[Audi A3/S3] Boot And Seat Rattles

[Motormouth]

Ive started getting quite a bad rattly sound comming from the boot area when ever I go over a bump in the road. I have taken everything out of the boot including spare wheel, parcel shelf etc and I still get the noise. I recon it must be something under the trim in the boot area, anyone had simular problem and what was it ?

Also another simular issue, the passenger seat rattles like hell, unless I adjust it so the back of it is quite far back. Is this a common A3 issue I read some posts that suggested it was, would it come under warrenty ?

[Motormouth]

My local audi dealer wanted £98 plus vat per hour to look at problem, so not bothering with them.

How do you get the trim off the tail gate, I assume I would need to do that to change the buld in high level break light ?

[pigglet]

Is your car an A3 8P model?

If so, then there is an issue with rear shock absorbers on some models.

I have had a rattle sound coming from the rear of the car since new in March this year. I was convinced it was from the boot area.

On return to the dealer , the technician immediately identified the problem as noisy shock absorbers.

Apparently this is a known problem ( but not a re-call item).

My car ,3.2 quattro S-Line, is at the dealer today having the rear shocks changed out.

Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

Will keep you posted.

[Motormouth]

Not sure what A3 8P is, mines an old shape 02 plate.

I actually thought it could be the shock absorber.

I bought it from an Audi Dealer and got a years warrenty, they told me though that I would have to pay for the invesitgation work, the warrenty only covers me for the time spent fitting the new part and the part, does that sound correct ?

[pigglet]

8P is the latest shape 2003 onwards.

If it is a problem with shock absorbers, then it should be covered by your warranty.

I would press the dealer into investigating under the terms of the warranty.

Good luck

[pigglet]

Collected my car from the dealer last night.

It is now 'rattle free' thanks to new rear shocks fitted.

Have seen on various forums that this is quite a common problem...... Great quality control (not) from Audi.

[felixthecat1]

I'm no fan of VAG Service but at least they fixed it. That's a result in my book.

[Motormouth]

I gave all the joints around the boot a good spray with WD40, and gave the trim around the boot a good push and hit and the noise seems to have gone for now.

Totally pived about the Audi Used car warrenty though, and that I have to pay them to invesitgate the issue, and pay that even if its a warrenty claim. If I had realised that I would of bought from an independent and saved myself some £.

By the way its Croydon Audi, they managed to sell me a car that after a couple of miles of driving left me on the Hardsholder with engine warning light on. There pre-dev inspection must be great... not.

Had a Ford Racing Puma before, ok its a Ford but I never had any problems with it, and serving and parts cost penauts. I think my relationship with my 1.8T is going to be a short one, just doesnt do it for me. I thought I wanted a more relaxed drive so got the Audi, it must of just been a phase, going to get myself an Elise instead now.

So up for grabs is a Audi 1.8t, 02 plate, 23.5k miles, 10 months warrenty / Audi Assist, 17inch star alloys, ming blue, leather heated seats, Symphony 2, climate and the usual stuff, immaculate condition (all little scratches sorted and no alloy scuffs etc).

[felixthecat1]

That's a real shame. The A4 and other Audis do suffer from aftersales service problems. The cars themselves are great but the dealers are a joke.

I'm no badge snob and I love the Racing Puma, It looks different and I liove the fact that Ford made pressed metal changes to it rather than adding a spoiler and nose job. Suppose they had to though eh! From what I hear is a great drive. In fact there's one not far from me that I see now and again. I'd speak to the driver bit she's in her late 40's early 50's and doesn't look after it very well so she'd probably think I was mad, or a mugger.

Like I say, sorry about your Audi problems although you shouldn't have too much trouble selling it on.

Good luck with your next ride.