Ami/mmi/mp3/usb!!!

[andrewpagey]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and want to kick off with my first (and obviously most important!) question... all about MP3 connectivity.

I ordered my A4 2.0 120pk S-line 5 months ago. I must add I now live and work in Belgium, where the s-line pack doesn't even include the xenons! The car should be with me in the next month or so, and I want to get my music ready to go on the B&O system.

I've ordered the 'full' satnav pack. It comes with a 6-cd changer. I've heard some people saying the top-of-the-range pack does not include SD card ports - is this true? If so, I'm gutted as this is obviously the way forward.

Could someone explain the difference between MMI, AMI, and what you expect my car will have for playing my MP3s. I can't understand a word of the Belgian brochure and the spec seems quite different to UK in a lot of places.

The sales rep also said s-line includes black headlining and colour screen in between the dials - is this true of UK-spec?

I'm counting the days now, but worried I'm going to be flipping through my IPod all day long and get quite distracted. I flip through tracks a lot and was at least hoping to do it with the steering wheel controls!

Cheers

Andy

[onemanparty]

AMI = Audi Music Interface which will be in the glovebox - You will need to buy a cable to connect your IPOD (Unless its free over there?)

MMI = Multi Media Interface Which will be all the button by the gear leveler i.e. Radio, Nav, Car, Phone etc

SD Cards I am unsure and I used to have a B8 A4 Sline - Had AMI but never used it, Still using CD's

[A1287210]

You are quite right that the SD slot disappears when you upgrade to a full SAT NAT 6 - CD changer. Very disappointing. There is enough space on the console to put one somewhere, in fact, I wouldn't mind if it was in the boot I would be able to fit so many tracks on it I would hardly ever need to take it out. I could then leave a couple of CD spaces for the rubbish my wife wants to listen to.

Come on Audi....

[andrewpagey]

Damn. Why do I pay more for less? Guess I will still be burning CDs then.

Please tell me it plays MP3 CDs with track titles?!

[rd1]

Hi,
as already said no SD slot with the 2K MMI high!! what a backward step by Audi.
I was so disappointed that I went for a retro fit of the AMI which works really well with the Ipod and provides the full control, which the additional Aux connection,apparently provided instead of the SD cards did not.
I did try burning CDs but limited success I hardly ever use the cd player now and seems to me that Audi really got this wrong. IMO they should have removed the CD multi player and but definitely kept the SDs facility.
all this aside its a fantastic car so sure you will enjoy.
Roger

[MPV]

If you have the AMI you can also buy an extra cable that allows you to connect an external USB HD (USB-powered) or a USB memory stick. The latter, I suspect, will allow you to exceed the 2 or 4 GB SD card limit easily (I haven't tried, but since I've seen reports of USB HDs working, I assume this will also be ok). These cables are about 30 Euro's in NL - so probably the same in B.

I've got an 80 GB iPod connected - control via the steering wheel works, but it is slow (with many tracks) and quite distracting while driving. I may ditch the iPod at some stage for an 8 or 16 GB USB stick.

Michiel

[JohnH99]

Yes, the CD changer plays MP3's with track names etc although I use a 250 gb USB drive on the AMI. I still object to paying extra for the cable after paying for the AMI though. I have ripped most of my CDs as either MP3's or WMA's and the AMI plays them perfectly and the sound through the B & O is excellent. It also displays the artist, album name and track name in the display and you can control it via the MMI or the steering wheel controls although scrolling through the list can be a bit tedious at times. The only slight drawback with this system is that the disc data isn't instantly available when you start the car unlike the radio or CD. It can be a few minutes before the music starts.

[Audi Happy]

This is interesting i did not realise you could connect a memory stick via the ami. I've just filled my 4GB sd card and used that but i might adopt the memory stick idea so i'm not limited to 4GB. what is the cable i need usb to ?????

Cheers
J

[troc]

Audi UK are now selling the AMI including an iPod and USB cable as standard so no more annoying 30 pounds cable purchase.....

In fact I just had my car price reduced because they now do a technology pack of Sat Nav + Cruise + AMI (and cables) with a decent saving.

On the other hand, I was a little miffed to be told that the S4 "super" sports seats require the additional "option" of a throughload skihatch and bag thing. Now I almost got this anyway as I ski and 'board but I didn't in the end - and now it's forced on me. I checked and it's a world-wide thing, not just the UK dealer being pushy.

The question remains, why exactly do the S4 specific front seats require the addition of a hatch in the rear seats?

John

[mkc]

Troc - I can only imagine that upgrading the front seats mean they have to put macthing seats/leather etc in the back, probably making it more of a 2+2 than a 2+3 in the back lay out. Does seem crazy tho getting fancy seats in the front and then pushing on you a charged option ski "hole"

Im not currently lucky/working hard enough to find out!

Andrew- the DIS between the dials is colour in the UK on the S Line. However I think this is true for all A4s and its the "MMI" screen that is monochrome on the "standard" UK spec. SE and S Line have a colour screen. The US market has a red colour only DIS even on the S Line. A chap in www.audiforums.com (http://www.audiforums.com) has a new S Line and its the red colour altho they have weird options of external and internal S line packages. Im glad in the UK its more clear cut on what you get with the S Line package.

[andrewpagey]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Time will tell to see what I actually ordered!

My only other surprise on the A4 was the lack of LED rear lights. Especially as now the new A3 has some quite fancy ones. You would expect it on the A4. I've seen some discussions on the board about purchasing them. Does any trim include them? S4 only?

Anyway, pre-delivery moans aside, I can't wait.

[jakerade]

If you want AMI and havent ordered it try and get a spec change as its at least £500 to retrofit it. I have a 120Gb iPod and it works fine though can be slow occasionally.

[a8 tech]

well if you ask me i may do it for you lol

[drmartin]

Audi UK are now selling the AMI including an iPod and USB cable as standard so no more annoying 30 pounds cable purchase.....


John

Thats really interesting, will report if I get these connection cables when I receive my new ride (4 months and still waiting!) actually, just getting the car would be good. 12/2 latest forcast

[Red 2]

well if you ask me i may do it for you lol

Funny you should mention that....:biglaugh:

[ScottyUK]

Thats really interesting, will report if I get these connection cables when I receive my new ride (4 months and still waiting!) actually, just getting the car would be good. 12/2 latest forcast

The latest brochure suggests they're not included but my dealer said he'd make sure I got one :D

[troc]

The latest brochure suggests they're not included but my dealer said he'd make sure I got one :D

Here's a clipping from the Jan 2009 A4 brochure (page 42) ......

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8832/amiwg6.th.jpg (http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=amiwg6.jpg)

So as far as I can see you should be getting to cables......

John

[ScottyUK]

It's weird. It says "An Adaptor cable is required at additional cost."

Then it goes on to say "Includes 2 cables to connect your iPod or USB MP3 device)"

:confused:

[troc]

I think (after having a chat to my salesman blokey) that it's been adapted in a hurry (oddly, the AMI has a new code - and the code is different if you look at the Tech. pack rather he AMI itself). There are a number of spelling mistakes and oddities. In this case it looks like they just added the last part recently without reading what was there already.

One thing they did improve was the clarity around the S4 Sports Diff - before it seemed to imply that it came with the dynamic steering but NEVER with the adaptive suspension. In fact it came with everything. They've changed it so you can have it with or without the suspension (but always with the steering....)

They've also added a list of random dealer-fit stuff to the back, the executive trim levels and the "tecnhology packs". Oh and you can now spec the S4 with the stupid you are going to sleep camera that vibrates your wheel if you drift out of lane......

Oh and you have to spec the ski-bag if you spec the special S4 seats.

It't not a great brochure really. I'd love to be able to download more info about what the various radio options do (i.e. do they have LW?), what the MMI will let me adjust, how many settings the memory seats have etc etc.....

John

[a8 tech]

as of 2009 ami is supplied with ipod and usb lead from launch

[ScottyUK]

Any idea what "An Adaptor cable is required at additional cost." relates to? :confused:

[drmartin]

AMI = Audi Music Interface which will be in the glovebox - You will need to buy a cable to connect your IPOD (Unless its free over there?)

They are free in the UK, got both Ipod and USB cables when collecting the car.

[Red 2]

Must admit that the retrofit AMI combined with an old 80 gb iPod has proven an enormous hit with the family...no more arguments over what music is in the car etc. Folders easy to navigate and the new glovebox housing keeps the iPod snug and secure and away from prying eyes. So despite A8 tech's concerns over the music content of my Ipod, peace has broken out in the R2 panzer.

BUT if you retrofit AMI to an early 2008 A4, make sure that your dealer REALLY knows what they are doing or, better still, kidnap A8 tech!:biglaugh:.

And, yes, the retrofit came with the spare usb cable for other mp3 players....