Bluetooth without MFSW

[g-man]

Picked up my A3 2.0 TDI S-line (pics to follow!) today. SO happy with it! :thumbsup:

Was a demonstrator so is pretty much fully loaded (climate, open sky, bose, dsg, cruise, acoustic parking etc etc). Will fit the RNS-E at a later stage.

It also has the bluetooth fitted as standard, I've managed to pair it to my phone, but now what? Is it useless without the MFSW?

I'm waiting on the manuals for the car, didn't pick them up at the time so nothing to go on. Did a search here but didn't find much.

Any info gratefully received.

G-man

 

[marms]

Can't see how you could control the bluetooth without either the MFSW or directly via the RNS-e, but then again if you car came with it fitted but no MFSW then surely there must be a way? Seems a bit silly Audi fitting an option if it can't be used.

 

[g-man]

Thanks, that was my thought as well. I'm hoping there is something in the manual about it.

When I turn on the Symphony II it comes up with "Bose" then "Phone" and it beeps at me There must be something somewhere to control it lol

G-man

 

[Eeef]

i would guess that you press the green 'phone' button on your phone. Kinda defeats the point of having BT though. Alternatively just set the 'phone' profile on your phone to auto-answer.

 

[Vertigo1]

Without the MFSW or RNS-E, you have to use the phone itself to browse the phonebook and dial numbers.

The only alternative is to install a cradle for your phone, if one exists. With this, you'll get the button on the cradle which will perform the same function as the "speak" button on the MFSW and allow you to use voice dialling.

Frankly, anyone who specs the phone prep without the MFSW is a moron. (i.e. the dealer in this case).

 

[g-man]

Without the MFSW or RNS-E, you have to use the phone itself to browse the phonebook and dial numbers.

The only alternative is to install a cradle for your phone, if one exists. With this, you'll get the button on the cradle which will perform the same function as the "speak" button on the MFSW and allow you to use voice dialling.

Frankly, anyone who specs the phone prep without the MFSW is a moron. (i.e. the dealer in this case).

Yeah, I was a little surprised that it didn't have the MFSW. I'll be looking into getting this retrofitted (but probably not by me) as it seems strange not to have it.

Just tested dialing a number on the phone and it does indeed route everything through the car's audio system, pauses the CD, then restarts after the call.

Still handy to have for now though. As I'm going to get the RNS-E at a later stage this will become useful.

G-man

 

[jasaudi]

There is always the possibility that it was originally fitted with the MFSW and the dealer has switched it off onto another car out of necessity

 

[g-man]

There is always the possibility that it was originally fitted with the MFSW and the dealer has switched it off onto another car out of necessity

I will ask tomorrow and see. Does seem odd.

 

[Staz]

how much is the bluetooth? It's not on the configurator

 

[g-man]

how much is the bluetooth? It's not on the configurator

Sorry, I don't know, it came pre-installed on my car.

I inquired about the MFSW and it was never installed in the car (and the dealership have been the only owner).

Any recommendations for where to source the appropriate steering wheel? Or just ask at local Audi service centre maybe?

Thanks
G-man

 

[Vertigo1]

how much is the bluetooth? It's not on the configurator

It is, it's called "GSM mobile telephone preparation", they just don't mention the word "Bluetooth" anywhere, which is helpful.

It's £385.

 

[Staz]

It is, it's called "GSM mobile telephone preparation", they just don't mention the word "Bluetooth" anywhere, which is helpful.

It's £385.

These are the two on the configurator:

GSM mobile telephone preparation located in front centre armrest

GSM mobile telephone preparation located on dashboard

They would appear to be physical connections as the sub paragraph states:

(a phone adapter is required at extra cost. Please consult your Audi Centre for details).

Strange really.

 

[Vertigo1]

Yep those are the ones. It's very very misleading as everything leads you to believe there's no bluetooth but there is, trust me

It is technically correct as you need an additional adapter to use the mount for a hardwired connection but it just neglects to mention bluetooth at all.

 

[Trickey Dickey]

hey g man
do you have a hissing coming thriugh your speakers? i have bose and phone prep without multi func steering wheel and i get alot of hissing through my speakers, check out my thread about hissing speakers, wandered if you have this prob too???

 

[g-man]

hey g man
do you have a hissing coming thriugh your speakers? i have bose and phone prep without multi func steering wheel and i get alot of hissing through my speakers, check out my thread about hissing speakers, wandered if you have this prob too???

Hi,

I just checked. With the volume at 0 (zero) this is a *very* slight amount of hiss (which I guess is unavoidable), but by the time you've put the volume at 2 or more, it cannot be heard.

G-man

 

[Trickey Dickey]

ok food for thought! i'll see what the dealers say, i have loads of hiss and its really hissing me off!!!!!

 

[Vertigo1]

RNS-E/GSM/MFSW here and no hissing

 

[Staz]

Yep those are the ones. It's very very misleading as everything leads you to believe there's no bluetooth but there is, trust me

It is technically correct as you need an additional adapter to use the mount for a hardwired connection but it just neglects to mention bluetooth at all.

As I'm not going for an armrest what wouldI have sticking out of my dash?? I don't want any physical connection, just figured as I'm getting the MFSW I may aswell get the bluetooth

 

[normski]

As I'm not going for an armrest what wouldI have sticking out of my dash?? I don't want any physical connection, just figured as I'm getting the MFSW I may aswell get the bluetooth

You will have an ugly flat plate projecting from the dash awaiting the fitting of the correct adaptor to put your phone into. If you don't want something in view that you will never mount to, I would recommend the armrest and armrest GSM kit...

 

[Staz]

You will have an ugly flat plate projecting from the dash awaiting the fitting of the correct adaptor to put your phone into. If you don't want something in view that you will never mount to, I would recommend the armrest and armrest GSM kit...

Seems a bit stupid then. All I want is a bluetooth system like the aftermarket ones. I get in my car with my phone in my pocket and it automatically connects.

Does this one do that?

And can I remove the dash bracket?

I really don't want an armrest norm

 

[Vertigo1]

It is stupid that you can't specify no mount if you only want to use the bluetooth but that's how it is I'm afraid - dash or armrest.

The bluetooth does indeed connect automatically when you turn on the ignition.

I'd seriously recommend getting the armrest as, not only does it provide a nifty hide-away for the phone, but it's a godsend in its own right on long journeys.

The alternative is to retrofit the bluetooth module yourself (or get someone like craig to do it) after you've got the car as this way you can omit the cradle.

 

[Staz]

Can the mount come off though or is it integral to the bluetooth?

I do many long journeys (I live in germany don't forget) and have never had the need or desire for an armrest. Plus when I had a courtesy car with one I didn't really like it.

Maybe retrofit is the way. What's craigs username?

 

[Vertigo1]

The mount can be taken off as it's not required for the bluetooth side to work, but it'll leave a couple of holes in your dash.

Not sure on craig's username here but head over to www.navplus.us where his username is "craigyb" - he's prolific on there.

 

[Staz]

Where would the holes be? Any chance of a pic???

 

[BrianM]

The holes will be level with the eyeball vents to the left of the passenger one..and believ me its a mess if you remove the bracket.
Like you my car was specced with GSM/Bluetooth and no MFSW by the dealer, it was their demo car. Absolutely useless without the MFSW but the dealer has quoted approx £2k to retrofit the wheel, it requires a different airbag apparently. You occassionally see the wheel on Ebay but the airbag is another £400 plus and if you have S Line spec then the wheel is as rare as hen's teeth secondhand.

 

[marms]

Doesn't need a new airbag.

You will only need the actual steering wheel and a wiring harness.

You may or may not also need the steering wheel control module. If you already have cruise control you will have the module already.

My car has cruise so needed the wheel and the harness. Total cost £354 inc P&P and that was for the s-line with DSG wheel.

The only other thing you will need is access to VAG-COM to recode everything.

 

[JamS3]

Not sure on craig's username here but head over to www.navplus.us where his username is "craigyb" - he's prolific on there.

Its s8craig on here

 

[BrianM]

Doesn't need a new airbag.

You will only need the actual steering wheel and a wiring harness.

You may or may not also need the steering wheel control module. If you already have cruise control you will have the module already.

My car has cruise so needed the wheel and the harness. Total cost £354 inc P&P and that was for the s-line with DSG wheel.

The only other thing you will need is access to VAG-COM to recode everything.

Well that's vastly different to my dealers quote, did you do the job yourself? Where did you source the parts from please. I have cruise fitted so I would happily pay £350 for the job.

 

[marms]

www.audi-accessories.co.uk

Should be able to help you. Drop them an email.
Just make sure you quote your chassis number as there are several versions of the airbag and you need to get the correct wheel to match your existing one.

Easy DIY job if you have access to VAG-COM. I actuall haven't done my own car yet as I'm waiting for the parts but I did a friends A3 sportback and it's a very easy job taking less that an hour.

 

[BrianM]

Thanks Marms, but I don't have access to Vagcom and tbh I don't feel confident in removing the airbag..visions of it going off in my face are worrying. I wonder if there is an Audi specialist in the Herts/Cambs border who would take this job on? Anybody? I live at Royston Herts, SG88 postcode?

 

[marms]

Thanks Marms, but I don't have access to Vagcom and tbh I don't feel confident in removing the airbag..visions of it going off in my face are worrying. I wonder if there is an Audi specialist in the Herts/Cambs border who would take this job on? Anybody? I live at Royston Herts, SG88 postcode?

LOL - It's not a bomb !!

As long as you take the necessary precautions it's perfectly safe. However I understand that some are not confident in doing such things so good luck in finding a specialist.

 

[Staz]

It is stupid that you can't specify no mount if you only want to use the bluetooth but that's how it is I'm afraid - dash or armrest.

You can now spec bluetooth without the mount or armrest on the configurator. Still costs £385 though.