2007 A6 - MMI Upgrade Options - Bluetooth (Music & Phone) / Aux / TV?

[rjsdavis]

Hello to all

Now that I've got my air-con working, I wouldn't mind looking at what I can do to improve the connectivity of the MMI 2G system that is installed. At the moment, I have the factory options of the boot-installed sat-nav, and the glovebox installed 6CD changer.

The car came with a CK3100 Parrot system installed, but this appears to be dead. Yes, it's a dead Parrot.

Instead of fixing, it seems to me better to take the opportunity to try, ideally, to upgrade with a genuine Audi bluetooth module from a breaker to add the functionality? The features I'm looking for are:

* Hands-Free calling
* Music streaming from handset via Bluetooth

I've spent the last few hours pouring over loads of fourms and threads. I've watched an interesting video showing an aftermarket Aux upgrade into the A6 glovebox, which is ok, but not really "factory" if you know what I mean. I've seen a few people speaking highly of "turbo_herbie" on eBay that sells a genuine MMI to AMI upgrade kit. I've not quite got to the bottom of what features AMI adds, but it doesn't appear to be bluetooth phone prep / music streaming...

I've also read the mammoth MMI Basic to MMI High upgrade (which was nuts!), but this doesn't quite answer my question either! Does anyone know if the bluetooth hands-free calling / music streaming can be added?

I'm aware that I can get a PURE DAB unit from Halfords that will do a similar job. However, I'd far rather have a gen Audi solution with full integration into MMI and not an additional screen planted onto the air-vents.

I've also been looking at aftermarket FISCON units, which appear to offer full MMI integration, but appears to be for bluetooth hands-free calling only (i.e. not music streaming also?)

Any help would be much appreciated! As always, if I find out the answers myself, I'll post up here for others to benefit from...

[rjsdavis]

BTW - here are all of the links that I've read so far on the topic, or reasonably close to it:

MMI Basic to MMI High upgrade - Page 6

VW Audi Forum - The #1 Volkswagen (VW) Forum Dedicated to the whole Volkswagen (VW) Group

Bluetooth & SIM Card and great service.

VW Audi Forum - The #1 Volkswagen (VW) Forum Dedicated to the whole Volkswagen (VW) Group (AMI Upgrade from Multi-CD)

A6 4F OEM Bluetooth Retrofit Manual - Audi A6 Retrofit Blog

AUX Install Audi A6 05-09 MMI2 - Also for A8 & Q7 - YouTube

Newbie question - retrofit bluetooth/ipod to 2008 A6 | Audi-Sport.net

[rjsdavis]

Ok... so, no-one replied to this. That's a shame :-(

Research. I'll throw up some posts that might be helpful to others that are seeking the same thing as me. I started off wanting two things:

1 - Fully integrated bluetooth that is integrated into the MMI 2G High system in my car

2 - That same bluetooth system being capable of music streaming from the phone handset

I also didn't want an extra screen in the car sitting on the air-vents like a Parrot system or even the Pure Digital radio upgrade (not interested in digital radio particularly as the signal quality seems to be pretty poor and patchy). I'll throw up a post per reply to make it easier to follow...

[rjsdavis]

Option 1

Overall, probably the most cost effective option to deliver what I want and need:

FISCON PRO

FISCON Bluetooth Freisprecheinrichtung

This delivers full integration into the MMI 2G system and bluetooth streaming. It is £349 from a seller on eBay. The only main downside is that it is not genuine Audi kit, but does seem to be of high German manufacturing quality, as I'm mostly reading very positive reviews about Fiscon/Kufatec kit.

It also appears to be "plug and play" - at least that's what the manufacturer claims! It's possible that this is, in fact, a home-fit job that may not require an extra £100 installation from a specialist.... That would be a real bonus.

I've just found the original FISCON installation instuctions from Kufatec.de - skimming through them, this does indeed look like a largely "plug & play" installation, with no system element removals, or wire cutting required as far as I can see - I like this installation...

https://www.smartworldcompany.com/wp...G-englisch.pdf

I don't know if anyone can tell if VCDS will activate this new system device in the way that the instructions show on Page 10 of the installation guide?

[rjsdavis]

Option 2

Dension Gateway 500S BT (GW52M01)

Dension Gateway 500S BT iPod/USB Bluetooth Car Kit - GW52MO1 (Single FOT)

This is probably the second best option overall. It's £299 from the link provided, and I had an online chat with Dension tech support. Despite the website indicating that you need the dual FOT version if you wish to remain using your 6CD multi-changer, the tech support confirmed that this is true for all cars except Audi's with MMI 2G High. (that's not confusing then!). The good news is that A6 owners get to spend a bit less on the unit.

It comes with everything that I wanted and more; bluetooth hands-free calling, bluetooth audio streaming, usb/aux hard cable input etc. Overall, as comprehensive as you'd want and far better than Audi's own AMI upgrade.

The downside is that it does seem to need pro-installation, so factor on a further £100-120 for the install. Expectation is therefore £400-420 all in. The installation instructions are here, so you can have a look for yourself. The instructions describe themselves as "very complicated". I'm not sure 100% that I buy that, but the good news is that Dension claim that their unit does not require any coding in Audi's to function and integrate:

http://www.dension.com/files/g52-920...manual-web.pdf

[Lukenkarl]

.

[rjsdavis]

Option 3

Overall, possibly the best kit and highest quality solution:

MObridge M2.Connect

https://www.mobridge.co.uk/mobridge-..._connect_most/

This seems to offer, pretty much the same spec as the FISCON Pro above, but is not plug and play and will require a professional installation. As far as I can tell, the only people in the UK to supply and fit MObridge kit, is CarTronics in Byfleet in Surrey. I've been in contact with them, and their sales contact can be best described as "curt". Therefore, if they're curt when they're trying to sell you something, what are they going to be like when you need some after-sales service/support?! This put me off them greatly. This device is also more expensive than the FISCON at £450 (contacted them eBay). It was a further £125 to fit it, as it requires a pro installation and activation within the MMI 2G system.

[rjsdavis]

Option 4

Even better, is the:

MObridge M2.Pro MOST

M2.Pro MOST - Mobridge UK

This is essentially the same as the M2.Connect above, but offers an additional cable (USB & iPhone) functionality so that you can physically connect a device to play music as well as streaming music via Bluetooth. Personally, if you've got bluetooth music streaming, I can't see the need for the physical cable as well. It seems like an overly expensive and unnecessary luxury. It's also £599 (plus a further £125 for installation), so not even in the running for me.

[Lukenkarl]

.

[rjsdavis]

Option 5

A sort of OK solution is:

Audi AMI upgrade

turbo_herbie on eBay

found two main sources for this. I started with "turbo_herbie" that a few people were talking about here on this forum as a supplier. He seems like an ok sort of chap, and he's selling these genuine Audi units for £393 on eBay.

They're ok, and of course the big positive is that they are genuine Audi kit. However, they would need to be pro-installed and activated. As far as I can tell, you can still use the 6CD multi-changer in the glovebox as well. Basically, this is "dated" kit for me now, as what it adds is a hard cable, that allows you to physically connect either an iPod/iPhone or USB device to it, so that you can stream music. It is fully integrated so that you can control the music from the MMI controller