AMI install query - A5 Concert (non-MMI)

[Garfybeds]

I have a 2010 A5 with Concert radio installation. I am looking to find out whether AMI can be installed and if so, is there anyone nearby who can do the installation for me (I'm near J11 M1).

I don't need the tray in the glove compartment, just the cable to connect to an iPhone 6

 

[Garfybeds]

I'd like to refresh this post - I'm still interested in installing AMI in my A5, and would love DAB too - does anyone know if this can be done ?

 

[s8craig]

AMI and DAB are possible, DAB would require a new radio and an antenna module with cable. The AMI could be hidden behind the glovebox and just the cable fed through. I have done this sort of install before on old RS6's and A3's with RNS-E AMI's.

 

[Garfybeds]

s8craig, many thanks for the quick answer - can you tell me more about "new radio" ? would this be a standard Audi one that gives the read-out on the existing display ? I don't have MMI or B&O. If new radio, would I need AMI or could I get bluetooth music streaming ?

I'd be interested to understand what sort of price we'd be talking too

 

[s8craig]

You would require a replacement factory radio with the DAB option fitted, so if you have a concert radio, the buy a concert radio with DAB, an antenna for the rear glass and a cable long enough to run between the two.

Bluetooth music is possible through the AUX input and a bluetooth adaptor. But it is very basic.

 

[Garfybeds]

Something on the line of this one ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-AUDI...-8T2057186Q-/351529237123?hash=item51d8c67a83

I find the comment re: the Aux input interesting. I have a 3.5mm socket in the glove compartment for my Aux, but I know the Aux menu rotates between that, the SD card, and to another input on the back of the Concert ?

Am wondering if its necessary to go all the way to the back window for the DAB aerial or whether could use a standard one on the front windscreen

 

[john777w]

You can get a DAB glass mount aerial that will go on the front screen.

 

[Garfybeds]

You can get a DAB glass mount aerial that will go on the front screen.

John, thanks for your advice - I'm very tempted to go for the one on Ebay but trying to understand more about the different models of Concert. I've put a post in the ICE forum to see if I can get more information.

 

[s8craig]

Why would you want to fit a piece of crap to your front windscreen when you can have the genuine DAB antenna in the correct place in the glass in the rear, totally invisible and better reception.

That radio looks ok.

DAB lives and dies by the antenna, if you fit the wrong antenna to DAB it is a waste of time, the music just breaks up and stops.

 

[john777w]

John, thanks for your advice - I'm very tempted to go for the one on Ebay but trying to understand more about the different models of Concert. I've put a post in the ICE forum to see if I can get more information.

Look at Dabonwheels lots of information & aerials on there.

In fact I have just fitted a roof mount DAB/FM aerial as my aftermarket HU had poor radio reception, but I was given a Denison dab usb unit that plugged into a port on the HU & now have perfect reception on both the Denison & the fm/mw on the HU.

 

[s8craig]

Exactly you have fitted a roof antenna and so have I on my A2. Not from Dab on wheels as I wanted DAB/FM/GPS/GSM all in one. Glass mount antennas are very poor in comparison and ugly.

The A5 has the antenna already built into the right hand side rear upper glass, it just requires the right booster to to fitted where the old FM one is and a cable running to the back of the radio.

 

[Garfybeds]

OK, I've got the message re windscreen dab aerials - but I then need to find someone who can run a cable from the radio to the back window and, it sounds like, add an amplifier for it.

I have seen concert model which says it has DAB built in - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351529237123?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT which leads me to the questions:

1. If the unit is not listed as stolen, will it install without Component Protection kicking in ?
2. I know it needs coding in to the CANBUS, are the methods documented somewhere ? (I have a cable)
3. Do we know anyone that can run the cable to the aerial (if there is one) ? (I live near J11 of M1)

Thanks

 

[s8craig]

If you have a cable, copy the current values of your Radio and put them into the new one, it's that simple. Use the controller scan function and read all the values to a csv file. Then you have a record of the coding and adaptations.

Regardless of wether it is stolen or not CP will kick in. And I hope it is not stolen, as if it is then it will show up on the removal procedure and the police will be notified.

 

[rum4mo]

I've started to think that its time to change to a DAB radio and see there are some for sale, so apart from buying a used DAB equivalent to my Concert 3, and buying the DAB aerial booster and lead, is it just a case of replacing the original AM/FM aerial booster with the DAB aerial booster and new lead which will probably be twin Fakra, copying or changing the coding and adaptions and off I go. I thought that as my car is an early 2011 B8 S4 that component protection is not relevant and if I buy a similar aged correct version of Concert 3 with DAB, this would not be an issue, but would finding the security code be an issue. In the past I have upgraded the parking to include front sensors and OPS and had no issues with that wrt component protection. Thanks in anticipation!

Edit:- I'm just curious why Audi located the AM/FM aerial booster in the RHS C pillar and the DAB aerial booster in the LHS C pillar it seems, which might imply that both aerials need to be left in place and connected?