I have had my A!Avantgarde grille for about 1.25 years....it isn't rusting but it is fading quite noticably. I am thinking of painting it again...with gloss black paint. My question is...is anyone else experiencing this...or is it just me?. I do not use high pressure spray guns to wash the car...haven't spilled any caustic fluids on the grille (ie. Gunk Degreaser)...and don't live anywhere where there is bad weather or salt treatment of the roads. <p>Good thing I kept the old OEM grille. I will probably swap it out...repaint the A!Avantgarde one, and then replace. What I am dreading is removing the 4 rings and then "trying" to reattach the rings to the grill....wish me luck. I took them off and on, twice already, and don't think they will last another remove and reattachment.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

1. My Avantgarde grille is fine after 7 months. No fading so far.<p>2. You can buy another grille from an Audi dealer for ~$25 - part #893 853 605 or just ask for the grille rings from either the Audi 80/90 or the 100 (dealer should know).<p>-josh

Although I dont have the A! one, I have the Kamei one, and it is also fading in a weird way. The lower half of it, is completely dull, and the part above it looks more glossy. First I thought it was the heat that caused it to get dull. <br>As you know we have salt, dirt and bad weather here, and I also use high pressure jets to clean my car (with caution of course, you know me). But if those factors would cause the fading, why is only half of it dull??<p>With that said, I dont think the environment for the car really matters, you live in a mild one and your grill looks like mine. Mine is only 9 months though. <br>I think its fair to say that they are of poor quality! Arent the A! and Kamei ones made in the same factory??<p>Tell me what you will do.<p>Joe M<br>98 A4 Avant T

When you have it re-painted, ask that a UV-inhibitor be added to the paint. I suspect it is fading from exposure. Mine is only about 10-11 months old and the car is parked in a garage at home and at work, no fading or loss o' gloss yet.