Absolut Todd

Thanks to Denny and Mr. Schwing I have the back hatch trim piece removed. The Bentley guide misses 2 steps. Here is my revised version.

Here is how it looks before you do anything.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/before_removal.jpg">

1. Remove hatch light and unplug from connector.

Very straight forward and as Bentley describes.

<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1524173&a=13620968&p=52823815">

2. Remove hatch latch (aka striker plate) trim. Bentley does not specify to remove the striker plate, but as pointed out by others, you do in fact need to remove the plate. These are torx screws (medium size star bit from your socket set)

<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1524173&a=13620968&p=52823817">

Latch trim removed
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/after_removing_hatch_light_and_striker_plate_trim. jpg">

Latch plate removed (notice the bolts for the spoiler)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/after_removing_striker_plate.jpg">

3. Wiggle your fingers under the rear of the the trim piece and pull down. Start on the left hand side (as you are facing the rear of the car from the outside). The trim is held by spring clips which will give under pressure. Use a long screwdriver as a lever to help.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/spring_clips_partially_removed.jpg">

4. After getting the left half of the bottom trim on clipped, you need to get the right hand side. Unfortunately this is not as straighforward as the left side due to the complication of a plastic screw/plunger which reinforces the handles pull on the hatch lid. Bentley makes no mention of this screw. This is a plastic screw that can not be unscrewed. If you pull hard enough (and I mean HARD) it will pop out. Once you have popped the side off - it will easily slide out from the front hatch trim piece (despite Bentley's implications that it can not be done without also removing the front trim piece from the hatch lid.)

Close up of the pesky screw/plunger (note lack of grove to use screwdriver to remove it)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/close_up-inside_hatch_handle.jpg">

After pulling down right side
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/partially_removed_with_pesky_screw_showing.jpg">

5. Success!! Now onto part 2 for the removal of that pesky spoiler.

Back of trim piece
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/back_of_bottom_trim.jpg">

Naked inside hatch lid
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/8301/bottom_trim_removed.jpg">

TTschwing

Hatch was the easy part! Now you're in for it!