rusty a6 roof gutters

[sbt]

i have just noticed a problem with the inner edge of the roof gutters on my a6 avant basicaly there is rust starting under the paint tiny bubbles it is the same on both sides after a bit of detective work i have found out that this is not uncommon .apparently this is caused in manufacture when the metal is creased on the bending machine it is rubbing the protective zinc of the surface do you think this will be covered by audis 12 year anti corrosion warrenty. if you own one of these cars over five years old go and check yours because the more people that have this problem means it is pointing to a manufacturing fault

[½cwt]

Mine too. W reg 2000 A6 2.5TDi Avant. Right side seems to be worse than left.

I suspect anti-corrosion warranty is perforation of the metal not just corrosion...

[sbt]

you may be right but the warranty is called anti corrosion .rust under the paint is corrosion if we have to wait for it to become a hole surely this will cause many more problems ie wet roof linings wet carpets damp in the car and with all the electrics that are in a modern car surely audi would not like to pick up the bill for that lot i will have to take it to the dealers and get an official view point trouble is i cant do without my car even for one day .it would be nice if audi admited it was a manufacturing fault because after browsing the internet this seems to be a huge problem in america where people are talking about legal action against audi

[692DPG]

Just swapped my A4 T sport Avant for a newer A6 Avant Q and was amazed to find corrosion in the roof gutters in the identical place both sides. Have had the car at Preston Audi this week for their warranty man to view and he said "This is the second one of these I've seen today with this problem". Doesn't sound like an isolated case to me! Strangely, the other car was about the same age and colour? Still waiting to find out how Audi intend to proceed but trust me I'm no push over. Following a previous accident my car spent over 16 weeks in the body shop attaining Audi like finish before I accepted it and I'm not averse to using the power of the law to achieve results! :zx11:

[sbt]

i phoned lancaster audi on chester road in manchester they did not want to know they passed me to smith knight fay audi in audenshaw who wanted to keep my car until there man could inspect it but thats a no no as i need my car every day or my business does not function. if thay accept it as a manufacturing fault thay would have to supply a me with a car whilst it is being repaired . i am quickly falling out with audi thay are fantastic cars with a pathetic dealer network . just think about it a6 avant roof gutters going rusty in the same place loads of cars with this problem both here and in america its a manufacturing fault in my oppinion end of argument . it should be put right under warranty my car was 32 grand new it should not be happening on a lada never mind a 32 grand a6 quattro avant i think i will be looking elsewhere for my next car :aargh4:

[692DPG]

Totally agree with your sentiment sbt. Mine is in for service today and am expecting some progress feedback when I collect it. I struggle to see why your dealers want to play ping pong with you rather than confront the problem. As you clearly suggest, if it is a manufacturing defect then it is not the individual dealer who assumes responsibility or cost for rectification. Will keep you posted.

PS. Notice yours is a quattro, so is mine; interested to know if 2wd Avants affected.

[½cwt]

Quattro or no Quattro the shell is essentially the same and I'm sure the roof panel is. I have the same problem on my W reg 2.5TDi Avant. Looks like time to hassle a dealer even for a car this age if it is a manuafacturing fault. My guess is the corrosion resistant coating was stretched to far to maintain its integrity when the panels were originally stamped, or the anti corrosion spray/dip runs thin on that tight radius during the painting process.

Perhaps if we can get enough owner feedback through this forum we can take it direct to Audi GB thus avoiding dealers palying eachother off against each other. Your thoughts?

[692DPG]

I agree its time to hassle the dealer but strong proof of the case would be a valuable weapon. If we could collate feedback from all C5 A6 Avant owners on the forum then maybe Audi UK would take this more seriously. I am amazed that the car is rusting where it is. I have owned Audis and VWs for nearly 20 years and this is the worst instance of corrosion I have come across on a 7 year old car which has not been subject to accident damage.

I will continue to pursue this and feedback to the forum.:mad:

Dave.

[sbt]

i have been in the electroplating game for over 30 years the sheet metal audi manufacture there cars from is electroplated with zinc it is not galvanising like you see on lamp posts and railings it is a microscopicaly thin electro plated coating of zinc metal an average thickness of plating is between 10 and 20 microns to put it into old figures there are 25 microns to one thousands of an inch .exactly very thin and easly rubbed of on the bending machine as i have said it is a manufacturing fault

[692DPG]

Ok sbt, if we agree to agree that it is a manufacturing fault we need to prove that it is prevalent in C5 A6 Avants to get any action from Audi UK. Otherwise we're just going to get fobbed of by individual dealers playing on our lack of hard evidence. Any suggestions how we would run a survey on the forum?

[acetaylor]

it is possible that audi are sourcing their metals and alloys from cheeper sources (as ford did so many years ago, resulting in 4 years of really rusty fords), some of these can produce substandard steel etc...

my older A6 avant (1997) is completely rust free throughout as was the Audi 100 avant i had before then

if the metals are being sourced from cheeper sources then this surely is down to the manufacturing and should therefore remain covered by the waranty.

i would be furious if i had bought my audi new to find rust!!

GRRR angry ANNOY :aargh4:

[692DPG]

Audi rep made appointment with me today examine my car on 16 May. Will keep you posted on progress.

Dave.

[692DPG]

Shocked beyond belief: Preston Audi phoned today to book my car in for repair. The Audi inspector instructed them to proceed without inspecting the car when the corrosion location and nature was described. I was expecting one hell of a battle but it was not to be. The other A6 Avant owner who reported the same fault on the same day has also been given instruction for the repair under warranty.:D

Keep up the pressure, Audi must be accepting that this is an issue. Or alternatively, go and see Chris Horton at Preston Audi, he seems to get results.

[sbt]

thanks for the info thats a brilliant result will you get a car from them whilst yours is being repaired .i am seriously considering selling mine just fancy change i get bored quickly. any chance of preston audis phone number

[Sam]

Ok sbt, if we agree to agree that it is a manufacturing fault we need to prove that it is prevalent in C5 A6 Avants to get any action from Audi UK. Otherwise we're just going to get fobbed of by individual dealers playing on our lack of hard evidence. Any suggestions how we would run a survey on the forum?

This can be sorted for you should you still wish to go ahead with one.

[692DPG]

Sbt, Preston Audi are providing the replacement car for the period of the repair, their number is 01772 730000. Speak to Chris. With reference to Sam's feedback about a survey on the forum to build up the case, I think there is still a need. Any thoughts?

Dave.

[692DPG]

My car has gone in for paint repair under warranty today but while I was booking it in I read the job card which says "Repair as per Tech Bulletin" which suggests that this is a known fault, though not all Audi dealerships acknowledge it. I suggest that if you have the problem that you pursue it and don't give up.

PS SBT, replacement car a 56 plate A4 Avant TDI so at least I'm not struggling with a Ford KA!

[sbt]

hi sorry ive not been on for a while .the news is good regards my roof gutters because as i write my car is in audenshaw audis body shop being sorted i had to wait a while between inspection and having the job started but no probs audi in my case have stood by there anti corrosion warrenty i was also given a curtesy car a nearly new vw polo 1.2 which is fine short term i am sure this thing could go round the world for tenners worth of juice it doesnt seem to use any . as ive said all fairness to audi thay have stood by there word hope you have the same result as me expect my car back 22/7/07 i will let you know how its turned out:Blush:

[Alas]

I am glad I found this thread!

Just checked my 1999 A6 Avant (light (aluminium?) silver), and the paint is starting to bubble on the near side gutter, middle roof panel, over the rear-most window.

I have not had this car from new, do you think this would influence a warranty claim?

Closest Audi dealership is Crawley, anybody had good/bad experiences with this dealer?

[sbt]

hi got my car back yesterday audi done a top job even valeted it for me . no it matters not how long you have owned the car it is the vehicle that as the 12 year anti corrosion warranty not the owner audi are aware of the problem so you should have no trouble getting it sorted you just have to be patient it takes a while from inspection to repair

[692DPG]

SBT - Result! I think this defect is now universally recognised. Glad to hear that you have got your car repaired.

Dave.

[Highermileage]

I have just picked up my R reg AVANT (232K) from Bath Audi who have repaired the roof under the anti corrosian warrenty. The bill was £900 which Audi UK milton keynes have relucantly paid appararently.

My warrenty ran out on the 11.11.07 so I am pleased.

Just keep taking it in and moaning. I think I am lucky since I bought my car from them and they have serviced it.

[thehoff]

Gents, new to the forum today.
Stumbled over this thread and count me in my 99 A6 avant has the same problem on the near side front roof rail, i would be more than happy to participate in a joint approach to Audi although my auto transmission ECU problem is a little more pressing at the moment!

[692DPG]

Hoffmeister,

No need to engage in a joint assault on Audi UK, there seems to be a clear acceptance of responsibility so simply approach your nearest Audi Dealer and get them to inspect the corrosion and a repair should be forthcoming. Understand your position on the transmission problem - a little more serious than a bit of cosmetics!

Dave.

[tallpall2006]

As above - just approach Audi - i have just had my 99 A6 repaired all is well now - had to give back the A3 2.0 Turbo FSI Quattro though!

[mhobson]

I live in France and took my Dec 1999 A6 avant to the dealership and they said they would have to tell the Audi rep about the rust in the gutter, (they said that they have never seen this problem before) but they said that he rarely goes to their depot. I have been waiting six months and been back there but nothing. Audi may be up to speed in the UK but in France customer service is non existent. Any written confirmation of the Audi acceptance of the problem being known and covered by warranty would be most appreciated. Regards, Michael

[Highermileage]

From my experience, my moaning had my local dealership escacalte the isue to Head Office. I left the car with them for 2 days so that they could carry out an independant inspection and when I went in to pick it up they advised me that it was already in the bodyshop and that I would be provided with a quote of the works.

I have just looked at the invoice again and it simply confirms the work which has been completed.

There was no admissions, just the work carried out.

When you are next in UK, I would pop into a dealership here.

My father lives in France and has many problems with Land Rover in France. He brought it back to the UK on account of warrenty issues.

If you think Audi's are expensive to keep and maintain, landrovers are worse.

I suspect this has not helped, but this is my account.

[JimSharp39]

Yes, you guessed it. Mine also hase rusty bubbles in the roof gutters, just above the rear doors.

However, my car has long been out of the dealer network and is serviced by myself and VAG specialists. What prospect of getting a dealer to look favourably at the bubbling?

Thoughts appreciated?

Jim

99 A6 2.5 TDi quattro

[692DPG]

Jim,

No one bothered to look at my service book or to ask. I fail to see how the anti corrosion warranty can be tied to the maintenance and inspection schedule or surely Audi would have detected mine during the servicing and informed me instaed of the otherway around. I would give it a try at your Audi dealer, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Dave,

[Niall76]

Jim,

No one bothered to look at my service book or to ask. I fail to see how the anti corrosion warranty can be tied to the maintenance and inspection schedule or surely Audi would have detected mine during the servicing and informed me instaed of the otherway around. I would give it a try at your Audi dealer, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Dave,


Does anyone know off-habd if the 1997 cars had a 12 year warranty?

[692DPG]

Warranty period is detailed in the service book and/or the user manual, assuming that your car is a C5 model, 1997 onwards, then your anti-corrosion warranty should be 12 years.

Dave.

[JimSharp39]

Anyone any experience of a Scottish dealer that looks favourably at repairs? I have heard that Edinburgh Audi are not particularly service oriented - more interested in new vehicle sales
cheers

Jim

[A6Glider]

Had this problem last May 06. (A6 2.5TDi avant 1998)

Car broke down in Scotland, while waiting for car to be recovered south I noticed Rust bubbles allong near side gutter.

Asked local dealer in West Berks to inspect and claim under warrenty. They declined not covered by warrenty.

Original dealer who supplied car no longer franchised.

Tried Basingstoke Audi, and they coulden't have been more helpfull. Warrenty claim submitted, had to be inspected, all authorised OK.

The sting however, talking to the Audi appointed inspector is that apparently the dealer who undertakes the work has to underwrite the remainer of the warrenty hence why dealers are reticent to take on task. (Could also be an indication of there quality of work).

How a year on and seems OK.

[NeilJMD]

Just joined the forum today - lucky for me I did, first thing I see is this thread!

I have a 1999 A6 Avant 2.7T (in for it's 120k km service at this very moment) which also has paintwork bubbles along the nearside (for the UK - offside) gutter. Unfortunately the local VAG dealer here in France has a very bad reputation, my car has gone to a German auto specialist garage instead.

Does anyone know if there have been any official recognition by Audi of this fault that I could use at the dealers? :1zhelp:

[mhobson]

Did you see my earlier post under this heading? If you get any other info in France please let me know, Regards, Michael

[Blocco A Spiral]

Same problem on my 2001 A6 Avant, just noticed last week. I will try the local main dealer in Nottingham, John Fox I believe, and see what happens.

Quite a shock to find rust on the roof but at least its location is indicative of a manufacturing/ design flaw which I guess is what the warranty is designed to provide assurance against.

[Blocco A Spiral]

Success,:biglaugh:repair approved, just waiting to get the car booked in to the bodyshop. Audis are great!

[lonky]

Warrenty is acturally 10 years not 12, but Audi are good to it, and my car is 9 years old and just had it done without any hassle from Audi.

They were not even interested in service history etc. , just if the vehicle was under 10 years old.

Can't fault Audi for that.

[Padwick]

Has anyone else had this done by Audi? I've just noticed the same thing on my own car (2001), and I was going tomorrow to get an independent quote as I thought Audi wouldn't touch it under the ten year unless they had serviced the car for its life.

[Blocco A Spiral]

You should try Audi first but after getting my 2001 A6 roof fixed under the Audi warranty the rust returned within 18 months and I've just had the whole roof and rear quarters re-painted under the 3 year warranty provided by the bodyshop, Selbys in Nottingham.

There are now rust bubbles on the offside front wing :confused:

[simon w-t]

Hi, Interesting thread I have a 1998 R A6 Avant with same problem on roof affected areas are nearside front and rear by roof rails,

unfortunately I have only recently bought car if its out of warranty what chance I got ?

Simon

[692DPG]

Simon, at 13 years I think you'll be out of luck. The warranty is 12 years from my recollection. Dave.

[simon w-t]

Thanks Dave,

Damn The car was registered in March 2008:zx11:

Prob got no chance now then :mad:

Simon

[simon w-t]

Thanks Dave,

Damn The car was registered in March 2008:zx11:

Prob got no chance now then :mad:

Simon

Sent An email to Audi today about it

hopefully they will say o.k:D

but prob not:mad:

Si

[wacky77]

2wd's are affected too, my A6 1.9TDI FWD avant on a '99 has exactly the same issue down the passenger side roof gutter. Front arches seem to suffer a bit too on the C5 A6 seen a few (including mine) with bubbles on the front arches. Doesn't seem to affect the 80's/90's/ 80 based coupes and cabbies as much or the B5 A4 maybe audi lowered the plating standards to make sure their cars didn't last forever lol

[lonky]

Fault to the gutters was caused by overbending the gutter fold causing a crack in the plating of the steel.

Earlier roofs had no gutter, and later changed the fold profile.

If you have rusty wheel arches that it an old repair that originally damaged the plating.

I got mine repaired by Audi at 8 years & 10 - last Audi service was several years earlier.

Tried again at 11.5 years and Audi decided not to honor the warrenty - was a bit hopeful

With all rust, once it has a hold it is very difficult to kill.

[wacky77]

front arches must be accident magnets round my way then lol :-)