Redd

Just thought I'd share this. A bit over a year ago, I bought a plastic bumper protection film and put it on my car. Genuine Audi, although not bought from a dealer. Apparently there's only a one-year warranty unless you have bought it from a dealer and had the install it.

And wouldn't you know, the plastic film (which is a typical plastic "paint protection" film) became permeated with what appears to be mildew. Black/gray mottling actually IN the plastic that wouldn't clean off no matter what.

In contrast, my 3M paint protection on the nose of the car looks the same as it did brand new. Both have been exposed to the same weather, same wax, same everything. Except...

Stuff is a real PITA to peel off, too. It does peel, but also peels apart and requires a LOT of picking and solvent to de-gum it all off.

Caveat emptor, apparently Audi's plastic films are simply unsuited to the job, and they're not really upset about that. Twelve months, period, tfb for the customer that it wasn't installed by a dealer.

Q5 Bob

Any idea who makes the film for them? Maybe they can help with questions /concerns.

Redd

No idea. That would be proprietary (and rightly so) to Audi. But someone obviously chose the wrong material, and didn't bother to follow up on how it lasts. Or fails to.

Of course it is possible that this was counterfeit goods...that applies to almost anything these days. From the packaging though, I'd fairly sure it was genuine. And from Audi's lack of concern, I suspect they've heard similar complaints before.

Q5 Bob

It's unfortunate that Audi won't help you out, but understandable since you didn't buy it from them. Will you replace the film with something else?

Barraged

Don't bother with any protective film... I located a great rear top bumper protector from NGP Racing... It is a custom molded ABS PIECE THAT FITS PERFECTLY... it is attached with adhesive tape pre-installed and includes a solvent to clean the area prior to install. It looks great... More than fully satisfied with it... Matte black.

Redd

Bob-
Audi sells the same part, but warranties it differently depending on who installed it. Which makes no real sense at all, either the plastic mildews, or it doesn't, and installation can't affect that. Many reputable companies would be concerned that their material is not holding up, that the product is failing, and if it was a month or two after warranty...they wouldn't care anyway, they'd try to improve their quality and reputation.

Barraged-
If it is discrete (no gaudy racing decals) and reasonably priced, I'll look into it. But my 3M installer will gladly give me a 6"x60" piece of scrap from another larger job, free, which will also do the job very nicely. And invisibly. (I'm not dragging steamer trunks in and out, just stuff that might scratch up the bumper.)

Got a URL for NG Racing? (Sad choice of name, "NG" means "No good" in Colonial English.(G)

Barraged

Here is the info from my invoice...

Product Quantity Unit price Tax Subtotal
Rearguards by RGM - Q5 Audi
Code: RBP475

Options: RGM Rearguard color: BlackProduct Quantity Unit price Tax Subtotal
Rearguards by RGM - Q5 Audi
Code: RBP475

Options: RGM Rearguard color: Black

The website is NGP Racing...don't have the URL, sorry...

Barraged

FOUND IT..

https://www.ngpracing.com/newstore/r...#/product/7393

NO LOGOS...highly recommend it...

Redd

Thanks!

Barraged

I installed it because my German Shepherd is a frequent traveler... His nails haven't even left a mark, and I've had it installed for about 4 months...really does look like a factory option...the Audi guys at my dealer also wanted to find out where they could order them...

The price seemed very reasonable...$110, plus shipping... Total was about $130... Let me know if you order one and what your opinion is of it...