Hello All!

Just got my 2005 A6 4.2 and have been driving for a couple of days. It had around 15k miles on it already but otherwise in mint condition.

Yesterday noticed a very strange thing that I didn't notice before.

The car has been standing outside the whole day at around -4 C. In the evening decided to take it out for a spin. Got in, started driving (the car being still 'cold' inside). No significant inside interior noise yet. Stopped to put in some gas. Drove off the gas station and was driving on the road which is just a little rough. I wouldn't call it bumpy, it was just a patch of uneven pavement just like ripples on the beach sand.

And at this very moment i heard absolutely terrible "plastic rattle" from what seemed everywhere. Especially it was strong from overhead console and front area right below the windshield. It's like it felt every ripple under the wheel and it wasn't that loud but it came from everywhere as if the interior is falling apart.

Now is the most curious part. This happened when the car warmed up just a little bit to around 3-7 C inside. In around 2 min of driving the interior warmed up a little more and all this noise suddenly disappeared!!! I drove for another hour and there were no suspicious noise whatsoever.

Another thing - I have 18 inch alloy wheels and NO sport suspension. The ride is still pretty hard compared to the Chrysler that I had previously, but to all those that choosing regular vs sports suspension and live in NYC or close to it some advise - DO NOT install sport suspension, and even go with regular wheels if you don't mind.

Can anyone tell me what this noise is all about. I am scared a little here - having paid some money for the car this is really not what I expected. Never had this problem with my cheapy chrysler ever.

I test drove the car twice before I bought it - didn't hear this noise. It was kept in the garage though... Never out in the cold - may be that is why...

May be the plastic / wood that the interior is made of gets 'squeaky' at certain temperature? Does this happen to anyone else? Is this normal?

May be previous owner was driving on rough roads a lot and got it all loosen up?

One friend of mine - proud Honda Accord owner has similar experience with his interior. Is it common?

Great car otherwise. Everything seem to work ok.

P.S.: If anyone knows any postings / articles / links on the subj, pls post them here in reply.

 

The car is still under warranty so they should take of it

In my experience noises in the interior of the car are really hard to find and couldnt help you if i cant drive the car

 

I've got a 2008 RS4. Same issues, mostly with plastic squeaking around the center console. Worse at different temperatures. No warranty after the first year any more on "adjustments". I've bought some Dow based lubricant and am searching the web for disassembly instructions. I've previously used silicone based lubricants which you are apparently not supposed to use.

 

What is DOW based lubricant??

DOW chemical is a company that makes hundreds of products. About 1/4 of them are some type of lubricant. They range from silicons to petrolium based products and even molly stuff.

 

I lived through the same rattles when I purchased my 05 a little more than 5 years ago. Below is a list of links to TSBs issued by Audi to address the common interior rattles in an 05. The good news is that after following the TSBs all of the rattles in my car disappeared.

http://www.uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Dashb...eld%20Area.pdf

http://www.uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Front...0to%20open.pdf

http://www.uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Noise...%20console.pdf

http://www.uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Noise...ard%20area.pdf

http://www.uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Rattl...0headrests.pdf

http://www.uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Sunroof%20rattle.pdf