came to doing it on my car I left the center console in situ. This gave the plastic flimsy side mouldings abit more rigidity as they are fixed to cars chassis dash etc. Applied the same technique and they came off even quicker. You just have to go for it and don't hold back. The side panels are made from quite a solid piece of plastic.
They are only dry fitted at the moment but they go back perfectly if you shave of the odd bit of plastic weld behind the pieces. You will see what I mean when you refit them, what bits need an haircut.
All in with delivery back to me was £120. I drove the car there so the chap could get a colour match on the red stitching and alcantara.
Hope this helps you mate.


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