Body panel gaps - how big should they be?

**tadziak** · 18-10-2013,06:33 PM

Hi,
I was wondering if any of you has ever checked how big/wide are the gaps between body panels of your A6? In general mine seem not too big, however I often see lower class cars that seem to have much smaller distances between panels...Anybody messured what are the spaces for example between front door and back door or the trunk/bonet from each side?

Would be interesting to get your feedback on this.

**k6rff** · 18-10-2013,08:40 PM

Dear Tadziak,

I've watched your posts about wind noise, ACC control, auto lights not having a crystal ball and now body gap dimensions. I generally think myself a little picky but I have to say that this is my 5th Audi, I'm generally happy with it - as I have been with all the others. Nothing's perfect, even a Lamborghini or a McLaren, but I know my car represents good design, good build quality and good value on re-sale. Compare the build quality with a BM or Merc.
Try to look on the things that don't annoy you and you might grow to love it.

**Passatier3** · 19-10-2013,12:40 AM

Can't argue with that!

But in way of a comment lets just say that I've never noticed any excess body gaps, even during the many times I've washed and polished the car, and I'm pretty critical.

Next time I go out to the car I purposely won't be looking at the gaps!

**tadziak** · 19-10-2013,01:11 AM

Originally Posted by k6rff

Dear Tadziak,

I've watched your posts about wind noise, ACC control, auto lights not having a crystal ball and now body gap dimensions. I generally think myself a little picky but I have to say that this is my 5th Audi, I'm generally happy with it - as I have been with all the others. Nothing's perfect, even a Lamborghini or a McLaren, but I know my car represents good design, good build quality and good value on re-sale. Compare the build quality with a BM or Merc.
Try to look on the things that don't annoy you and you might grow to love it.

That's a wise and good post. I'm aware that it's not healthy to look for problems or unperfections, it's better to enjoy the things, because nothing really is perfect. However when you buy an expensive car, an electronic device or whatever else, you want to make sure that you get 100% of what you paid for. Meaning, if there are let's say 100 A6 C7 cars and some of them are quieter, the other have better acceleration, other have nicer aligned body or smoother working gearbox - then it's annoying. And unfortunately, we are living in a world when no two products are really the same. So I want my car to be as good as this model can be in every aspect and I'm trying to make sure if everything is 'within' specs or something needs to be corrected by the dealer.

**ScottyA6** · 19-10-2013,04:46 AM

Well I usually notice things like that even if they don't really bother me. My car sits in a car park at work with an A3, a Merc AMG coupe, two Volvos, a Toyota and a Suzuki. Panel gaps wise I would say they are all pretty similar apart from the Suzuki which is noticably better, but then it is all round a pretty abysmal car and frankly I would rather be seen getting out of a sheep.

My A6 is on a par with my previous XF Jag panel fit wise but the Audi is defo superior in paint quality. All round I think Audi sit within the pack, as to differences from car to car there is far less of it with automated manufacturing so I wouldn't worry too much about it, if we put our cars side by side I bet we would have to squint to see too much of a difference.

**k6rff** · 19-10-2013,05:11 AM

OK, who is manufacturing these 'lesser cars' with their narrow gaps? Should I be looking at buying a Ford Focus or how about a Vauxhall Insignia - or even a Suzuki perhaps?
i like the sheep analogy - just about sums it up.

**ScottyA6** · 19-10-2013,05:54 AM

If you are driving around in an Audi it won't take long for smaller panel gaps to be come far less relevent if you get into that Vauxhall, Ford, or Suzuki. I am not detracting from those cars, however, it is a different segment. Car manufactuers filter down product and what is the top of the tree in a Vauxhall ? Insignia,I don't know, but I think it is, Audi- A8 or R8, depending on your inclination. Bit of a difference there.

As to the Suzuki, it is a very neatly put together little car but it is populated with cheap plastic, the tinny sound when you close the door makes you think you would be better protected in a carrier bag if you had a smash, and it is noisy + uncomfortable.

Your A6 is a different world.

**zollaf** · 19-10-2013,08:23 AM

suzuki's are also pretty appalling when it comes to getting parts and information. even autodata has not a lot on any of them, so if you want to do a timing belt on an 05 plate alto, yo have to guess how to do it. a lot of stuff is main dealer only and not all computers will interrogate them.

**Doctle Odd** · 19-10-2013,10:23 AM

You just need a tipex pen!

Originally Posted by zollaf

suzuki's are also pretty appalling when it comes to getting parts and information. even autodata has not a lot on any of them, so if you want to do a timing belt on an 05 plate alto, yo have to guess how to do it. a lot of stuff is main dealer only and not all computers will interrogate them.

**zollaf** · 19-10-2013,10:28 AM

that what i do. luckiliy the one i look after is so easy to do you don't even need tippex. but its things like tensioner torques . the main point is that the suzuki might do 70 mpg, but is a really nasty little car with no aftermarket support. people who own vags just don't reaslise how fortunate thy are with the main dealers, tps, ecp, gsf, vcds and the rest of the aftermarket world. this more than makes up for large panel gaps.
talking of panel gaps, you wanna see a landrover. some are so bad that a thin person doesn't even need to open the door to get in.