pics and a question added to original post, bump

 

looks like brake dust to me in the frist pic and not sure on the 2nd. About the striker, dont have a problem with mine or intentions of swapping

 

hmmm, wheel well area is definitely bubbley/rusty, and that joining section is rust too. I suppose I could sand them out and seal them and do some aftermarket skirts or paint them. I am just concerned that there is water getting in somewhere it shouldnt, I will ask the shop when I take it in a week or two for maint (haldex,plugs, hopefully my dogbones will be in by then too, car also needs brake fluid, tranny fluid, and differential fluids :-P)

 

Are any other areas prone to rust in the tt? I plan on keeping my as a collector car and only drive it 1 to 2 days a week, but sometimes those days are in the snow (ugh). Once a car starts to rust, you cant stop it.

 

I dont know, but my impression is that audis treatment is very intense as far as preventing rust. This car is an 01 with 84k miles, and a new england year round car, so some rust inside the wheel wellisnt outside the realm of possibility. My area of rust is like 3" so I think is treatable, if not then I will have to swap out skirts and fenders.