What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?

I'm hoping it will be good as well given the cost..lol
I was advised by numerous sources to go with the correct alpine fitting kit and direct connection camera to ensure a top-quality fit, end to end connection and quality imaging.
I've since been advised that only alpine direct connection cams are compatible with my Alpine iLX702d Head unit, so lucky i ordered the correct one to start with. :thumbs up:

I'm keen to see how accurate it really is for parking etc, I've driven a few cars with rear cams and they were really misleading with distances.
 
IMG 9873

Not one for the purists but I figured with the price of the carbon trims removing them and wrapping them would give me an idea how much I wanted the real thing


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I've another section of the interior being dipped at the moment.
nothing major but just makes a change from the norm...

I have the genuine carbon trims fitted and as nice as they are, it is a big expense really when wrap or dip can return nice results at a fraction of the cost.
 
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I'm Just Rob. said:
I've another section of the interior being dipped at the moment.
nothing major but just makes a change from the norm...

I have the genuine carbon trims fitted and as nice as they are, it is a big expense really when wrap or dip can return nice results at a fraction of the cost.
Click to expand...

I had a hunt about on the internet and sent out a couple of emails but had no luck finding dippers in my neck of the woods


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Jamsmoo said:
I had a hunt about on the internet and sent out a couple of emails but had no luck finding dippers in my neck of the woods


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I had the same lack of success to start with James, then by sheer luck looking for paint services near me , i found a guy literally 1 mile up the road that does it , and very well too, but he doesn't advise it as his primary services, rather it's part of several services he offers.
 
What I also found was that most of them have a minimum order charge so for small one off's or things like that they are just to costly.
Guy near me doesn't have a minimum order value etc so that's a bonus.
He's doing my S4 rear valance aswell
 
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If you want his details let me know, you'd need to send them down to him but maybe a solution.
 
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I must say that carbon trims or wrap/dipped trims do give the cabin a totally different look and feel, i would'nt go back to the silver or similar finish now.
carbon finished FBSW may not be to everyone's taste but does match in with the rest and i like it. :yahoo: :thumbs up:
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I'm Just Rob. said:
The Alpine rear tailgate switch/camera assembly arrived today and it is a really good quality kit, better than expected to be honest.
Just waiting for the HCE-C1100D alpine camera kit to arrive tomorrow, a nice straightforward project for the weekend. :yahoo: :thumbs up:
View attachment 250236
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Hi Rob, this for B7, ? I didn't know they made a B7 handle as I thought it was only B8.
 
I'm Just Rob. said:
It is indeed Richard.
Took me a while to find it but worth the search.
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Ok that's good, when you fit it just make sure you can open the tailgate from the inside and it works,
when I fitted mine and shut the boot lid, boot would not open, I have remote opening on the keyfob and switch on the drivers side,
Avants don't have this, found out the lever to operate the micro switch was not quite touching so added some sleeping to the lever.
 
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The Avant tailgates can only be opened from the inside via the keyfob button or emergency catch inside side the tailgate panel where the emergency triangle is stored.
otherwise it is the keyfob remote opening or the rear external catch .
 
I'm Just Rob. said:
If you want his details let me know, you'd need to send them down to him but maybe a solution.
Click to expand...

thanks,I’ll bear that in mind Rob ,I’ll see how this diy wrapping malarkey turns out.Really like the idea of the rear valance


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Jamsmoo said:
View attachment 250237
Not one for the purists but I figured with the price of the carbon trims removing them and wrapping them would give me an idea how much I wanted the real thing


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Click to expand...

IMG 9884

IMG 9876

Couple of daylight picks ,very happy with how it’s applied and the finish ,just wish I’d sourced a higher gloss


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so my alpine camera kit did arrive today as the shop promised. :yahoo:

Alpine certainly believe in supplying everything in a kit even some heat shrink.
IMG 4561
 
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No, had it for ages as a spare as they get worn over time and do look tatty.
It did'nt always look new, I refurbed it with a view to using it but never did, decided to get it dipped now.
 
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New carbon wrap arrived ,not as high gloss as I’d hoped but so much better quality,actually has that carbon fibre feel to it as opposed to printed picture ,far tackier and easier to shape few more quid but so worth it
Gear surround done in the first wrap ashtray in the new


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I'm Just Rob. said:
The Alpine rear tailgate switch/camera assembly arrived today and it is a really good quality kit, better than expected to be honest.
Just waiting for the HCE-C1100D alpine camera kit to arrive tomorrow, a nice straightforward project for the weekend. :yahoo: :thumbs up:
View attachment 250236
Click to expand...
So plan A has failed miserably, this does not fit despite the fitment saying it does.
As I already knew the Avant and Saloon have a full-length plate light/catch assembly with the saloon having a lock aperture , either way this so-called direct fit is not.
I should have double-checked myself to be honest but stupidly assumed the fitment guide was correct....
Anyway, after a wasted morning searching the webby there does not appear to be a suitable fitting such as the above for a B7 Avant for use with an Alpine direct connect camera.
Its going back first thing Monday.
I'll just have to use the universal mounting plate that came with the cam, not what I planned on but thus far I can't see any other solution.
 
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I'm Just Rob. said:
So plan A has failed miserably, this does not fit despite the fitment saying it does.
As I already knew the Avant and Saloon have a full-length plate light/catch assembly with the saloon having a lock aperture , either way this so-called direct fit is not.
I should have double-checked myself to be honest but stupidly assumed the fitment guide was correct....
Anyway, after a wasted morning searching the webby there does not appear to be a suitable fitting such as the above for a B7 Avant for use with an Alpine direct connect camera.
Its going back first thing Monday.
I'll just have to use the universal mounting plate that came with the cam, not what I planned on but thus far I can't see any other solution.
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Why, does the new handle not fit after removing the old handle? This is the one I bought on Ebay, direct fit? Well no I had to modify to fit.
 

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It is one assembly and is bigger than the current aperture Richard, well its not made for the B7 full stop after checking with alpine it's for a4 from 2007 onwards that use a single unit as opposed to a switch built into one larger unit as on the B7.
It is also held in place differently.
My own fault really for not triple checking the fitment options .
 
I'm Just Rob. said:
Well technically 2007 still covers the B7 platform but they list it as B8 from 2007.
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That's why I was supprised you found for B7, when I checked could not find one.
I still had to modify mine even though it states direct fit, I had to drill a hole in the rear to pass the video cable, and one of the remaining screws did not line up as well.
And as stated before, I had to sleeve the lever to increase its thickness to operate the micro switch,
 
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Currently in the middle of the camera install.
Cable routing can be interesting in B7's..lol
I'm not pulling all the trims off in the cabin, just tucking under lower trims by carpet and then under the rear seat trims and up and behind load area side panel to get access to the rubber boot which joins the tailgate to the car.
And what a nightmare that is, getting a small cable through the rubber boot/sleeve that is bent around and wrinkled into tailgate, arghhhhh.
I gave up plans a/b/and c as it just wasn't happening.
After tea and biscuits, I decided the best plan was to remove all the tailgate trim, then disconnect all the loom plugs on the offside loom and pull the loom free from the tailgate.
That way the rubber boot /sleeve can be pulled straight and with a bit of help from a coat hanger I was able to pull the cam lead through into the tailgate, what a faff, still got there in the end.

Just need to sort out fixing the cam on the tailgate and pulling out HU to make the connection there.

Wouldn't do this mod again in a rush..
 
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At least it's not all bad news on the camera install, I'll still need to drill a hole in the plastic trim next to the catch due to the use of a universal mount bracket, but the Alpine cam has a very small plug, only 5mm diameter so it won't take too much to seal it from the weather.

IMG 4565
 
The rear cam installation is all done, very pleased with the screen resolution and overall quality of the kit, just a shame about the mess up with the integrated tailgate catch/camera holder.
I've used the universal mount for now which I'm not happy with from an aesthetic viewpoint but it is secure.
It will suffice until I work out something better, and it won't mean changing and wiring either which is a bonus.
One of the good things about this alpine head unit and camera is it's direct connection , just one cable from end to end , all power is supplied by the HU so no need to hook into other supply sources.
 
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I'm Just Rob. said:
The rear cam installation is all done, very pleased with the screen resolution and overall quality of the kit, just a shame about the mess up with the integrated tailgate catch/camera holder.
I've used the universal mount for now which I'm not happy with from an aesthetic viewpoint but it is secure.
It will suffice until I work out something better, and it won't mean changing and wiring either which is a bonus.
One of the good things about this alpine head unit and camera is it's direct connection , just one cable from end to end , all power is supplied by the HU so no need to hook into other supply sources.
Click to expand...
Using only one cable is a real bonus, I had to do a lot more to mine using the RNSE as it you need a video interface to connect a camera.
When you hit reverse, what is the trigger ?
How about some pictures Rob.
 
Inside the car, the screen is activated in two ways.
1) when you select to reverse it comes on straight away, no delays at all.
2) you can tap the screen icon marked "cam" and it will come on.

so you can just sit stationary and have it on view mode etc.

Guidance lines for parking can be switched off as can the hitch guidance, screen warning text can be moved as well so all very handy.
I'm not bothered about the guidance lines so will leave them off and i didn't buy it for parking aids, but I do have a couple of trailers.
One is large so no probs when reversing as the wheels can be seen, the other is not as wide as the car and has no way of seeing the top from the driving seat, so the rear cam view will be a godsend when reversing a small one. :yahoo:
The image is really crisp and clear with way more adjustments than I'll ever need.:thumbs up:

a few pics, are not brilliant and just do not do image quality any justice, as far as accuracy, I'd say it is pretty well spot on for distances etc.

I was a bit sceptical on image quality and speed of refresh etc to be honest, I've seen a few and wasn't impressed, I am very impressed with the alpine setup, well worth the money, just need to sort out a better more aesthetic looking holder for the rear.

pics, not brill but you get the idea.
IMG 4567
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I'm Just Rob. said:
I left out the horrible rear cam fixing pic...:whistle2:
I will wack it up in a bit.
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Hi Rob, yes looks really good, nice pictures, a bit clearer than mine.
Are you parked on a slope, as the lines look a bit high to me.
How does it no when you hit reverse? Just curious as you have no trigger from reversing lights or gearbox .
 
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Really can't be having this wart on the back of my old bus so i'll need to sort out a solution pronto. :thumbs up:
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I'm just looking at how the B7 assembly can be modified to accept the newer tailgate catch/camera holder assembly.
maybe some cutting and then some careful rebuilding of the whole assembly to incorporate the alpine switch I have.
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norad97 said:
Hi Rob, yes looks really good, nice pictures, a bit clearer than mine.
Are you parked on a slope, as the lines look a bit high to me.
How does it no when you hit reverse? Just curious as you have no trigger from reversing lights or gearbox .
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No, I'm on the flat, i just haven't adjusted the angle yet, I was more concerned that it was going to function..lol
My alpine loom has a reverse cable in its loom, all the interface wires just hooked up to the original Avant quad lock, I've not wired it up specifically, this is how it just all worked out.
 
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I'm Just Rob. said:
Really can't be having this wart on the back of my old bus so i'll need to sort out a solution pronto. :thumbs up:
View attachment 250457

I'm just looking at how the B7 assembly can be modified to accept the newer tailgate catch/camera holder assembly .
maybe some cutting and then some carefull rebuilding of the whole assembly to incorparte the alpine switch i have.
View attachment 250458

View attachment 250459
Click to expand...
So what's the problem, does it not fit the hole for the handle? Does the Alpine handle have a lever to operate the micro switch?
 
The B7 OE Avant catch is constructed differently, it has a narrower profile front to back so the alpine unit won't fit in also they are secured differently.
OE uses two screws into the casing whereas the alpine B8 version has bolts that don't work in the same way.

There is a way of doing this ,just need to ponder on it for a while.
 
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