DAB Radio upgrade ??

[mghassey]

Browsing through the threads reminded me of a query I have and cannot easily see the answer anywhere.
I have a 2009 A4 SE Avant with standard Concert radio. Atthe time the DAB option took me well over my (wife's) budget.
Shortly after taking delivery I had a "finger trouble" problem with the whole MMI / Infotainment thing and in the process of sorting this out asked the Audi Service Adviser about a future upgrade to digital radio.
Can't be done! was the response.
Now, I totally disagree with it and fail to see any useful purpose BUT the Government are still talking about turning FM off one day and going fully DAB.
So what then??
I can't really envisage Audi leaving all their customers radio less - or can I????????

I can't be the first to think about this, any views out there??

Mike

[a8 tech]

You can retro fit dab, but the dealer will not undertake this and its not cheap

Concert radio with dab part number 8T1 057 186 A £600 PLUS

You also need the coax cable and the amplifier for the rear window 8K9 035 225A

Its not straight forward and the integration of the added concert radio with dab will cause network issues when factory updates are required

But it can be done

try http://www.richtersport.co.uk/

[mghassey]

Thanks for that.
I guessed that where there's a will there's a way.
But I don't think that I've ever seen a case wher the word "cheap" applies in the same discussion as the word Audi anyway!
Hopefully if & when this ever happens Audi will rethink their policy on this.

[certacito]

There are already DAB radios available for in car use (Pure highway) which will re-broadcast the RX'd DAB onto your in car FM radio for around £60 or cheaper.

There will be loads of aftermarket solutions as the switchover date approaches, all far cheaper if not as neat as retro fitting an Audi solution.

[Pimped-Passat]

Depends on how long you're keeping the car I suppose. The 2015 switch-over date sounds, at best, ambitious.

http://news.techworld.com/personal-tech/3229952/dab-radio-switchover-will-depend-on-uptake/

I'd worry about it when it happens, and I'd bet you've got a new car (complete with DAB) by then anyway!!

Cheers
Radio2Mark