Retrofit DAB - 2012 Q5?

[Gavstar]

Hi all

What is the best retrofit option for DAB in a facelift Q5 S Line Plus? I don't want a dash-mounted thing, and would like the most integrated option available, within reason price-wise.

[Raven Flyer]

Seriously do not bother. I had it as a factory fit on my A6 C6 and it was dire. The signal strength of the transmitters is rubbish and the bandwidth of the signal means anything other than voice sounds like it comes from a £10 transistor radio.

The future is internet radio and you can run this from the MyAudi app on your phone. This is better than DAB in every single way.

[youngsyr]

Completely disagree - I retrofitted DAB to my 2007 S6 (C6) a month ago and have been enjoying crystal clear DAB radio ever since. The choice of stations is huge and I have only had a very occasional and very short (1 second) drop out when driving around.

The cost is minimal and it's very easy to do. I picked up the DAB module on eBay for around £70, plus an antenna for £10 and the piggy back cables were around £40 (also from eBay). Took me less than 15 minutes to fit it.

You do need the coding software and cable though, but again these are well worth picking up anyway for fault diagnostics and clearing fault codes. Again, you can pick up the software + cable for around £50 on eBay.

[Dr G]

Doing it with all genuine bits:

http://hazzydayz.com/genuine-audi-mmi-3g-dab-radio...

[Gavstar]

Dr G said:

Doing it with all genuine bits:

http://hazzydayz.com/genuine-audi-mmi-3g-dab-radio...

Much appreciated. The car I am currently looking at has the DVD based SatNav, which I am now learning is inferior to the HDD system. Is this true and how inferior is it? Where can I find a list of S Line and Plus specs and some info about the various options? I don't to end up with some annoyingly under-specced options that will bother me and make the car less desirable come resale time.

[MattS5]

DAB was rubbish in my Discovery, however since I've had the S5 over the last 2 weeks I've had no issue whatsoever with signal, and that's in the sticks within Norfolk!
It also had no issues on the drive to Stamford bridge at the weekend either, clear signal all the way.

[Gavstar]

I'm now looking at a full after-market upgrade of the Satnav too - something along these lines, as the car I am looking at has DVD Satnav which I think is going to be too basic (the car is 100 miles away so I haven't seen it yet):

http://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/alpine-style-audi/...

Any thoughts or views on a system like this?

[MrBarry123]

I can vouch for hazzydayz's work - they're a top notch outfit.

[youngsyr]

Gavstar said:

I'm now looking at a full after-market upgrade of the Satnav too - something along these lines, as the car I am looking at has DVD Satnav which I think is going to be too basic (the car is 100 miles away so I haven't seen it yet):

http://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/alpine-style-audi/...

Any thoughts or views on a system like this?

I'd at least check the Sat Nav system out before writing it off - the DVD based one in my 2007 S6 is perfectly adequate and recent maps are cheap to come by (<£20).

As for stereo, I would try to find a car with the optional extra stereo system - retrofitting better stereo is usually expensive and fraught with difficulties in modern high end German cars.

[shtu]

Dr G said:

Doing it with all genuine bits:

http://hazzydayz.com/genuine-audi-mmi-3g-dab-radio...

Factory DAB is perfectly good (and far better than non-oem ones). I've used the MMI2G and 3G systems, and generally speaking the audio quality is absolutely fine. It automatically drops back to FM in areas that the signal is poor.

If you're a handy sort DIY isn't difficult, and the parts can all be found on eBay quite easily. IIRC I retrofitted this for about £150 all-in - module, antenna, wiring.

Edit - I know someone who got a price for one of the Alpine units to upgrade a non-MMI A4, and was quoted approx. £1200 installed. I'd try the factory DAB first.

[Dr G]

Yup, the factory DAB is excellent. I drive a Q5 with it currently and cannot think of a single occasion on which it has been less then perfect. Even switches regional stations quickly.

Gavstar - send me a message and I'll bounce the brochures back to you as PDFs so you can have a look through what was available.

[SteBrown91]

Gavstar said:

I'm now looking at a full after-market upgrade of the Satnav too - something along these lines, as the car I am looking at has DVD Satnav which I think is going to be too basic (the car is 100 miles away so I haven't seen it yet):

http://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/alpine-style-audi/...

Any thoughts or views on a system like this?

I'd check with Alpine but I'm sure that upgrade is for non mmi nav cars, don't think it's compatible with existing mmi system

[silentbrown]

Raven Flyer said:

The future is internet radio and you can run this from the MyAudi app on your phone.

Yes, but unfortunately NOT the present, unless you drive entirely within 3G enabled zones and are happy burning up your mobile's data allowance on it. DAB coverage seems surprisingly robust by comparison, and you get the "fallback" to FM as well.

I can't think of a single good thing to say about the myAudi app. Just use any regular app and stream via bluetooth.