touareg torch/general cigarette lighter fitment issue confirmed
 

as the photo illustrates, audi apparently used two cigarette lighter assemblies for u.s.-bound cars. in particular, the one on the left (p/n 8N0 857 951 6PS) came with my car, and the one on the right (p/n 8N0 857 951 A 6PS) was just purchased a few days ago -- note that the black ring inside of the red ring is noticeably thicker in the revised assembly (one would guess the original assembly was euro fitment).

the touareg torch fits the revised assembly perfectly, but is dreadfully loose in the original assembly. other than this change, the assembly appears identical[1] -- which is unfortunate because the changed 50-cent part cannot be bought separately and the assembly lists for $185. of course, there are shims to convert between euro and u.s. fitments available at most auto parts stores, but i don't know if they'll resolve things entirely (in my case, i couldn't even get an electrical connection).

hope this helps others annoyed by this issue.

<img src="http://m3.mayzurk.com/meem/tt/parts/cigdiffs.jpg">

[1] one other difference is visible: the press-to-open strip on the outside is shiny black on the new one, and matte black on the original.

now all you need is a carton of cigs to test it ;)

;-) this has really been bothering me for a while, mainly because i can't use a battery tender ...
 

when i go away on long trips, so i always have to come back to a dead battery. i'm glad to see it's audi's mistake and not mine, especially after the amount of time i put into trying to make the original assembly work.

yeah...my cigarette lighter is useless too...
 

anything i plug into it just falls right out. crap i tell ya!

this is good info to know

so THATS why my plug always falls out

I guess this was a pre 2002 problem? Mine fits everything I've ever stuck in it.

never noticed, I always have someting else stuck in it. the lighter in the gloove box.

Mine's the same way ... some stuff works, but not all. :^/

My 2001seems to work just fine for any items I plug in to it. But Audi seems to have very
 

"grey" cutover periods where different parts are used on cars built next to each other...

I actually have a very early MY 2002 production car. My build date is August 2001 FWIW...