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Outer Rubber Window Seal on new Q5

4444 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  rifleman
Would you good folk in this forum with the new style Q5 mind checking something for me please?

When you open and close your windows - can you check if the outer rubber window seal makes contact with the glass and clears any rain/ water on the glass when you then close the windows please?

3 out of my 4 of windows do clear the glass when the window is opened and closed, but on the Drivers Door the rubber does not make contact with the glass (except when fully closed) and when i open and close the window - any surface water is still there and would have to be removed by getting out of the car and wiping it off.

I did take it to my local Audi Garage and they said - "this is normal and within parameters - there is no requirement for the window seals to clear any water from the glass when opened and closed".

Given 3 out of my 4 windows do clear the glass, given my previous two old style Q5's cleared the glass, and given EVERY other car i have ever owned in the past 30 years have all cleared the glass - I am not convinced by Audi's denial that this is an issue.

Please let me know how you get on, thank you.
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Hi rifleman, are you talking about the rubber seal that sits next to the glass below the level of the rubber strip which sits above the satin metal finishing strip along the lower edge of the window ? When my window is closed I can see a gap of about 3mm between the outer rubber strip and the glass. ( I can bend it outwards with my finger ) But in that gap sitting below the level of the outer rubber is another seal which in my case is touching the glass. When I fully open the window then lift it a couple of inches and stop it, I can see the lower rubber bending around the glass providing a seal. If I open and close the window when it is misted over or wet, it clears it but not as clear as the windscreen wipers clear the glass. I’m left with streaks like I’ve wiped the glass with a damp sponge. Hope this info helps. Cheers.
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Hi Rifleman,

Neither of my front window seals will clear the windows if opened/closed ... the backs partially clear ...

Like you, my Mk I cleared all windows ...

Just another item on the list of niggles ...
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Just checked mine, all the rubbers sit against the windows and all windows clear of water when opened/closed.
Mexican built Q5 vs German. All the issues with the mk2 really put me off.

Touch wood, my 2 mth old german made A6 is behaving faultlessly.
Riffleman, I would ask Audi to replace the window seal FOC.
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I did ask if they would replace it and they said they would if I wanted - at cost as they stated there is nothing wrong with the seal and clearing moisture is not a listed feature or requirement - despite all 3 other windows clearing the glass of excess water / moisture but the drivers window does not.

from the replies above it seems a bit hit and miss and I would say this appears to be a fault, not just a missing feature.

I believe I can fix this my inserting some wire sleeve into the seal to form a filling in the sandwich which should push the rubber against the glass.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for all your responses.
The fact that all the others do it I would say its a fault & should be changed FOC.

I would simply mention safety risk due to your drivers window not clearing. And ask for it in writting. I'm sure they will do it asap!
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The fact that all the others do it I would say its a fault & should be changed FOC.

I would simply mention safety risk due to your drivers window not clearing. And ask for it in writting. I'm sure they will do it asap!
that's a very good point - I'll take it to a different Audi garage and see how i get on - and tell them i want it in writing like you said - that's a great idea thank you
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It really makes you wonder if it was a good move to farm out production away from Germany. Is the build quality of the Mk2 comparable with the Mk1 ? Having driven a Mk1 for a short while before getting delivery of my Mk2, I would say the Mk1 is or was a much better built car. Ok, I’m all for weight saving,better fuel economy blah blah blah. But when it compromises the overall quality feel of a car that is being sold for a lot more that the previous model and doesn’t feel prestige any more. Then Audi have a problem convincing customers this is a desirable car. Nice car to drive, great petrol engine, but the issues that have arisen since the introduction of the Mk2 must question the input of the research and development team along with the quality control procedures at the Mexico plant.
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that's a very good point - I'll take it to a different Audi garage and see how i get on - and tell them i want it in writing like you said - that's a great idea thank you
Hi Rifleman, how did you get on with this issue? I noticed when my Q5 was new in 2017 that after rain a lot of water drained from the bottom of both front doors when opened. I reported this to Audi at a service and they said there was no problem. I lived with it. However, lately I've noticed that it is worse and the rubber seals are crumbling so I now assume they never sealed properly. Like yours, they've never cleared the moisture/mist from the glass. I'm concerned that water may freeze inside the door in winter.
Hi Rifleman, how did you get on with this issue? I noticed when my Q5 was new in 2017 that after rain a lot of water drained from the bottom of both front doors when opened. I reported this to Audi at a service and they said there was no problem. I lived with it. However, lately I've noticed that it is worse and the rubber seals are crumbling so I now assume they never sealed properly. Like yours, they've never cleared the moisture/mist from the glass. I'm concerned that water may freeze inside the door in winter.
Hi Kev, to be honest - I never followed it up, but should have.

My car is in the garage next week - I'll add it to my list of "can you look at this please" and see what they say.

Well reminded.
I would be concerned that the doors may rot from the inside out.
Hi Kev, to be honest - I never followed it up, but should have.

My car is in the garage next week - I'll add it to my list of "can you look at this please" and see what they say.

Well reminded.
Hi Rifleman, I mentioned it at a recent service and the service manager said video it next time it happens. It's been relatively dry for a number of weeks now but I managed to video it the other day so will send it in to him. I'll let you know what they come back with.
I would be concerned that the doors may rot from the inside out.
Hi Missile, I'm also concerned the water may freeze and damage the doors!
I believe there may be drainage holes. You might want to check these are clear.
I believe there may be drainage holes. You might want to check these are clear.
I’ll have a look but it’s done it since new.
Hi Rifleman, I mentioned it at a recent service and the service manager said video it next time it happens. It's been relatively dry for a number of weeks now but I managed to video it the other day so will send it in to him. I'll let you know what they come back with.
Hey Kev,

How did you get on?

I must add - when I brought my car back the other week I did mention this to the Service Manager and he told me "this [not clearing the outside of the window] is by design" - and I asked why and he said because when the window is dirty or there is gravel or anything on the rubber seal - it can damage the window and leave a scratch mark when opening and closing.

I kind of bought this excuse, however - then I realised that my other 3 windows do clear moisture when they are opened - so this invalidated the reason he gave me for not clearing the moisture when opening the drivers window.

I do not believe this is 'by design', I believe it is 'by fault'. I'll chase it up this up on the next visit.
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Hi Rifleman,
I sent a video of the water running out of my doors to the service manager as requested. I got no reply for weeks so phoned him. He said he would check some Q5s outside the showroom after the next rain. That was weeks ago, we’ve had loads of rainy days but I’ve heard nothing. I’m away at the mo but will chase him up when I get back.
Btw, I agree with you, it is not ‘designed’ in, my rear windows clear the moisture perfectly.
I’ll post here if and when I get any response.
Kev
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Hi Rifleman,
I sent a video of the water running out of my doors to the service manager as requested. I got no reply for weeks so phoned him. He said he would check some Q5s outside the showroom after the next rain. That was weeks ago, we’ve had loads of rainy days but I’ve heard nothing. I’m away at the mo but will chase him up when I get back.
Btw, I agree with you, it is not ‘designed’ in, my rear windows clear the moisture perfectly.
I’ll post here if and when I get any response.
Kev
I never got to the bottom of this and my Q5 is just out of warranty now. Would be interesting to know what other owners experience here.
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