S3 8L Double DIN conversion

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Routledge

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Expect to be crucified a little for being lazy and not spending that much time hunting the archives, but..

I currently have a dodgy-volume Concert tape deck with CD changer in the boot.

I would really like to get a double DIN unit in there, looking smart, and then wire in new speakers, an Andy stealth and amp to have a good quality sound, yet looking relatively OEM still.

Are there many people that have done this, and is it even possible?

Cheers in advance for any help!
 
Pre facelift but with ESP.

Looks basically like this

$(KGrHqF,!oUFB0VfBy50BQiBrHqSGQ~~48_79.JPG
 
Good luck with it mate, me and aaron looked into ages ago and their is little to no info about it and i believe only 1 person has done it but the info on it like i said is pretty much non existent, that's not to say it cant be done, theirs a few tt dash's in a3's knocking around so its just don to how capable/loaded you are.
 
Neither of the above, but I have moments of motivation, and at the moment I'm treating my car.

I'm wondering about fibreglass, but have a feeling there's going to be a lot of stuff behind that's going to get in the way, and fully expect to have to remove the whole dash to move things around..

Hhmmmm...
 
get hazzy dazzy limited to fit you and RNS-E i know they do a good job at it
 
audi upgrades
Would I be able to straight swap and put in a facelift centre instead?

classifiedsImage.php


Mine has ESP like this does.
 
I guess I'll keep an eye out for breakers and try and secure one this way.

I like the one pictured because it's got the heated seat buttons there too, which would be great for me as I have the leather recaros with heating elements already installed.. But lack the buttons and wiring to get them to work
 
cant see why putting a double din in an a3/s3 would be an issue..... just bin off the little storage thing
 
turnstyle said:
cant see why putting a double din in an a3/s3 would be an issue..... just bin off the little storage thing
Click to expand...

Then there wouldn't be the holes to mount the heater control panel to. And that it would be the wrong shape.

I have heated recaros but salvaged a loom out of a bora in the local scrappy with the bora switches. Reinstalled it in my a3 and just put them in the compartment to the right of the steering wheel
 
Little update..

I have managed to locate, and purchase this! It has taken me some time scouring eBay almost daily, but got there in the end.

AUDI A3 S3 8L Dash Centre Console Stereo Surround Panel Double DIN 1997 - 2003 | eBay

It looks like it's missing the piano black trim at the top, and of course the head unit, climate control panel, hazard light switch, esp & cup holder, and coin compartment.

If I am able to locate & purchase these missing bits.. What else will I have to overcome to fit this?
 
Routledge said:
Little update..

I have managed to locate, and purchase this! It has taken me some time scouring eBay almost daily, but got there in the end.

AUDI A3 S3 8L Dash Centre Console Stereo Surround Panel Double DIN 1997 - 2003 | eBay

It looks like it's missing the piano black trim at the top, and of course the head unit, climate control panel, hazard light switch, esp & cup holder, and coin compartment.

If I am able to locate & purchase these missing bits.. What else will I have to overcome to fit this?
Click to expand...

Ok mate. I think your trim may be transferable along with switches, It is on a facelift. I have one on eBay if yours isn't. You won't have a coin compartment in the new setup
You will need a new climate unit or trim yours.

Pm me if you want any extra help with the install
 
What is your name on eBay? I'll have a looky.

I've contacted the seller about a group buy for a number of the bits that are missing.

I'll need to locate a cup holder, and the blanking plates either side of the ESP switch as well as he's sold the cup holder, and tossed the blanking plates already.
 
I have an OEM head unit available mate, only a symphony with a CD and tape but i'm pretty sure it can be linked to a multi changer..
 
Hey Reesy. Is it from an S3?

Does it look like this:
IMG_0203-1.jpg


I'm half tempted to by a nav unit..

Would this fit?

$T2eC16hHJIkE9qU3l3d0BQc!BFH-,g~~60_12.JPG
 
Mine is the single CD one so looks similar and will work with the Bose, yours for cheap if just to tide you over..

The rns-d will fit, make sure you get one from an 8L though as the B5 one's don't fit without trimming
 
Reesy, PM sent.

Update: Have managed to haggle a bit with the guy I got the Double DIN centre from and have done a deal for the following:

S3 8L Double DIN cage
ESP button to fit the above
Ashtray to fit the above
Climate control panel to fit the above
Postage

All in at £110.00.

This means I need the cup holder and the gloss black trim, and two switch blanking plugs for either side of the ESP button. I will use my existing hazard light switch.

Once I've got all this I'll need to get hold of an RNS-D for an 8L.. But in the meantime I'll either fit it and take up Reesy, or just keep the Single-DIN in there till I find one.
 
Last edited:
Routledge is yours a pre or post facelift?
 
I'm not sure a single will fit or at least stay in A double din cage.

A4 unit will fit but you'll need to trim the sides down but you'll be left with a gap at the top.
The only difference between the two units is the faceplates, if you strugle to find a 8L system working but you locate a faulty one, get it and buy any other RNS-d unit and swap the face plates over.
Then sell me the faulty unit and face plate :thumbsup:
 
Scott - I meant keep the existing Single-DIN setup until I've got all the bits.

Well, I've managed to get almost everything I need now.

I'm waiting on delivery of:

Facelift Double DIN cage
Facelift Cup holder
Facelift gloss black trim surround
Facelift ESP button
Facelift ashtray
Facelift climate control

I've got my hazard button on the car already, which has the same dimensions as the facelift, so will be re-used.

I should be picking up a brand new A4 RNS-D unit, not this weekend but next weekend, so will only need 2x blanking gromits for either side of the ESP button, a maps CD for the RNS-D, an aerial, and then either some trimming of the face plate, or an 8L face plate for the head unit from somewhere.

Anyone got any idea if you can buy a face plate for the RNS-D to fit 8L from anywhere, to save me butchering the A4 one? I'm not sure I want to shell out for a faulty unit just for its fascia - It is January, and I'm already shelling out on treats for the car that probably could've waited ;)

Also, will I need to do anything with the loom for the climate control? Mine's currently wired in to a pre-facelift unit, which appears to have a different display system.

I'm also guessing the wiring is a little different for the nav unit as well, but will take a look at leigh's DIY topic when it all turns up.
 
Routledge said:
Scott - I meant keep the existing Single-DIN setup until I've got all the bits.

Well, I've managed to get almost everything I need now.

I'm waiting on delivery of:

Facelift Double DIN cage
Facelift Cup holder
Facelift gloss black trim surround
Facelift ESP button
Facelift ashtray
Facelift climate control

I've got my hazard button on the car already, which has the same dimensions as the facelift, so will be re-used.

I should be picking up a brand new A4 RNS-D unit, not this weekend but next weekend, so will only need 2x blanking gromits for either side of the ESP button, a maps CD for the RNS-D, an aerial, and then either some trimming of the face plate, or an 8L face plate for the head unit from somewhere.

Anyone got any idea if you can buy a face plate for the RNS-D to fit 8L from anywhere, to save me butchering the A4 one? I'm not sure I want to shell out for a faulty unit just for its fascia - It is January, and I'm already shelling out on treats for the car that probably could've waited ;)

Also, will I need to do anything with the loom for the climate control? Mine's currently wired in to a pre-facelift unit, which appears to have a different display system.

I'm also guessing the wiring is a little different for the nav unit as well, but will take a look at leigh's DIY topic when it all turns up.
Click to expand...

You can't buy faceplates on their own.
I've looked for mine.
The only options are to chop it up or buy 8L unit and swap the plates over.
It would be a real shame to cut it up, hold out and look for as long as you can see one turns up or if someone is willing to swap.
I'm already in talks with another forum member about swapping my 8L unit with a B5 unit but for any reason this should fall through, I'll let you know and we might be able to sort something out.

G60leigh will be able to help you out with your install as he has just done his.
The only wiring I can think of is to make sure you have a Safe wire and that you use VCDS to tell the unit if you have Bose or not.
The CDs turn up on ebay everynow and then.
Any Blaupoint DX nav CD will be fine.
You don't need a Audi version.
 
ScottB5 said:
You can't buy faceplates on their own.
I've looked for mine.
The only options are to chop it up or buy 8L unit and swap the plates over.
It would be a real shame to cut it up, hold out and look for as long as you can see one turns up or if someone is willing to swap.
I'm already in talks with another forum member about swapping my 8L unit with a B5 unit but for any reason this should fall through, I'll let you know and we might be able to sort something out.

G60leigh will be able to help you out with your install as he has just done his.
The only wiring I can think of is to make sure you have a Safe wire and that you use VCDS to tell the unit if you have Bose or not.
The CDs turn up on ebay everynow and then.
Any Blaupoint DX nav CD will be fine.
You don't need a Audi version.
Click to expand...

That's a shame that you can't buy them. I don't really want to butcher the A4 one as it may end up looking messy even if I carefully file/sand it down.

If that swap falls through then let me know - If it's possible to remove the fascias I'd happily do a swap in the post, covering your postage and some wonga for a pint on top.

Yeah I read something about the Safe wire - If I remember correctly it's a live feed to a plug somewhere, or something. I think it's documented on leigh's topic.

Thanks for the advice on the version - Will have a look online and see what I can find. I've been offered one with the unit for an extra tenner, so am inclined to just fork out if they're more expensive online.
 
Routledge said:
Yeah I read something about the Safe wire - If I remember correctly it's a live feed to a plug somewhere, or something. I think it's documented on leigh's topic.

Thanks for the advice on the version - Will have a look online and see what I can find. I've been offered one with the unit for an extra tenner, so am inclined to just fork out if they're more expensive online.
Click to expand...

The Safe wire is a constant live.
I wired it in to the live cable that goes in to the unit and its been fine.

£10 is not a bad price but it depends on the version.
They still do 2010+ versions, so it might be worth looking on ebay and see what you can get.

Let me know when you get it or A unit and I'll send you the update CD to update the firmware
 
Another update.

Just won this auction, which looked a little ominous, but for the money it's probably worth trying to fit... And worst case it's a terrible fit - I imagine I could possibly spin a profit on it on eBay.

FB7055B7-5884-43CF-BE7E-EC848F4C89BE-1335-00000148A9FACA37.jpg
 
Routledge said:
Another update.

Just won this auction, which looked a little ominous, but for the money it's probably worth trying to fit... And worst case it's a terrible fit - I imagine I could possibly spin a profit on it on eBay.
Click to expand...

That is cheap....really cheap.
Nice find that man.


I can't see it fitting.
Like stated before, you will have gaps at the top and possible bottom of the unit when its fitted and the sides will stick out.

But for the price, I would not have passed it up whether it fitted or not.
 
Ill be keeping a eye on this mate, wouldnt mind updating my prefacelift so i can have satnav and a cup holder lol.
 
Well if its the same as an A4 fitment and you still need to swap yours Scott... ;)

I'm sure I can make it into a reasonable profit for you.

I think I still need a few more bits before I can get started on this.

Received x4 keys for this yesterday, and still need to find 2
blanking plugs for either side of the ESP switch, and a puck aerial, maps CD and possibly radio code. Will see what comes with the unit before I go ordering any more parts.
 
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You may be able to trim it to fit. There is nobody that sells the facia you are looking for. Nearest one is the A4 one with a dremel.
G60leigh is the man to talk to, he swapped out my double din cage/carcass and fitted a single din in the time it took me to run to the cash point!

Can you get some photos of the climate control unit from behind? The single and double din facelifts only differ in the plastic face, and its removable, You may be able to remove/modify yours to fit lower in the dash console.

G60leigh may have a facelift one spare too if its needed, you'd have to compare wiring.

If you need to find a home for your cubby hole i'd gladly take it off you :p

Good luck with the cup holder, £50ish new and havent found a single second hand one thats working/repairable yet!
 
All is still available from audi to. I checked. What you doing with the climate? I want the rns-e and a console change is the only way. If you do it then I'm defo doing mine!!
 
I think when you come to the climate part then itll come unstuck, the facelift climate control unit operates differeantly to the prefacelifts, so i think is it the central control module will need changing. Maybe wrong.
 
Yeah the climate control on the facelift has one less connector or migh be the other way around. I would imagine you could still fit it in. Ill do it if you do it dani :)
 
Nar ive got a better idea, you buy all the parts and ill fit them on yours and see if it works haha.
 
In response to the above, I'm feeling positive based on this quote:

g60leigh said:
I did a single pre-facelift to double facelift dash centre conversion for someone a fortnight ago and they got a facelift double din climate control which just plugged into cars original wiring and worked straight off the bat
Click to expand...

I'm fitting an RNS-D to mine opposed to an RNS-E.

Have now ordered a puck aerial, and when the unit turns up I'll see how easy it will be to 'make' it fit in the console. The real saving grace is that the new console is actually out of the vehicle so I can actually fiddle around with it without having to compromise the car as my daily.

At: @udi A3 - I've got a cupholder now, working smoothly and ready to roll. Getting closer slowly but surely to being able to attempt the swap.
 
Biggest part is getting round the aircon issue. If you can solve that then everything else is achievable with 'off the shelf' bits.

Here's my facelift double DIN set up using a Kenwood DNX unit - apart from a simple fascia adapter plate everything else is stock. I usually hate after market stuff but it fits so nicely and does so much that I really can't imagine the car without it.

Sounds awesome through the BOSE system and does everything - nav, bluetooth, iPod dock, CD, DVD, TV - love it long time!

s3console.jpg


s3console1.jpg
 
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