So, my new A6 (10 days old) was knifed or majorly keyed in a parking lot - huge gouge into the paint of the right rear passenger side door. What would cause somebody to get a thrill out of that? Do they go home later and think 'I'm cool I got that guys car' or what? I was just parked in a regular spot (admittedly not near other cars) but it's not like I took up 2 spaces or anything - sigh. Depressing...

Anyway, my question is - what's the likely cost of having the door repainted? Not a cheapo 'get by' kind, but factory-fresh like?

Scott S

Major bummer! My A6 4.2 got keyed too in a parking lot. About a 3 inch gouge down to the metal on top of the trunk lid. And a buddy of mine got a nice key job similar to yours on his A4. I just think that some people just can't stand it.
Wish I could tell you how much it will cost but I think your best bet is to get an estimate from a body shop.

Some SOB stabbed the hood. It didn't go right through metal, but did leave a noticable mark. It was actually only the shape and size of the lead from a pencil.

It cost about $350 to get it repaired, plus 3 days for the paint/clear-coat to dry. This was from the authorized Audi paint shop, they didn't have a body shop at my Audi dealership.

MAN!!!!!

Here is the summary:

Damage: Valet 1 throws a gaggle of keys(not mine) to Valet 2 who was standing in front of my A6. Keys fly through hand of Valet 2 and hit A6 right front fender. Hard. 1/4 long scratch and very deep. (FYI, Valet parking is required at this residence and because there is literally no where else to park you are somewhat at their mercy. Leaving your car on the street will virtually ensure a higher degree of damage without any recourse)

Further inspection reveals that same valet crew scratched rear bumper on exposed license plate frame of Jeep directly behind my A6. Two 1/4 inch scratches in rear bumper. No body damage involved with either scratch.

After police threaten to arrest me for disorderly conduct, I leave with written acknowledgement of damage from property manager on duty.)

Estimate:

Took car to the only authorized A8 repair shop North of NY City. I figure if Audi authorized them to work on the space frame etc. . . they must be o.k.. Several high end cars in process of repair including A8, A4, Lexus SC-LS, Porsche Boxter(s)-911, and some Toyota Land Cruisers. BTW, three of these vehicles were still in RapGuard.

Cost:

$1,200 + for the repainting of the three 1/4 inch scratches. Labor was 80% of that cost. The paint and material were almost nil. The shop will not repaint damaged area's unless you authorized them to remove the entire part from the vehicle to paint in the booth. Thus they needed to remove the right front fender, front passenger door (no damage just color matching), and rear synthetic bumper.

They repaint the entire piece via computer analysis of the existing color. It is then mock installed and tested for match. If it is "x%" off, whether noticeable to the naked eye or not, it is repainted again. Two week repair. Cost covered by the offending company.

The car is in the shop as we speak so I will let you know how it comes out. I think in your case you may have some Audi "haters" perhaps even some BMW owners who are angry that the 2.7T is now compared to the 540i on their own company site. It used to be in the comparo of the 528i. They will have to shell out 54 large to beat the performance of the 2.7T and still get a 4 door sedan.

Best of luck and choose your shop carefully. Call the dealer and see who they use.

Yeah, it's happened to me, but not on the Audi A6.

The good news is that bodyshops can do wonders these days. The bad news is that it'll cost plenty. Normally this is covered by comprehensive, and the deductable is quite low.

To answer Bart's question, I live in Portland, but I've also had this happen a South Center in Seattle on my Jeep Cherokee Ltd.

As for what are the people that do it thinking? Whaddya think? Who do you think does this, 45yr old housewives? It's male kids, and they don't think anything, that's the problem.

oc

...and the dealership doesn't do body work, so I've been sent to the affiliated Toyota shop who does the paint work on the Audi's. They wouldn't give an estimate over the phone, but when I told them my deductible was $1000 they said it would be much less than that. We'll see how much less...

I actually found a friend with a worse story. He brought his brand new Miata home from the dealership and overnight, somebody punched holes in the convertible top and rear (plastic) window with a key. He didn't even have it 24 hours!

I agree it's probably not some housewives out for vengeance - but even if it is a young male - what is the motivation? Jealousy? I just don't get vandalism I guess.

Scott S

Moving to an Apartment complex with security gates.

Just beware of their closing time when you want to pick up your car.

My dad's A6 must be cursed. On the "introduction" drive (dealer still driving), he gets a flat. Two days later, some wild animals (in the forest) do their mating ritual on the roof / hood / trunk. All nicely scratched. Two days later, I come to visit and park it - well, it's a bit wider than his olf A100, and so the right door gets scratched. Next day, it's raining and dense fog, and I am parking again. Unfortunately, the front bumper is too low for the parking burm and I manage to poke out the fog light. Oops.

Being the calm guy that my dad is, he just had the hood buffed out and touched up the door... I paid for a new fog light.

- Stan