After several years of following the discussions on this board -- very much appreciated -- I have finally run into my first allroad (2003) issue with Audi. One of the small plastic dowls which holds the cover in place in the back has broken off. I have been advised by my dealer and AOA that the only solution is to order an entire new cover ($600 before installation). Gotta be a better way. Any ideas or info?

under warranty.

First, excuse yourself from teh dealer parts department. Their goal in life is to mark up parts as much as possible.

Next, give us some more detail of what you are talking about that is broken. I found a part called "pin" related to the cargo area retractable cover. Can you ID your part in the picture below?

<img src="http://www.showyourmedia.com/files/1131047494.jpg">

If we can id the part then just buy it through www.worldimpex.com or clairparts.com or another OEM parts source other than the dealer.

Another option is to find a whole used cover on ebay, at shokan.com, or Dadsauto.com.

both times the entire cover was replaced under warranty.

It seems 35 is the correct part. Dealer said it isn't covered under warranty - strange because we had no discussion how it occurred (I don't know) and AOA said dealers determination is final.

Any dealer choice can be over ruled by Audi.

You choices are simple...

1. Go to another dealer.
2. Speak to the OWNER of this dealer.
3. Get a send level Customer Car rep invoived and ask the Zone Manager to look at it.
4. Go to another dealer.


As usual.. it the dealer who screws it up for us all.

your a local guy paulroad, i'm in oceanside and use Anchor, who do you use?

Is there a way to order the part directly, without the dealer?

Sorry, missed you message after the diagram. Thanks.

Then its coverd. Dealer is being an ass. Go to another dealer. Your dealer is trying to make a retail+ markup on the part rather than the warranty party markup. Bastages.

Called the dealership with the part number. Manager, after putting me on hold, came back and said he was sorry he made a mistake the "pin" can be replaced. I asked him how long before they get it in. Answer: "OH, WE HAVE THEM IN STOCK, YOU CAN COME IN ANYTIME." There's gotta be a better way. Thanks again.

Who did you talk to? WHo gave you the answer? This is not like them. May sales guy is Barry and if it were my problem..it becomes his problem...willingly.

But then again, I have a good relationsship with the Service Manager..Mike.

But I have also learned.. never point out what the cause of the problem is. Just mention the problem. They then fix it. IE.. there is something wrong with the shade... it doens' do xxxxx. Can you check it out?

Wathcing for yuears and only 2 posts? Nothing like using us.... :-)

Spoke to Mike on both ocassions (see message above). He apologized, nice. Never told them how it happened (I don't know), just told them it broke off (easy to see). Both my buddies that I sent to Anchor to purchase, have had problems with the service department. Maybe I should drop your name next time!

Don't know about "using you", but certainly appreciate all of the info. Don't really have much to add, since I don't mod (lease) and I'm not really that knowledgable about cars, although I do love the allroad and have been racing a bit in my youth (formula fords). So, I do like to drive. Thanks again, and if I can add anything in the future, I will be sure to put my two cents in.

I'm on car # 3 with them. The have made mistakes.. but they are human. I have posted when things go wrong.. but they always fix it.

waiting to get some time to talk to you and come down. I'm swamped at the office at the moment. I trust you are well?

so it's all good.