No rear parking aid on A4...but was advertised

**druidt1** · 01-09-2009,02:54 PM

Hi there,

I bought my first Audi (A4 3.0TDI 2008) last week from the local dealer. Have been a long time BMW owner and needed a change. Love the car so far.

The problem is that I have realised the car has no rear parking aid which was advertised in car spec. It is very important to me as getting out from my garage to the road can be difficult depending how my fellow members of the community have parked their viehicles.

I would never have bought the vehicle if I new it did not a rear parking system in some form.

I've talked to the garage and they have said they will retrofit this for me. Which is great. But I still feel 'cheated'.

I feel retrofit and factory fit are two different kettle of fishes here.

I paid for a car thinking I would get rear parking aid which was factory fitted but now will have a car with retrofitted sensors.

Am I being cheated? or not? Or should just thank the garage for honouring this and retrofitting?

Thanks.

**Plife** · 01-09-2009,02:59 PM

I agree that retrofit is not always the same as factory fit. There has been a few cases here where certain options have been left off of a car. Does your order state that it should have rear parking sensors? These are not standard, so if you paid for them you should definitely have them. If you did pay I would be looking for the dealer to retrofit and provide some sort of compensation!

At least they are trying to resolve the issue which is always a good step, but does not excuse it if they got it wrong to start with!

**robtt09** · 01-09-2009,03:03 PM

My 3.00tdi was retro fitted with rear parking sensors and work really well so do not worry.Just make sure they put colour coded ones on. The 3.00tdi is absolutely brilliant. Suits auto box fitted to mine.Quattro makes it one quick machine in any conditions

**Jop** · 01-09-2009,03:05 PM

Its an option and does not come as standard.

There are 3 parking options available.
Standard: Rear acoustic only
Plus: Front and rear with acoustic & graphic display
Mega: Front and rear with acoustic & graphic display and rear facing camera.

The standard is the only one that can be (will be) retrofitted by the dealer. From what I gather its a good enough system but you dont get the same oem button on the console to activate/deactivate the system.

**ScottyUK** · 01-09-2009,03:33 PM

Be very careful what they promise to retro fit. Keep in your mind that they'll try and put on a cheapo version and you won't go far wrong.

OEM kit is 100% flush. Often retro fit kits stand proud. Will you have the same controls to adjust volume/tone etc?

Is it a genuine Audi kit they're willing to put on.

You could be fine but be sceptical.

**kodkod.84** · 01-09-2009,03:44 PM

Was this an Audi Approved buy? I have noticed looking through various VW and Audi Approved listings that they often advertise options on the cars which are clearly not there in the photos. EG: Cruise Control and no stalk shown on the interior shot, or as in your case advertise PDC and no sensors shown on the rear shot of the car.

I've noticed this at least 10 times when looking around for cars on the website and it's quite appalling really.

**druidt1** · 01-09-2009,04:26 PM

Many thanks for your replies.

Just got back from work (first day with the audi) - was impressed with the drive. Powerful and quite pleased how it stuck to the motorway on bends.

Anyway, as for the rear parking aid. The car was bought from Stockport Audi Dealer. The Rear Parking Aid was advertised on the web which I have been following for months.

I had a choice of two cars on (other one had parking plus) but ending up with this as Stockport is local.

I'd like the retrofit to be connected to the MMI console so I can tinker with the controls. Is this possible with a retrofit?

So should I ask them exactly what they will be fitting into my car?

**druidt1** · 01-09-2009,04:29 PM

Originally Posted by robtt09

My 3.00tdi was retro fitted with rear parking sensors and work really well so do not worry.Just make sure they put colour coded ones on. The 3.00tdi is absolutely brilliant. Suits auto box fitted to mine.Quattro makes it one quick machine in any conditions

Hi robtt09,
Can you elaborate on what you mean by colour coded ones?

**kodkod.84** · 01-09-2009,04:42 PM

The little discs that fit flush with the bumper will be sprayed the same colour as your car. Cheapo ones will be just black plastic and also protrude slightly from the bumper.

**druidt1** · 01-09-2009,05:17 PM

Just got off the phone from Audi.

They said that a 3rd party would be coming in to install the system so it will not be Audi. I asked for a part number and they she said she would get this for me.

The sensors will be color coded but the system will not integrate with the MMI console.

Sounds a bit rubbish really.

Also, she said there was a disclaimer on the website which protects them from these kind of issues. But they are willing to install it anyway.