Alcantara Headliner Install

[toecutter]

I had the headliner in my original order but when a car came available with everything I wanted but the headliner, I took it. Still, I wanted the alcantara headliner so I talked to Rich at OEMplus and soon a big box was in my garage.

Closest Audi Tech for me is 2.5 hours away and I had done interiors before so it couldn't be that hard? Could it?

First step was to get the needed tools. I had an interior tool but went ahead and ordered a whole set from JCWhitney. Still, I only need one of the tools. You also need a metric small socket set and a torx set.

First pull the pillar pieces out. They come easily with the plastic knife. Front requires twisting out the speaker. Rear in the US car has the net holder that uses a socket to unscrew.

Next, the light console is removed. Push on the front portion toward the rear view mirror. There are two clips. The sun shades have a cover that comes out and torx screws below.

I could not get the microphone to budge and I could feel that it was attached only to the front light console. I went ahead and slowly worked the old liner down. Two torx screws in the front and two in the rear. There are two clips mid door on both sides and a middle clip/knob in the back that broke when I brought mine down. The new headliner has a new one so no problem. Also, It is a good idea to remove the plastic bridge off the rear view mirror, as mine took the whole unit down when the liner came off. No damage luckily.

Once the liner was down, I was able to lift out the microphone from the back.

Now, how to get the thing out. It does come out but you need to remove the weather striping on the passenger side and it barely will fit. Seats need to go all the way back and down. At one point during the removal, I had to put a slight bend to get by some of the attached plastic to the top of the headliner. Also be careful of the interior. It is really easy to put a nick in the dashboard. New headliner goes back in through same area.

I kept it in the plastic to protect the edges. Once back in, I found out two things that I hadn't noticed. I had opted for the European headliner so there were not the multiple warning stickers on the sun shades. There was no hole for the microphone nor are there the holes on the rear pillars for the net holders. The main headliner said USA and the pillar parts and sunshades said RDW. In any case, both need to be cut out by hand. I used an utility knife and made templates from the old headliner pieces. Not hard, just be careful and work slowly. (There is an extra clip on the rear pillar on the EUR version that I did not use when I cut the hole for the net screw)

Everything pushes back up in place. Be sure to get the window molding back in place and above the liner. Console and microphone push back and sun shades screw back in. Pillars went back without problems. Watch the clips, they will try to bend away from the hole.

I was very happy with the finished product. Took about 3 hours to do without breaks. About an hour of that was trying to figure out how to get the old headliner out. I did put a small nick in the drivers side dashboard with the old headliner that I was able to repair with a fabric repair kit. Kudos to Rich and the OEMplus team for getting me the kit and great communication.

Some pics are below. Full Gallery @: http://gallery.me.com/clarallen#100064

[R84ME]

Man, how nice does that look! We're getting a great collection of "how to" articles on this forum.

[harrison]

Looks like you could have used a little assistance on such a big peice ! Nice work !

[ianerrid]

I am so glad I went for the Alcantara headliner as it is SO much nicer than the stock material and I went for a lighter colour to brighten the interior a bit. I was thinking of going for the leather headliner next when I get bored - thanks for the excellent how-to !!

[toecutter]

I really wish I could have had this option to start with. It is 3 to 4 times the cost after the fact. I do think it "makes" the inside. To echo others, I don't know why the alcantara seats are the basic interior option. Audi could have done an uplevel alcantara package with inserts on the doors and even dash.

[R84ME]

I ordered the alcantara headliner after seeing in on a RS6 a long time ago. Besides looking good, it's great at dampening sound. Quiet as a tomb.

[toecutter]

Having had both the cloth and alcantara headliner in the same car, I can tell you there is a difference. The acoustics of the cabin are different. Radio Bass is a bit more noticeable and I think the engine noise is actually different. People say I also sound different when talking on the bluetooth.

[Whirlinturbin]

My dealer says the headliner is $2,500, post-factory. I can't find it on OEM.plus. Do you mind sharing with me the retail price? Thank you!

[toecutter]

I found it on their site under R8/Interior/Headliner. The current price is $3725. That is more than I paid and it appears they have had a price increase. Note that the kit comes with the pillars and you can get the European visors without all the airbag sticker mess.

[gsmps]

That’s a crazy high price to pay for a synthetic material. I am just going to pull my headliner out along with some other pieces and get everything professionally wrapped in Alcantara. Will be a fraction of the price