drivers seat leather cracking
06-29-2009, 03:52 AM
#32
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06-29-2009, 05:14 AM
#33
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Penny pinching? Guilty as charged. Bought mine CPO as well. Someone else took the huge depreciation hit. I call it being frugal.
To me, it's just a car. It's how I get to and from work. It's not the means to compensate for a woefully inadequate sex organ that it is for others.
All of the Audi literature says "leather seating surfaces," not "partial leather seating surfaces." Car salespeople lie to make sales. I would never trust what the salesperson says. Now, apparently, I cannot trust the manufacturer either.
My wife's X3 (CPO as well . . . oh, the horror of driving a car someone else drove) has nicer seats than this car. And at least they have the ***** to call their base seats (leatherette).
--Scott
To me, it's just a car. It's how I get to and from work. It's not the means to compensate for a woefully inadequate sex organ that it is for others.
All of the Audi literature says "leather seating surfaces," not "partial leather seating surfaces." Car salespeople lie to make sales. I would never trust what the salesperson says. Now, apparently, I cannot trust the manufacturer either.
My wife's X3 (CPO as well . . . oh, the horror of driving a car someone else drove) has nicer seats than this car. And at least they have the ***** to call their base seats (leatherette).
--Scott
Yeah, what he said. All of it.
spot on.
well... my A6 is a bit more than "just" a car... it's a nice little indulgence for me to enjoy... a reward for my hard work that has resulted in some level of success. Oh, and it makes my 100 minute commute - each way - far more enjoyable than driving it in, say, a Hyundai.
Although that Genesis is pretty nice....
06-29-2009, 05:22 AM
#34
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obviously anyone buying an a6 isn't going to be a penny pincher. 50k + and you would expect the seats to hold up whether or not it's leather or vinyl or whatever it may be. it's not like we are all buying hyundais or kias. the whole thing is aggravating for the most part. its almost time for me to trade mine in for a new a6 or a8, so i just hope i can fare out with the value. but i am going to try the cleaning solution posted earlier
06-29-2009, 05:23 AM
#35
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He actually was very informative. He just chose to inform me on things that made me more likely to purchase the vehicle.
Honestly, I don't really care... the seats are fine to me in terms of function and look/feel (they look brand new... I take very good care of them and so did the previous owner apparently).
I just have an overall objection to (a) stupid product development decisions (I work in marketing) and (b) shady representations of products..... from the manufacturer especially. It's a consumer expectation at this price level to have full leather seating... and they certainly play up to that.
And really... how much do they save, in the end, by subbing in the vinyl? Not much really, when you consider the full loaded cost of the material... they have to source the vinyl, qualify it, purchase it, carry two inventories, pay two vendors, etc., etc. The 1/2 or 1 more yard of leather is really nothing much cost wise (even if it does come from the planet Voltron...). I know this as I used to work in the shoe industry and as a result have been in on sourcing decisions on a lot of leather products.
I just don't get decision making like that on a premium brand. On a price brand that needs every penny? sure.
But on an Audi? Why?
Maybe it's because they make killer margin on the seating upgrade option?
I'm sure that's got a little bit to do with it...
Honestly, I don't really care... the seats are fine to me in terms of function and look/feel (they look brand new... I take very good care of them and so did the previous owner apparently).
I just have an overall objection to (a) stupid product development decisions (I work in marketing) and (b) shady representations of products..... from the manufacturer especially. It's a consumer expectation at this price level to have full leather seating... and they certainly play up to that.
And really... how much do they save, in the end, by subbing in the vinyl? Not much really, when you consider the full loaded cost of the material... they have to source the vinyl, qualify it, purchase it, carry two inventories, pay two vendors, etc., etc. The 1/2 or 1 more yard of leather is really nothing much cost wise (even if it does come from the planet Voltron...). I know this as I used to work in the shoe industry and as a result have been in on sourcing decisions on a lot of leather products.
I just don't get decision making like that on a premium brand. On a price brand that needs every penny? sure.
But on an Audi? Why?
Maybe it's because they make killer margin on the seating upgrade option?
I'm sure that's got a little bit to do with it...
06-29-2009, 07:11 AM
#36
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He actually was very informative. He just chose to inform me on things that made me more likely to purchase the vehicle.
Honestly, I don't really care... the seats are fine to me in terms of function and look/feel (they look brand new... I take very good care of them and so did the previous owner apparently).
I just have an overall objection to (a) stupid product development decisions (I work in marketing) and (b) shady representations of products..... from the manufacturer especially. It's a consumer expectation at this price level to have full leather seating... and they certainly play up to that.
And really... how much do they save, in the end, by subbing in the vinyl? Not much really, when you consider the full loaded cost of the material... they have to source the vinyl, qualify it, purchase it, carry two inventories, pay two vendors, etc., etc. The 1/2 or 1 more yard of leather is really nothing much cost wise (even if it does come from the planet Voltron...). I know this as I used to work in the shoe industry and as a result have been in on sourcing decisions on a lot of leather products.
I just don't get decision making like that on a premium brand. On a price brand that needs every penny? sure.
But on an Audi? Why?
Maybe it's because they make killer margin on the seating upgrade option?
I'm sure that's got a little bit to do with it...
Honestly, I don't really care... the seats are fine to me in terms of function and look/feel (they look brand new... I take very good care of them and so did the previous owner apparently).
I just have an overall objection to (a) stupid product development decisions (I work in marketing) and (b) shady representations of products..... from the manufacturer especially. It's a consumer expectation at this price level to have full leather seating... and they certainly play up to that.
And really... how much do they save, in the end, by subbing in the vinyl? Not much really, when you consider the full loaded cost of the material... they have to source the vinyl, qualify it, purchase it, carry two inventories, pay two vendors, etc., etc. The 1/2 or 1 more yard of leather is really nothing much cost wise (even if it does come from the planet Voltron...). I know this as I used to work in the shoe industry and as a result have been in on sourcing decisions on a lot of leather products.
I just don't get decision making like that on a premium brand. On a price brand that needs every penny? sure.
But on an Audi? Why?
Maybe it's because they make killer margin on the seating upgrade option?
I'm sure that's got a little bit to do with it...
EDIT -- see below
(not exactly the same, but almost, give or take an option)USA spec 4.2
PL spec 4.2
Last edited by jazznuts699; 06-29-2009 at 07:41 AM.
08-10-2009, 04:21 AM
#37
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Its crazy -- I just noticed a hairline crack down the vinyl drivers side bolster of my wife's 2005 A6 yesterday washing the car (with the standard seats, not the upgraded full leather ones) -- REALLY bummed. these seats have been treated since new, both my wife and I are in shape (not huge or weigh alot)... this is really lame.
We're now thinking of trading this car in. I take very very very good care of it and my other cars hold up way better. It is gorgeous, drives great, but in the last 6 months (just as soon as warranty is done), I've noticed:
1) the vinyl on the leather drivers seat cracking
2) clearcoat on the front bumper AND drivers front left bumper is beginning to flake off. Not a repaint, its factory. Total BS on a 52K 4 year old car.
3) sunroof shade springs have come loose again
We're now thinking of trading this car in. I take very very very good care of it and my other cars hold up way better. It is gorgeous, drives great, but in the last 6 months (just as soon as warranty is done), I've noticed:
1) the vinyl on the leather drivers seat cracking
2) clearcoat on the front bumper AND drivers front left bumper is beginning to flake off. Not a repaint, its factory. Total BS on a 52K 4 year old car.
3) sunroof shade springs have come loose again
08-11-2009, 09:59 AM
#38
I think that the faaaast depreciation of Audis all reflect to the quality issues represented here on this forum.
Market demand is all based on the quality and longlivity of a vehicle for it's lasting years and Audi definitely is nothing close to being a winner in it's lifespan.
No wonder BMWs and nowadays even Hyundais(speaking exclusively about the Genesis) get a better resale value than the A6.
Audi (or AOA) would never be more than concerned since that has nothing to do with short term new car sales anyway in this kind of recession.
Their interest would be more in providing customers with a newer fancier model to lease and that's it. By the time this comes back as an impact due to a quality issue, Audi will be providing it's customers with a newer model suggesting that all of the quality issues are a thing of the past.
Same cycle is going on the past C5s out there still running on our roads.
Market demand is all based on the quality and longlivity of a vehicle for it's lasting years and Audi definitely is nothing close to being a winner in it's lifespan.
No wonder BMWs and nowadays even Hyundais(speaking exclusively about the Genesis) get a better resale value than the A6.
Audi (or AOA) would never be more than concerned since that has nothing to do with short term new car sales anyway in this kind of recession.
Their interest would be more in providing customers with a newer fancier model to lease and that's it. By the time this comes back as an impact due to a quality issue, Audi will be providing it's customers with a newer model suggesting that all of the quality issues are a thing of the past.
Same cycle is going on the past C5s out there still running on our roads.
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