B8.5 No MMI to 3G High conversion

[CarbonMike]

My black edition 8.5 has no the MMI B&O audio factory setup. Looking to up spec it a little.

Anyone ever done this? Short of getting all the parts together, how much of a ballache is this to do?

 

[davidg123]

What does your head unit and buttons around the gear stick/shift (depending on where you're from ) look like

 

[tech838]

Adding to the cost, I'm fairly sure the B&O amps are different between the no MMI and MMI setups which will add £££

I looked into upgrading my 2G to 3G and decided the large amount of money and effort was better put elsewhere for what you'll gain

 

[CarbonMike]

What does your head unit and buttons around the gear stick/shift (depending on where you're from ) look like

I have the standard gear shift surround with no volume button on or joy stick at all. Centre console has the 3 twist knobs on, 2 for climate control an centre one for operating radio stuff.

Im uk based btw.

Theres isnt even a usb connector jack and its a 2014 model *** lol

 

[davidg123]

I have a B8 which didn't have navigation, but had B&O, Bluetooth and Dab. Things I had to get were head unit, new most bus, wiring harness, fibre optic loop (both from kufatec.co.uk) new B&O amp, DaB radio (boot mounted) and 7.5 inch screen (from memory) plus associated brackets for mounting......

If I'm honest the fitting wasn't too bad. When I get chance I'll post some pics of the wiring in the boot, as this was the tricky part (for me).

As @tech838 said it can be expensive and as the head unit, boot mounted radio and B&O amp are component protected you'll need to make sure the vehicle they came out of wasn't stolen. Component protection would need to be removed and need to be re-coded to your car.

Think overall I spent about £2000-£2500 putting it in my car which had the same set up as yours.

 

[CarbonMike]

Right ok.

Theres whole kits complete with looms on ebay for around 700 quid, you can never gatantee there not hooky tho :/

If it wasnt a ****** quattro model id have sold it for one with a decent factory fit MMI lol

 

[Stonefish]

You might as well go for the 3G+ head unit as the prices are not that much more than the 3G high. My car came with just a concert radio with B&O and I did the retrofit of the 3G+, DAB etc. It is not as difficult as people make out. I even made my own wiring loom and with a good quality set of trim tools and torx screw bits you are away. The good thing about the MMI system is most of the communication is by the optical MOST cables arranged in a ring. The MMI head unit communicates with the DAB radio and B&O amp using the optical wires and the DAB radio communicates to the B&O amp using the same system. Prices are cheaper now than when I bought mine but the main bits now are roughly £350 for the main unit, £100-150 control panel, £100-150 screen, £200-300 DAB radio, £250-300 MMI B&O amp, £50-70 MMI gateway. Best buy from big car dismantlers to avoid nicked parts. Lastly, component protection can be removed by a number of independent VAG specialists.

 

[CarbonMike]

Just had a nosey on the Kufatec site an came across this little lot. I *think* this is all id need?

 

[davidg123]

Looks like it has everything, just make sure it's for right hand drive not left hand drive. The wiring I got from them worked well (and still does) you'll still need someone to code it to your car, but there should be loads of people around that cam help if you're unsure.

 

[Stonefish]

As David says the trim in the pictures is for a left hand drive version plus the radio is not DAB. Also, I'm pretty sure all the bits apart from the wiring are second hand, so it's quite expensive. The main unit does seem to be a 3G+.

 

[ianv5]

Just get this https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/SingleView/X701D-A4R

Had one in my previous 2.0tfsi avant, great piece of kit and easy to install!

 

[davidg123]

@ianv5, they're just plug and play too aren't they. I looked at them too and have heard very good reviews about them

 

[ianv5]

Yep! I also added the additional tweeters and front door speakers as my previous did not have B&O.

 

[CarbonMike]

Just get this https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/SingleView/X701D-A4R

Had one in my previous 2.0tfsi avant, great piece of kit and easy to install!

Thats an interesting bit of kit for sure. Rear camera option aswell.

How easy is easy installation then. No vcds required easy?