Okay, in order to save my 15-day-old son from baths in 1,000 SPF sunscreen, I felt compelled to drop the $130.65 ($123.25 + 6% MI tax) for the Audi Accessory Rear Pass Sunshades. Are there other avenues you can take to save your little ones? Of course. There's a Babies-R-Us "money vacuum" in every city across our great country. However, I just couldn't continue to be the super cool guy that I am in my car with "Winnie the Pooh" plastered in the rear windows. It also gave me the chance to spend some quality time at my dealer inspecting the new A8 and Cayenne while waiting for the dealer's lethargic parts crew. And whaddya know, the A8 comes with rear pass shades already! Hmmph!

Well, to keep another $100 in my pocket to blow on more car stuff, uh, I mean stuff for the baby, I decided to undertake the project myself. Hopefully, by my experience, detailed instructions and fine digital pictures, you'll gain the confidence needed for this DIY project!

Audi has two (2) part numbers for the shades - Sedan vs. Avant. Be sure to confirm. My write-up would have been a week earlier if I had.

Sedan: #4B0064362
Avant: #4B9064362

DISCLAIMER: Don't go any further if you intend to send me hate mail. Don't blame me if you eff it up!

Now, let's take a look at the kit contents:

(2) side shades (L/R specific) (est. $10 each)
(4) shade post door inserts (est. $0.01 ea.)
(4) shade hook clips w/adhesive backing (est. $0.02 ea.)
(4) shade hook clip screws (est. $0.005 ea.)
(1) page of the ****tiest instructions I've ever seen. No words, just 2nd grade illustrations. (free with purchase)

Total estimated cost = $20.14 + $103.11 markup.

All kidding aside, the shades are actually very well constructed. The metal units are weighty and have a nice finish and definitely don't stand out as "add on", especially in a black interior.

Pay special attention to the two (2) small silver posts on the bottom of each unit. These posts slide (with some effort) fore/aft about 2-3". This helps greatly with the final positioning of the shade.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/a._shade_contents.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/b._shade_fasteners.jpg">

The first step is to adjust your lock/unlock pin in the door. You will notice on the underside of the shade units that there is a slight contour in the plastic end-caps. If your shade is placed correctly, it will match the contour of the door panel and actually end up covering the lock pin and its bezel.

With the pin in the unlock position (about 1/2" proud of the door), twist it 180 degrees (I used needle-nosed vice grips). Now lock the door and push the pin down into the bezel with needle-nose pliers. Now unlock the door. The pin should now be about 1/16" - 1/8" proud of the bezel. This way, when you unlock the door with the shade installed, the pin won't interfere with the underside of the shade.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/c._pin_position_-_locked.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/d._pin_position_locked.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/e._pin_position_open.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/f._pin_position_-_open.jpg">

Next, you need to mark the front and rear pin holes. My useless directions showed the coordinates for the front hole -- 95mm from window frame rearward &amp; 37mm from ?? inboard. For the 37mm, they either want you to measure from the glass inboard, or from the edge of the door panel inboard. I opted for the latter. A small portion of the bezel still shows from underneath the installed shade. I probably could've come a little farther inboard.

The 95mm measurement isn't so critical. Again, the shades have moveable posts to allow fore/aft movement, so your distance from the window frame rearward doesn't have to be exact.

NOTE: DIMENSIONS ARE DIFFERENT FOR SEDAN!!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/g._front_shade_post_location.jpg">

The rear hole coordinate is 30mm inboard from the door trim edge (??) and roughly 650mm from the front hole. As with the front hole, the inboard measurement for the rear hole is tricky. The directions aren't clear where to measure from. Good eyeballs are a plus.

NOTE: DIMENSIONS ARE DIFFERENT FOR SEDAN!!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/h._rear_shade_post_location.jpg">

With a 3mm bit, drill your front and rear starter holes. Only go 15mm deep. Who knows what you'll chew up if you go any deeper. Whatever it is, I'm sure warranty doesn't cover it.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/i._3mm_starter_with_15mm_guide.jpg">

Now follow the 3mm starting hole with an 8.5mm finishing hole. Again, no more than 15mm deep.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/j._8.5mm_finisher_with_15mm_guide.jpg">

The skin on the door panel may look a little chewed up when you're done. No prob. You won't see it.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/k_8.5_mm_hole.jpg">

Next, pinch a shade post door insert and insert one in each 8.5mm hole. Push them as far down as they'll go. I gave each a little tap with a hammer until they were fully inserted. You should have a good, tight fit.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/l._shade_post_fastener.jpg">

Now you are ready to place your shade. Adjust the silver posts as necessary and push the shade into the post holes. It takes a little effort.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/m._shade_installed.jpg">

If you installed it right, your shade end caps should follow the contour of the door trim. My front one is a little off. I may make another front hole, move the silver shade pin about 1/2" fore/aft and reinstall. I haven't decided yet.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/n._shade_front_position.jpg">

This one looks more like it.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/o._shade_rear_position.jpg">

One drawback in the design is this foam closeout. The flash on my camera really accentuates it. However, you can't really see it in normal light.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/p._shade_foam_closeout.jpg">

The last step is to install the shade hook clips at the top of the window frame. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic and this one doesn't show it too well.

With the shade retracted, hook one clip to each side of the shade screen making sure the hook slot opening faces away from the window. Peel the adhesive backing off each hook and extend the shade. Stick the hooks on the top of the window frame. Eyeball the placement. Unhook the shade and install the teeny, tiny, itzy, bitzy phillips head screws to secure these hooks.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/q._shade_up_inside.jpg">

Ta-Da!!! Now, go get a beer, repeat for the other side, or call the dealer and schedule the install. Good luck!
NOTE: My shades tightened up today once the sun started beating down on them.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45556/r._shade_up_outside.jpg">

Ciao,

Matt

 

When the screen is extended, it looks a little baggy in your picture. Is that just the angle of the photo, or is it all puckered like that?

 

The flash accentuates it. It tightened up for me in the sun today.

 

I got your check this evening, I'm gonna try to ship it out tommorow!

 

About high thick/high is the shade -- up from the doorsill? In your last picture, it looks pretty noticable from the outside. Are they obtrusive at all to adult rear passengers?

I have a sedan and have been considering the rear shade, but have all but decided to pass on the side ones for this reason... thoughts? (if it weren't for the overriding need b/c of your son -- Congrats BTW!

I don't suppose they're intended to be removed as needed, are they? It sounds like once the posts are snapped into the receptacles/holders, they meant to stay there...

Thanks again for taking the time to post.

 

Drilling=scary, for me anyway!

 

This belongs to the A6 links!! Thanks!

 

I nominate for Stoney's FAQ.

 

We only have one munchkin and she resides on the passenger side. so I really only want to do a shade on that side. If anyone wants just a driver's side let me know
BTW- for the allroad, so I'm looking for an allroad, avant volunteer.


.

 

No. Definitely not. They are very compact. The perforated screen itself is very thin and sits about 1" or so away from the window.

As far as removal . . . no they are not meant to be taken on/off frequently. But they DON'T snap into the door. Its just a really tight fit between the silver pin and the pin holder. I imagine they'll come out without too much effort if you wanted to clean them or the door trim.

Thanks for the congrats! Yeah, he's a handful right now but WELL worth the effort!!!!

Take care.

Matt