View Full Version : OEM S4 Rubber Mats or All Weather Mats?
rx7ven
12-02-2011, 11:43 AM
rainy season is coming so i need to replace the oem carpets with rubber mats. should i go with the OEM s4 mats or the weather tech all weather mats? any difference? i dont want the digital floor liners.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-Quattro-3.0T/Interior/Floor_Mats/Rubber_Mats/ES2497549/
or
http://www.weathertech.com/audi/2011/a4-s4-rs4/floor-mats-all-weather/bodystyle/sedan/
ECS Tuning-Audi
12-02-2011, 12:05 PM
Cant go wrong with OEM! The deep ridges really hold a lot of dirt and debris. I have the OEM rubber Sport mats in my B5 and I love them!
Jason
geektoad
12-02-2011, 12:52 PM
Nice unbiased response from the guy selling the the OEMs. :)
The problem with the OEMs is that there's no lip on the fronts at all. Crap will run down those grooves and get all over the back of the carpet, and you'll end up with crap around the edges as well.
The weather techs you posted are better due to having an ok lip all around, they're similar to the Monster mats VW uses. However, you will still end up with a ring of crap around the edges with those. I had the monster mats in my sportwagen and I wish i'd changed them for weathertech digital fits.
The ultimate protection are the Weathertech Digital-Fit. 3 inch lip all the way around and they fit super well. I've had them in every car i've owned over the last 5 years other than the Jetta, and me set for the S4 should delivered on monday. I can pics when i put them in if you want, though the pics on the site are very good as well.
http://www.weathertech.com/audi/2011/a4-s4-rs4/floorliner-digitalfit/bodystyle/sedan/
Pato610
12-02-2011, 01:05 PM
I went with the digital fit, and they are exceptional. Much better than the OEM mats I had on my B7, fwiw
pyknosis
12-02-2011, 01:51 PM
I had the OEM ones for a while last winter, got rid of them pretty quick though. They can hold a lot of debris/melt water, but I noticed when I took them out to rinse them off the first time that there was some spillage. Got the weathertech's and never looked back. They hold everything, no spillage. The only thing is they are a little hardon the heel for long drives and since they're not as deeply grooved your feet are kind of sitting in whatever they caught.
Edit: Forgot to make it clear that I'm using the 3D Fit WeatherTech mats.
showcarmike
12-02-2011, 02:00 PM
in my opinion, if you go with the weather tech brand, go for the digital fit ones.
b6bydesign04
12-02-2011, 02:09 PM
I went with the digital fit, and they are exceptional. Much better than the OEM mats I had on my B7, fwiw
+1
BLACKS4-10
12-02-2011, 05:36 PM
I have the front OEM S4 mats and like them.Soft,pliable,easy to clean and never had issues of spillage even with heavy snow.
roho3323
12-02-2011, 05:50 PM
I went with the digital fit, and they are exceptional. Much better than the OEM mats I had on my B7, fwiw
+3 Just got mine last week and I simply cant believe how perfect they fit...better than OEM as it covers your entire carpet and the sides of the ridge (about 3 inches high). It's more of a liner than a floor mat but that is okay by me for winter and you can fill a gallon of water and nothing will touch your carpet. Best $169 I have ever spent (fronts and rears). I will post some pics in a couple of days if people are interested. Be
tomh009
12-02-2011, 06:23 PM
I have the front OEM S4 mats and like them.Soft,pliable,easy to clean and never had issues of spillage even with heavy snow.
Same here. I prefer to have the ridges keeping my feet off the slush or melted snow.
Weathertechs do cover more, true, but not 100% so the car will still need a carpet cleaning in the spring anyway. And I don't want to keep my feet in a gallon of water.
Clearly two different schools of thought on this!
shookatash
12-02-2011, 10:48 PM
i got the weathertech digital fit mats for my car. They are thinner than the OEM ones, but definitely don't wear out as quickly, if at all. One thing I did notice about my digital fits is they the sides do sag so over time they may just lean in. I also opted for the trunk mat for weathertech. i would advise against this as it does not have the cut outs for the cargo mat hooks. For the same price, go for the oem trunk mat.
audisarecool
12-03-2011, 08:01 AM
I use the OEM rubber mats, no complaints.. although I'm yet to experience a winter in them.
geektoad
12-03-2011, 12:33 PM
My weathertech digital fit mats arrived today. Awesome as always!
svander
12-03-2011, 12:39 PM
OEM or bust. I use the OEM S4 rubber ones year round. They do a great job at keeping the carpet intact.
IvanS4
12-03-2011, 05:47 PM
I have the Weathertech digital fits in the B8 S4, had OEMs in my B5 S4 and OEMs in the MKIV Jetta. None of them are bad - if you care more about your carpets, go with the digital fit. If you care more about comfort, go with the OEMs.
For the trunk, I recommend the OEM cargo liner w/ cargo-logic blocks to keep loads from moving. It has a rubberized backing and carpet on top. http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ZAW380409/ES473404/ - it's freaking impossible to find under either an A4 or S4 listing but it fits perfectly.
http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/180160_x600.jpg
geektoad
12-03-2011, 06:00 PM
For the trunk, I recommend the OEM cargo liner w/ cargo-logic blocks to keep loads from moving. It has a rubberized backing and carpet on top. http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ZAW380409/ES473404/ - it's freaking impossible to find under either an A4 or S4 listing but it fits perfectly.
Very good call. I had this setup in the back of the Sportwagen. Those blocks (aka the Luggage LEGOs) are awesome. So awesome in fact, that my wife stole them for her car when i traded the sportwagen in.
teutonictrim
12-03-2011, 07:44 PM
I just ordered the digital fit mats from WeatherTech before reading this thread but it sounds like I made a good call. That said, everything is a compromise when the dark days of winter come...
Ciscokidz
12-03-2011, 10:03 PM
+1 on Weathertech digital liners, now in all my cars and made in USA. No better protection out there and perfect fit. Only downside is slightly slick, harder material, but minor issue compared to their bulletproof protection. Oh and did I mention made in US?
i got the weathertech digital fit mats for my car. They are thinner than the OEM ones, but definitely don't wear out as quickly, if at all. One thing I did notice about my digital fits is they the sides do sag so over time they may just lean in. I also opted for the trunk mat for weathertech. i would advise against this as it does not have the cut outs for the cargo mat hooks. For the same price, go for the oem trunk mat.
The cut out's are there, should you choose to actually cut them out yourself for the tie down hooks. Used an exacto knife to do the job.
redrocker55
12-04-2011, 05:02 AM
My digital fit weather techs showed up this week. They look fantastic. Test fit says they fit amazingly tight.
I have the weather tech trunk mat and it takes a beating and still looks fantastic. You have the option of cutting out for the hooks or not which is a nice option. I choose to cut out thinking I would use the tie down hooks but I have not had a use for them yet...should have left them covered.
tomh009
12-04-2011, 05:14 AM
I have the weather tech trunk mat and it takes a beating and still looks fantastic. You have the option of cutting out for the hooks or not which is a nice option. I choose to cut out thinking I would use the tie down hooks but I have not had a use for them yet...should have left them covered.
Doesn't the B8 come with a cargo net (which hooks onto the tie-downs)?
(My car is still en route so not easy to check!(
IvanS4
12-04-2011, 05:54 AM
Doesn't the B8 come with a cargo net (which hooks onto the tie-downs)?
(My car is still en route so not easy to check!(
Yep - it definitely does come with a high quality cargo net, which does hook into the tie downs. I chose to go with the cargo mat above so that I wouldn't worry about staining the trunk carpet when I transport stuff from home depot, etc.
tomh009
12-04-2011, 06:54 AM
Yep - it definitely does come with a high quality cargo net, which does hook into the tie downs. I chose to go with the cargo mat above so that I wouldn't worry about staining the trunk carpet when I transport stuff from home depot, etc.
But with cutouts, you could use both at the same time, right?
IvanS4
12-04-2011, 07:19 AM
But with cutouts, you could use both at the same time, right?
Definitely. The cargo mat I've got allows for both and so would anything with cutouts such as the Weathertech.
MayorAdamWest
12-04-2011, 09:21 AM
Does anyone happen to know if there is something like the weather tech that covers the entire floor in the back seat, and not just the wheel well?
AUDI A5
12-04-2011, 10:51 AM
Weather tech Digital Fit. The best product on the market IMO. Have had them in every car, truck and SUV including the cargo/trunk. Never a problem, easy to clean, and exact fit every time.
omegax
12-04-2011, 06:11 PM
I just put in some weather tech mats into my s4 and my wife's maxima. I dont know how they are but the fit is perfect.
vincent9993
12-04-2011, 06:20 PM
http://www.debrouillard.ca/ph/audi/audi2011/pedals/DSC_9276.JPG
My vote to Weathertech digitalfit as well.
geektoad
12-05-2011, 04:33 AM
^ what's that Audi logo on yours? I always pull the Weathertech logo off of mine, but that's a nice filler in the space!
pyknosis
12-05-2011, 02:18 PM
My digital fit weather techs showed up this week. They look fantastic. Test fit says they fit amazingly tight.
I have the weather tech trunk mat and it takes a beating and still looks fantastic. You have the option of cutting out for the hooks or not which is a nice option. I choose to cut out thinking I would use the tie down hooks but I have not had a use for them yet...should have left them covered.
I have the same mat, but I didn't cut the "cut outs" completely. I made a three sided slit so there's just enough room to slide the clip for the net under without really exposing things too much.
I have the same mat, but I didn't cut the "cut outs" completely. I made a three sided slit so there's just enough room to slide the clip for the net under without really exposing things too much.
Same done here.
Sepangs4
12-05-2011, 04:05 PM
I like the OEM because even though I want protection I want the car looking nice and a nice "feel" in the mats - the OEM's accomplish both. I get comments all the time about how stylish they are. They can stay in year round and have a perfect fit and finish. I dont want my car apparing to be sealed in plastic...lol
svander
12-05-2011, 04:32 PM
it's freaking impossible to find under either an A4 or S4 listing but it fits perfectly.
http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/180160_x600.jpg
I've been looking for this since April.
Thanks!
tomh009
12-05-2011, 04:48 PM
That mat is nice ... but it would be even nicer if it only had the cut-outs for the tie-down loops.
geektoad
12-05-2011, 05:45 PM
I like the OEM because even though I want protection I want the car looking nice and a nice "feel" in the mats - the OEM's accomplish both. I get comments all the time about how stylish they are. They can stay in year round and have a perfect fit and finish. I dont want my car apparing to be sealed in plastic...lol
Live somewhere that actually has snow and salt and tell me how well the OEMs protect. I'm glad they work for you down in the south :)
tomh009
12-05-2011, 05:53 PM
Live somewhere that actually has snow and salt and tell me how well the OEMs protect. I'm glad they work for you down in the south :)
Does Canada count for that?
Have always used OEM mats, and will continue to do so. Yes, there will be salt residue on the sides, above the mats, but it comes off with the spring carpet shampoo. And the Weathertechs don't completely prevent salt, either, they just reduce it.
The "feel" of the OEMs is better, as Sepangs4 says, and they keep your shoes out of the slush. They do look better, too, in my eyes. But the deeper grooves for the slush are the key for me, and until Weathertech (or someone else) does that, I'll stick with OEM mats.
svander
12-05-2011, 06:07 PM
That mat is nice ... but it would be even nicer if it only had the cut-outs for the tie-down loops.
Looks like it does... the shape of it would lead me to believe the loops are unrestricted by it...
rx7ven
12-06-2011, 10:12 AM
thanks for everyone's responses. i know everyone likes the digital fit but its not for me. the digital fit, to me looks like a tray more than a mat. in additional, i live in san francisco where it doesn't snow. i just don't want to be stepping on the carpets when it starts raining.
Rev Motoring
02-13-2016, 10:08 PM
This is our version of the all-weather mat. Designed specifically for Audi floor plans this mat has deep channels + a raised edge to keep your feet out of liquid or debris.
Product Link (http://www.revmotoring.com/new-products-1/floor-mats-b8-2009-2015-a4-s4-rs4)
http://i.imgur.com/UuuEs4r.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/dIzm8vu.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/EVx4QQA.jpg?1