Car multimedia for Audi A3

Mar4ix

Hi guys, just looking for some feedback of multimedia radios from China. I am looking to get some car multimedia for my audi a3, 2008. There is plenty of choices in china shops, from 130 euro and up, but not really sure it does work as them says. Main things what i am looking for is bluetooth connection - phone handfree and music streaming, descent audio output also compatibility to my car. Anyone had tried them?

Thanks

tossy

Recently was in the same boat with a 2008 S3, i ended up buying a pioneer apple play ( i believe it has android auto too) headhunt, delighted with it so far.

It cost a bit more than the Chinese stuff but from everything i've seen and read on the Chinese headhunts you'll end up being something else in a few months as they are crap.

Mar4ix

tossy wrote: »

Recently was in the same boat with a 2008 S3, i ended up buying a pioneer apple play ( i believe it has android auto too) headhunt, delighted with it so far.

It cost a bit more than the Chinese stuff but from everything i've seen and read on the Chinese headhunts you'll end up being something else in a few months as they are crap.

Thanks for replay. Just wondering where did you bought it? Online or in halfords? I am more towards branded stuff, but when run through their websites, it does not specify fit audi a3. So obviously you had to get adapter, and some facial radio adapter to fit in to car. Could you post a picture, how does it look like?

Thanks.

tossy

Mar4ix wrote: »

Thanks for replay. Just wondering where did you bought it? Online or in halfords? I am more towards branded stuff, but when run through their websites, it does not specify fit audi a3. So obviously you had to get adapter, and some facial radio adapter to fit in to car. Could you post a picture, how does it look like?

Thanks.

I purchased it in Halfords i went for the SPH DA 120, it was the bottom of the range but i think it looks the best out of them all with fewer buttons on the actual face of the unit.

You'll need a fitting kit like this one http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/install-adaptors/audi/a3/connects2-ctkau10-audi-a3-2004-2012-single-double-din-radio-installation-kit you'll need to specify pioneer when choosing the steering wheel patch lead.

It was a pig of a job to fit, not one i'd tackle again soon but works a treat when in.

Not a great pic ...

Mar4ix

tossy wrote: »

I purchased it in Halfords i went for the SPH DA 120, it was the bottom of the range but i think it looks the best out of them all with fewer buttons on the actual face of the unit.

You'll need a fitting kit like this one http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/install-adaptors/audi/a3/connects2-ctkau10-audi-a3-2004-2012-single-double-din-radio-installation-kit you'll need to specify pioneer when choosing the steering wheel patch lead.

It was a pig of a job to fit, not one i'd tackle again soon but works a treat when in.

Not a great pic ...

Ok, thanks. Had a look on that website on radios, and it is seems to reasonably priced, willing pay 100 more for branded, than Chinese unknown stuff. Cheers.

adr_sullivan

Hi tossy,

Have just bought a 2008 a3 and I am looking to do something similar as what you have. I have a few questions that you might be able to help with

The unit you have will that run spotify and waze (both would be very useful for me)
I have been told there is an amp in the boot, did you have to do any separate wiring for this.

Thanks

tossy

adr_sullivan wrote: »

Hi tossy,

Have just bought a 2008 a3 and I am looking to do something similar as what you have. I have a few questions that you might be able to help with

The unit you have will that run spotify and waze (both would be very useful for me)
I have been told there is an amp in the boot, did you have to do any separate wiring for this.

Thanks

Yes will run Waze and spotify, i don't use wake myself.

If the car has rear speakers and a sub then there will be an amp in the boot to power these, you will need an adapter to fit and then there is a wire that needs to be tapped into to send a signal to the amp to power up - it's not power for the amp but just a signal wire. You may also need different adapters based on if it's a bose or non bose system, you can get a fitting kit with everything you need including cage - facia surround and a patch lead for steering wheel buttons from the site i linked above.

adr_sullivan

tossy wrote: »

Yes will run Waze and spotify, i don't use wake myself.

If the car has rear speakers and a sub then there will be an amp in the boot to power these, you will need an adapter to fit and then there is a wire that needs to be tapped into to send a signal to the amp to power up - it's not power for the amp but just a signal wire. You may also need different adapters based on if it's a bose or non bose system, you can get a fitting kit with everything you need including cage - facia surround and a patch lead for steering wheel buttons from the site i linked above.

Thanks for that. Will have a look in Halfords and see if they still have that radio.
Going to check see if I have an amp as well (I hope not)

adr_sullivan

So I had a look in Halfords and they don't have what I want. Any of the units they have you need the phone connected to run the apps like Spotify.

What I am trying to find is something that I can run the apps on locally. I don't really want to go down the chinese android head unit route but looks as if I have limited choice.

Anyone have any suggestions by any chance

Thanks

colm_mcm

Get a cheapo smartphone specifically for the car and install Spotify/whatever onto it? You’d obviously need data for Spotify unless you’re storing playlists etc offline.

celticsfan

adr_sullivan wrote: »

So I had a look in Halfords and they don't have what I want. Any of the units they have you need the phone connected to run the apps like Spotify.

What I am trying to find is something that I can run the apps on locally. I don't really want to go down the chinese android head unit route but looks as if I have limited choice.

Anyone have any suggestions by any chance

Thanks

I am not sure if it will fit into your car,but I was looking at units as I got one installed recently..I didn't get this model but maybe if your budget allows,something like a Kenwood DDX9717BTS might work...it has two ways to mirror your phone onto the head units screen...either via the hdmi to MHL cable if your phone has MHL support...


Also you can get a HDMI dongle from Kenwood which will let you mirror your phone to the screen without any wires but I'd imagine it would eat the battery of your phone fairly rapid...

9935452

In my experience halfords is overpriced for car radios.
If they have what you want find it online and pay a half or a third for it.
I bought a radio a few years back for 250. Saw it online a month later for 70.
I find pixmania can be good

omb0wyn5ehpij9

9935452 wrote: »

In my experience halfords is overpriced for car radios.
If they have what you want find it online and pay a half or a third for it.
I bought a radio a few years back for 250. Saw it online a month later for 70.
I find pixmania can be good

I've found it depends on the stereo. In a lot of cases, they can be more expensive, but there are definitely times when they are cheaper. I am looking at a Pioneer double din at the moment in Halfords and can't find it cheaper anywhere else