Oh man, I totally feel u on this. I was sooo excited when I got my Sportback but literally the first week I noticed tiny scratches on that high-gloss area... honestly it was heartbreaking!! For your situation, I've tried a few things and had some mixed results tbh.

1. Audi Genuine Accessories Illuminated Door Sill Trims vs. Amazon cheapies: I first tried some random carbon fiber stickers from Amazon and they were basically trash. They looked super cheap and the adhesive started peeling after one car wash. I eventually bit the bullet and got the official Audi ones. They fit the curves PERFECTLY and the illumination is SO high-end. It actually looks like it belongs there, unlike the universal strips that kinda just sit on top.

2. WeatherTech Door Sill Protector: My buddy uses these and they're alright for protection, but ngl, they look a bit too "utility" for a luxury EV.

So basically, if u want it to look mint, go OEM even tho it's pricey. But yeah... anyway, good luck with the new ride! 👍

Honestly, you gotta be careful because cheap metal plates can actually scratch the paint if grit gets underneath! For a safety-first approach, I highkey recommend the XPEL Door Sill Guard Clear Paint Protection Film. It's thick, super reliable, and basically invisible so it doesn't mess with that premium Audi look. If you want something more solid, check out ZunSport Stainless Steel Door Sill Protectors—they're high-quality and wont interfere with the door seals like the bulky universal ones do. Just make sure the surface is 100% clean before installing so the adhesive actually stays put! 👍

Noted!

Yo! Honestly, check out Zunsport Stainless Steel Door Sill Protectors for a premium factory look vs. WeatherTech Door Sill Scuff Guards if ur prioritizing pure utility. Both fit the e-tron Sportback curves perfectly! 👍

Honestly, I'd actually suggest a different approach - I've tried those thick metal plates on past cars and they always end up trapping grit underneath, which actually causes MORE scratches on the paint over time. Not to mention, paying $200+ for the official Audi illuminated ones feels like a bit of a rip-off just to protect some plastic, you know?

In my experience, you're way better off going the PPF (Paint Protection Film) route. It's lowkey invisible, fits every curve of the Sportback perfectly because it's just a film, and it's literally a fraction of the cost. I've been using XPEL Ultimate Plus Paint Protection Film on my sills for over two years now and it's holding up like a champ.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly DIY setup, here's what I'd do:

* Grab a roll of 3M Scotchgard Clear Paint Protection Film 6-inch by 60-inch for about $25.
* Use a squeegee and some soapy water to apply it yourself.
* If you really want that "carbon" look without the $300 price tag, VViViD Epoxy High Gloss Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl is like $15 and looks surprisingly premium.

Basically, you save like $150 compared to the OEM plates and the protection is actually better because there's no gap for dirt to hide in. Plus, if it gets beat up, you just peel it off and stick a new piece on! Are you dead set on the hardware look, or would you consider a film? Cheers!

Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.

Ok so, late to the party here but I’ve had my Sportback for about a year and a half now and honestly, the door sill struggle is real. I went through a whole saga of trying to find the "perfect" balance between looking factory and actually doing the job. After living with it through a couple of seasons, here’s what I’ve learned from my experience: * My first attempt was way too bulky—I could actually hear it catching the bottom of the door seal whenever it was humid, which was super annoying and probably not great for the rubber.
* I realized that those high-gloss bits get micro-scratches just from dust and grit alone, even if people are being careful getting in.
* The setup I’m using now is much lower profile and honestly, I kinda forget it’s even there most of the time. I think the main thing is just making sure whatever you get doesn't mess with the air-tightness of the door or the sensors. I’m not 100% sure if the super pricey ones are always the way to go, but I've found that thinner is usually better for the long haul. It's definitely saved my sanity when I see people dragging their shoes across the frame!