AMI Question for an Audi Newbie

[Rhys H]

I'm about to buy one of these two specimens and could do with a couple answers:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705245770071?logcode=visc&fromSA=true

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708188456448?logcode=visc&fromSA=true

They both come with AMI and I can't find any concrete answers for how they work.

Am I right in thinking that if you stream from an iPhone to the car using Bluetooth Audio Streaming, you can play/pause/skip tracks using the integrated car system and steering wheel? But you won't be able to browse the tracks using the car?

And if connecting an iPhone to the AMI cable, you will be able to use the steering wheel controls, as well as browse the tracks and artists through the car?

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong area.

 

[Audi Bairn]

I'm about to buy one of these two specimens and could do with a couple answers:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705245770071?logcode=visc&fromSA=true

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708188456448?logcode=visc&fromSA=true

They both come with AMI and I can't find any concrete answers for how they work.

Am I right in thinking that if you stream from an iPhone to the car using Bluetooth Audio Streaming, you can play/pause/skip tracks using the integrated car system and steering wheel? But you won't be able to browse the tracks using the car?

And if connecting an iPhone to the AMI cable, you will be able to use the steering wheel controls, as well as browse the tracks and artists through the car?

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong area.

Rhys.
I can't answer the first point as I don't use that functionality.
Via the cable, you are correct in your statement. You can also plug the iPod / phone into the armrest USB using the charging cable but there's a very slight loss in functionality, but not much (this is what I do currently).

 

[Ormesome]

Am I right in thinking that if you stream from an iPhone to the car using Bluetooth Audio Streaming, you can play/pause/skip tracks using the integrated car system and steering wheel? But you won't be able to browse the tracks using the car?

And if connecting an iPhone to the AMI cable, you will be able to use the steering wheel controls, as well as browse the tracks and artists through the car?
.

Yes! but if you don't have Apple Car Play (which i don't think you will as its later cars) then you won't be able to browse the tracks or artists if via bluetooth or the MMI cable unless you have your tracks saved to an SD Card. Both of those cars you showed in the links seem to have the Low MMI which is the base spec (i think). Its the same as my car. No browsing of artists at all. You need to do this on the phone. But bluetooth works well and you can use the steering wheel controls or MMI to control forwards/back/pause etc...

Nice cars though, Personally would go for the Sport spec if choosing between that and the SE. The SE is poverty spec and looks pretty basic to me. for £700 more you can get the Sport model in those links. If i got the SE, i would be getting in it and wishing i had picked a model with climate control/sat nav & comfier seats!! Much like i am now in my 1.6tdi think i wish i has an S3!!

 

[Rhys H]

Rhys.
I can't answer the first point as I don't use that functionality.
Via the cable, you are correct in your statement. You can also plug the iPod / phone into the armrest USB using the charging cable but there's a very slight loss in functionality, but not much (this is what I do currently).

That's great, thank you! What sort of functionality loss should I expect?

I'm coming from a Ford Fiesta which had a number of issues with playing music from my phone, so just wanted to check Audi's was a bit more well rounded.

 

[Rhys H]

Yes! but if you don't have Apple Car Play (which i don't think you will as its later cars) then you won't be able to browse the tracks or artists if via bluetooth or the MMI cable unless you have a your tracks saved to an SD Card. Both of those cars you showed in the links seem to have the Low MMI which is the base spec (i think). Its the same as my car. No browsing of artists at all. You need to do this on the phone. But bluetooth works well and you can use the steering wheel controls or MMI to control forwards/back/pause etc...

Nice cars though, Personally would go for the Sport spec if choosing between that and the SE. SE is poverty spec and looks pretty basic to me. The seats are lovely in the Sport.

Cheers for the info! So do you think the best option is to put all of my music on an SD card so I can browse the tracks and use all of the functionality to the best of its potential?

I'm going to try and get the Sport if possible, definitely a lot nicer from what I've seen

 

[Ormesome]

Cheers for the info! So do you think the best option is to put all of my music on an SD card so I can browse the tracks and use all of the functionality to the best of its potential?

I'm going to try and get the Sport if possible, definitely a lot nicer from what I've seen

I dont do it but lots do as they like to use the functionality. I use Spotify and bluetooth my music to the car. Works perfectly. Im usually with someone else in the car that can control the playlist or i choose one before i set off and shuffle the tracks as i drive using the steering wheel buttons. The ability to choose a playlist has never bothered me so i think its a minor detail.

Have you driven the 2? the seats look awful in the SE. like out of an old Escort. Cant imagine they give much support. My model is the Sport and i don't crave any extras that it doesn't have, but i think the SE has some real, every day essentials missed out there that will cost you quite a bit to retrofit when you realise how much you want them!!

 

[Rhys H]

I dont do it but lots do as they like to use the functionality. I use Spotify and bluetooth my music to the car. Works perfectly. Im usually with someone else in the car that can control the playlist or i choose one before i set off and shuffle the tracks as i drive using the steering wheel buttons. The ability to choose a playlist has never bothered me so i think its a minor detail.

Have you driven the 2? the seats look awful in the SE. like out of an old Escort. Cant imagine they give much support. My model is the Sport and i don't crave any extras that it doesn't have, but i think the SE has some real, every day essentials missed out there that will cost you quite a bit to retrofit when you realise how much you want them!!

Not these particular cars, but I've test drove a Sport nearer to where I live and I loved it.
I've compared the equipment lists and there certainly seems to be a lot less on the SE.
Hoping to go visit and buy that Sport one soon, just got to arrange a time to travel down

 

[lekky]

Get the Sport! I had the '13 plate version in Sport trim. The SE one looks pretty simple (ugly) in comparison.

Best bet is to hook the car up to your bluetooth, select a playlist and use the steering wheel button to skip tracks, or the centre console dial to flick back and forward between tracks.

 

[Rhys H]

Get the Sport! I had the '13 plate version in Sport trim. The SE one looks pretty simple (ugly) in comparison.

Best bet is to hook the car up to your bluetooth, select a playlist and use the steering wheel button to skip tracks, or the centre console dial to flick back and forward between tracks.

Nice, cheers!

In my current car I'm using an AUX cable which means I can't use the steering wheel controls to skip tracks, so was just really hoping the Bluetooth Streaming allowed me to use those controls, glad to see this is the case!

 

[lekky]

Yep! Works well with Calls too

(when i said centre console dial, i meant the volume dial)

 

[Audi Bairn]

That's great, thank you! What sort of functionality loss should I expect?

I'm coming from a Ford Fiesta which had a number of issues with playing music from my phone, so just wanted to check Audi's was a bit more well rounded.

Everything works in terms of controls, steering wheel buttons, voice commands, displays, album art etc.
The only issue, ands it's fairly minor albeit can be annoying, is that when it reaches the end of an album it starts at the very first album alphabetically again rather than the next one. It also intermittently starts at 'A' when you enter the car rather than the track you were on when you switched off.

 

[lekky]

Everything works in terms of controls, steering wheel buttons, voice commands, displays, album art etc.
The only issue, ands it's fairly minor albeit can be annoying, is that when it reaches the end of an album it starts at the very first album alphabetically again rather than the next one. It also intermittently starts at 'A' when you enter the car rather than the track you were on when you switched off.

That sounds like it's an issue with the music player in the phone? It should pick up and start playing whatever was last up when you opened the app?

Having said that I've only ever used Spotify on android, jump in the car and it starts playing where it left off.

 

[Audi Bairn]

That sounds like it's an issue with the music player in the phone? It should pick up and start playing whatever was last up when you opened the app?

Having said that I've only ever used Spotify on android, jump in the car and it starts playing where it left off.

It's an iPod Classic which is permanently in the car as I can't be @rsed plugging the phone in and out all the time.
But someone said previously this was a known issue with using this method.
I should've really got the correct cable from the dealer for the glove compartment but it came with the newer micro plug (like my phone) rather the older wide one on the iPod. Anyone know if an adapter would do the trick?

 

[RichardT]

Cheers for the info! So do you think the best option is to put all of my music on an SD card so I can browse the tracks and use all of the functionality to the best of its potential?

I'm going to try and get the Sport if possible, definitely a lot nicer from what I've seen

I would say definitely go for an sd card. I don't think I have heard anyone with problems with that.

And I would agree with everyone regarding go for the Sport. One thing to note is that, unless the Sport has the optional SE suspension it will be noticably harder ride, particularly on minor roads. I specced SE trim on my Sport for this reason.

 

[Rhys H]

I would say definitely go for an sd card. I don't think I have heard anyone with problems with that.

And I would agree with everyone regarding go for the Sport. One thing to note is that, unless the Sport has the optional SE suspension it will be noticably harder ride, particularly on minor roads. I specced SE trim on my Sport for this reason.

I've read a lot of reviews that say to opt for SE suspension. The one I'm after comes with Sports suspension. Is this something that is relatively easy/cheap to get changed after the fact?

 

[Ormesome]

Problem is, SE suspension makes the A3 look like its on stilts, especially if you get the A3 with smaller wheels. If you go to auto trader and check out some pics then you start to notice the difference. My Sport has the lowered Sport suspension. Doesn't seem hard. Defo not Rolls Royce smooth but its fine!

 

[lekky]

i have s-line model, suspension is fine.