Audi - decline in material quality
Discussion
Has anyone else experienced disappointment with the quality of materials in their cabin? I went from the 1st to 2nd gen Q3. The 2nd gen had a far more modern looking interior with better MMI and VC. But it feels like you’re just surrounded by cheap plastic and low grade materials. Good example would be the volume wheels which feel very light and flimsy. Almost feels like a toy car and not a real one. Certainly seems like there’s not much to set it apart from say a Ford. It feels like a lot of cost cutting has occurred. In contrast, the 1st gen used lots of high quality materials, cold to the touch metal, nice cloths, robust feeling plastics.
I've had two new Q3's in the last couple of years (S-Line and a Vorsprung), and actually thought they were really well executed inside for what is very much a "compact"/lower end SUV (I entered with low expectations 
)
I agree there is a lot of hard/cheap materials in parts of the cabin, you can see where they've cut costs. But what I will say is that overall I think they did a good job of it in terms of a) screwing everything together properly and b) using just enough high quality materials on the key touch and vision points that it makes it look more expensive than it is so overall I think the execution is pretty good.
In contrast, the SQ2 I had was embarrassingly cheap inside. I know its one step down from a Q3, but even compared to a Golf, it was unpleasant...
)I agree there is a lot of hard/cheap materials in parts of the cabin, you can see where they've cut costs. But what I will say is that overall I think they did a good job of it in terms of a) screwing everything together properly and b) using just enough high quality materials on the key touch and vision points that it makes it look more expensive than it is so overall I think the execution is pretty good.
In contrast, the SQ2 I had was embarrassingly cheap inside. I know its one step down from a Q3, but even compared to a Golf, it was unpleasant...
SuperPav said:
AudiMan9000 said:
At the point there doesn’t seem much reason to get an Audi over a VW, other than the Audis look slightly ‘cooler’.
well other than the fact that VW models have also been subject to the same cost-cutting as Audi...AI1601 said:
Admittedly I haven’t sat in one but the build and materials look cheaper in the new A3 compared to its predecessors. Wonder if Audi are becoming like Merc where the interior fit and finish improves as you go up the range especially A6 and above.
Isn't that how it's always been with every manufacturer.You wouldnt expect the same interior from a fiesta in a Mondeo or a 1series to a 7.
Admittedly beyond a good seat, comfortable steering wheel and controls I couldn't give a stuff what the plastic looks like.
aka_kerrly said:
AI1601 said:
Admittedly I haven’t sat in one but the build and materials look cheaper in the new A3 compared to its predecessors. Wonder if Audi are becoming like Merc where the interior fit and finish improves as you go up the range especially A6 and above.
Isn't that how it's always been with every manufacturer.You wouldnt expect the same interior from a fiesta in a Mondeo or a 1series to a 7.
Admittedly beyond a good seat, comfortable steering wheel and controls I couldn't give a stuff what the plastic looks like.
I noticed it years ago going from a 2006 A4 cabriolet to a 2008 A5. Chalk and cheese. The A5 was awful looking back, though they may have improved a little bit since. I worked at Bentley in 2013 when the VW boss-man announced an ‘across-the-board’ 20% reduction in piece part cost of all group cars. That meant a £10500 reduction in the Conti at the time.
Our 2016 Golf was absolutely crap, as were the Golfs that we had as courtesy cars while the dealer sorted out the quality issues of ours. Won’t be returning to any of the brands anytime soon. The Mrs went to a Cooper S based on me having one as a run-around. Complete transformation in quality over the Golf. We only do service visits now as opposed to booking in a couple of days after picking it up after the last fix. Lost count the amount of times the Golf went in, but it exceeded in 3 years the amount of times my Jags went in over 8 years, and the Jags weren’t by any means perfect. Just better.
Our 2016 Golf was absolutely crap, as were the Golfs that we had as courtesy cars while the dealer sorted out the quality issues of ours. Won’t be returning to any of the brands anytime soon. The Mrs went to a Cooper S based on me having one as a run-around. Complete transformation in quality over the Golf. We only do service visits now as opposed to booking in a couple of days after picking it up after the last fix. Lost count the amount of times the Golf went in, but it exceeded in 3 years the amount of times my Jags went in over 8 years, and the Jags weren’t by any means perfect. Just better.
AudiMan9000 said:
I dunno...it used to be the case that say a Q3 was a cut above say a Ford Kuga. But now there’s nothing in it.
Or the other argument is Ford have gotten their act together and are making better interiors now than in the past (not exactly hard) plus these days with more and more cars only being with the first owner for 2-3years I expect manufacturers think they can get away with even more shortcuts so long as they aren't exposed during the warranty period.Sten. said:
Recently got my first Audi (2020 A5 Sportback), it replaced a Merc E Class, which replaced a BMW 4 series. Can't say I've got any complaints about material quality, it seems in line with Merc and BMW which all seem well made cars.
The A5 is based on the A4, which has been around since about 2016. It’s the old generation with the MMI stuck on the dash. Mark my words, when they bring the new model out with the intergrated dash, it’ll be cheap plastic galore.AudiMan9000 said:
Sten. said:
Recently got my first Audi (2020 A5 Sportback), it replaced a Merc E Class, which replaced a BMW 4 series. Can't say I've got any complaints about material quality, it seems in line with Merc and BMW which all seem well made cars.
The A5 is based on the A4, which has been around since about 2016. It’s the old generation with the MMI stuck on the dash. Mark my words, when they bring the new model out with the intergrated dash, it’ll be cheap plastic galore.Based upon my experience today it's not just a drop in material quality, there has been a real drop in customer support as well.
As a result of the 'brittle-as-a-biscuit' rear seat folding mechanism on my 2019 A4 Avant failing, meaning the seat back won't secure upright I called into my local dealership on Saturday (Newcastle) to see if a fitter could take a look and order whatever replacement parts would be needed to repair. Was told they can't look at it on a Saturday, bring it back in on Monday.
Arrived today to an 'appointments only' card on the door, receptionist told me nobody can come out of the workshop (10 years away) and take a look and gave me a service booking number to ring because "we're so busy, you'll have to book an appointment". Phoned the Glasgow based call centre, earliest appointment is 11th May.... and they need it the whole day just to look at it.... no courtesy cars available either. Pathetic.
As a result of the 'brittle-as-a-biscuit' rear seat folding mechanism on my 2019 A4 Avant failing, meaning the seat back won't secure upright I called into my local dealership on Saturday (Newcastle) to see if a fitter could take a look and order whatever replacement parts would be needed to repair. Was told they can't look at it on a Saturday, bring it back in on Monday.
Arrived today to an 'appointments only' card on the door, receptionist told me nobody can come out of the workshop (10 years away) and take a look and gave me a service booking number to ring because "we're so busy, you'll have to book an appointment". Phoned the Glasgow based call centre, earliest appointment is 11th May.... and they need it the whole day just to look at it.... no courtesy cars available either. Pathetic.
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