I just picked up an 06 A4 2.0TQ, and the front ash tray won't close. I managed to pull out the tray insert, and I can tell that a couple of coins have slipped down into the door slot. The coins prevent the door from opening fully, so the mechanism can't reset into the latch mode. Does anyone know how to access the tray door cavity without tearing apart the center console? Or failing that, what is required to pull the center console to access the hole that the coins are sitting in. This isn't a crisis by any definition, but it is annoying.

Note to all: Don't store any coins around the shifter, somebody did in this A4 and they slid when the big pedal was pushed.

 

I had the same problem. I did not tinker with anything or have to take anything apart. I just pushed the coin tray down repeatedly, and the coins slipped and it shut. This ashtray problem and the e-brake hitting the center compartment are two poor design features on an otheriwse brilliantly designed interior.