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I recently purchased a CPO 2024 with 6,500 miles. At delivery, I noticed corner of the leather dashboard was raised, combined with a few bubbles around the instrument cluster. It's not terribly noticeable but I can only imagine it getting worse over the next few years of my ownership.
I mentioned it to the dealership and they were great to set up a warranty replacement and arrange a date next week for the job.
I then came across the below photo on eBay of the dashboard. I was under the the impression that this was a separate leather cover but it appears this entire unit will be replaced, along with likely hundreds of associated sub-assembly parts.
It's now giving me a lot of hesitation that this may introduce squeaks or rattles into which would be far more unbearable than a few cosmetic dashboard issues.
Has anyone had their dashboard replaced at a dealership and can you let me know the outcome?
I'm trying to determine if there are any risks, either immediately or down the road of noises induced by this swap, which would be unbearable considering the car is not making any dashboard noises right now.
You are correct in being afraid, can you send a picture of the current issue?
I appreciate the feedback! Not exactly what I had hoped to hear especially after driving in complete silence today to double test there's no noises.
A few photos are below, it's definitely in early stages and I initially intended to send the photos simply for documentation, but the dealership jumped all over it, which was very amazing.
The car is black on black and probably sat in the sun for a while, it's down here in South Florida.
Although it initially caught my eye upon delivery, after I got the rest of the car dialed in, it doesn't bother me as much as I thought, but I'm also concerned about it getting worse over the years.
Under under my ownership, the vehicle will be garaged day and night and always use a sunshade.
I've seen much worse on the forums which is why I may be ok holding off for now even though they probably have the part in hand after special order. On the other hand, if they do the job properly, it would be superb to have a fresh perfect dashboard.
The dash will just keep getting worse. There is not much you can do besides let them change it. CPO does not cover rattles and squeaks, so make sure you are vocal about any noises immediately. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. VAG interiors are top notch IMO.
The dash will just keep getting worse. There is not much you can do besides let them change it. CPO does not cover rattles and squeaks, so make sure you are vocal about any noises immediately. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. VAG interiors are top notch IMO.
I agree and that's a good perspective. If
not now then very likely later when I'm short on factory warranty and perhaps into CPO.
Oh I did not put 2 and 2 together and realize you are still on factory warranty. I just saw the CPO. Factory warranty will for sure cover just about anything. Its CPO where they get tricky over trim, and noises that are not caused by failed components. Make sure to voice your concern about rattles and squeaks to your service advisor, and then dont take delivery of your car back if there are any anomalies. The thing is a lot of trim clips need to be replaced if they are damaged or worn. They make the clips in colors so you can see the plastic turn white when they are deformed and need to be replaced. If they are lazy and just slap it back together then it could make noises, but if they are careful like they should be you will be fine. I just took apart my center console to fix a broken ash tray cover and the clips had everything held in really tight compared to other cars I've worked on. The same ash tray was fixed under CPO two years ago when I purchased the car so I know its been apart before.
This is likely the first time anything will be apart since the factory, so another thing in your favor. I think you are worrying over nothing, just give them your car and let them fix it. For reference, my 2018 has 65K miles and the only rattles I had were the infamous sunroof squeak, which I had to fight to get them to cover under CPO, and a speaker rattle, which I fixed myself with some felt tape. Everything else is super solid compared to my other Japanese and Korean cars of similar age.
Oh I did not put 2 and 2 together and realize you are still on factory warranty. I just saw the CPO. Factory warranty will for sure cover just about anything. Its CPO where they get tricky over trim, and noises that are not caused by failed components. Make sure to voice your concern about rattles and squeaks to your service advisor, and then dont take delivery of your car back if there are any anomalies. The thing is a lot of trim clips need to be replaced if they are damaged or worn. They make the clips in colors so you can see the plastic turn white when they are deformed and need to be replaced. If they are lazy and just slap it back together then it could make noises, but if they are careful like they should be you will be fine. I just took apart my center console to fix a broken ash tray cover and the clips had everything held in really tight compared to other cars I've worked on. The same ash tray was fixed under CPO two years ago when I purchased the car so I know its been apart before.
This is likely the first time anything will be apart since the factory, so another thing in your favor. I think you are worrying over nothing, just give them your car and let them fix it. For reference, my 2018 has 65K miles and the only rattles I had were the infamous sunroof squeak, which I had to fight to get them to cover under CPO, and a speaker rattle, which I fixed myself with some felt tape. Everything else is super solid compared to my other Japanese and Korean cars of similar age.
I appreciate the vote of confidence! I fixed one rattle a few days ago stemming from the overhead consol. A panel right behind the rear view mirror. Some felt helped there and was an easy, non-invasive fix.
It's a real tough one, I have mate that works at Bentley, he pulls dashes off all the time, I have face-timed him a few times whilst he's been in the thick of it and I can't believe the crap he has everywhere! Trim all over the place, screws everywhere. I ask hoe the hell does he remember where everything goes when it's time to put it back.. He laughs and says, yeah, it's a worry when you have screws left over...
Can you swing by an upholsterer and see if they have any tricks to sort it in place? I would not tolerate that damage to the dash, so unfortunately you may have no choice.. but do it as a last resort, they will mess something up, scratch something etc.. Can you trade the car?
It's a real tough one, I have mate that works at Bentley, he pulls dashes off all the time, I have face-timed him a few times whilst he's been in the thick of it and I can't believe the crap he has everywhere! Trim all over the place, screws everywhere. I ask hoe the hell does he remember where everything goes when it's time to put it back.. He laughs and says, yeah, it's a worry when you have screws left over...
Can you swing by an upholsterer and see if they have any tricks to sort it in place? I would not tolerate that damage to the dash, so unfortunately you may have no choice.. but do it as a last resort, they will mess something up, scratch something etc.. Can you trade the car?
Sure, there is a lot that could go wrong but what I'm looking for are anecdotes on this vehicle to learn about actual results after a swap and if the dealer will address any potential issues after the fact. I'm assuming they will but it's nice to hear true stories from those who have had this done. I just bought the car a month ago so I certainly wouldn't trade it.
Just have them replace it now. It's going to get worse.
Thank you, and I will, I'm dropping it off on Tuesday. I spoke to the service advisor who's been with the dealer for 37 years and he said they do them all the time and rarely have issues. If there is an issue, they will address it immediarely. That reassurance helped with my worries for now.
Thank you, and I will, I'm dropping it off on Tuesday. I spoke to the service advisor who's been with the dealer for 37 years and he said they do them all the time and rarely have issues. If there is an issue, they will address it immediarely. That reassurance helped with my worries for now.
Will definitely get worse over time, especially with the climate you live in.
Porsche techs are generally REALLY good at replacing following factory instructions. There is really no way to do this job wrong if they are following the instructions.
Yes there are lots of steps and parts to be taken apart, but it was all documented by Porsche engineers who are the best in the entire industry. These cars are also designed to be repaired - screws, pins and retainers are used instead of cheap metal speed clips and tape and glue like you might see on most American cars.
As mentioned, CPO won't cover cosmetic or any rattles. So get it done as early as possible and wait to see if anything goes wrong. Before end of factory warranty, get it fixed if any rattles appear.
I'd say you have at least a 99% chance of having a perfect dashboard by the time they're done, with no rattles or anything.
Will definitely get worse over time, especially with the climate you live in.
Porsche techs are generally REALLY good at replacing following factory instructions. There is really no way to do this job wrong if they are following the instructions.
Yes there are lots of steps and parts to be taken apart, but it was all documented by Porsche engineers who are the best in the entire industry. These cars are also designed to be repaired - screws, pins and retainers are used instead of cheap metal speed clips and tape and glue like you might see on most American cars.
As mentioned, CPO won't cover cosmetic or any rattles. So get it done as early as possible and wait to see if anything goes wrong. Before end of factory warranty, get it fixed if any rattles appear.
I'd say you have at least a 99% chance of having a perfect dashboard by the time they're done, with no rattles or anything.
I got the car back today after a week and a half at the dealer. After an initial drive, no noises and the work appears to have been done cleanly with no immediate collateral damage to any other interior parts.
Almost immediately, I noticed those same leather bubbles just behind/above the cluster, per the second photo in post #3. That had me worried, but I then realized it was the same piece that was moved from the old dash. Looking at the below photo, the entire section is a panel, and I do not have HUD so its a smooth leather piece that appears to simply snap in and out.
I found it in a parts diagram and I'll see if the dealer can provide me with a new one under warranty. I am happy to install it to keep custody of the car. Fingers crossed that nothing else comes up, but I am very pleased so far even though they should have ordred that panel, its not that noticeable.
Great news! It's such a shame they do all that work and leave the last bit out...Baffles me that know one bothers to look and realise why they were doing the replacement in the first place. They should get you the part, but at least as a worst case, it's a cheap part.
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Dashboard Replacement Experience
