Upgrading thr in car entertainment

FlashRed

FlashRed

New Member
Hi there - new member so apologies if this not particularly original but recently became the proud owner of 2004, 1.4 SE with just under 60k on the clock. Lovely runner and service showed no issues. I’m thinking of a number of interior upgrades but wanted to start with the in car system - wondered about recommendations - should speakers be changed - original not Bose- but all works well - and likely costs - and where to go - A2 is living in Brighton
 
Before you even think about this can you answer yes to the following....

Do you have at least 2 fully working remote keys?
Do you have a laptop and at least free VCDS Lite and either a cheap ebay KKL cable or the better Gendan cable?
Do you have a good electrical test meter preferably of the loop clamp type?
Do you have the owners manual as that answers most questions in its invaluable information?

As for the stereo Audi got it about right but the Bose system is better and is retrofitable.
 
Ohw my, I've got only 1 out of 4 on the above post....... Minus the loop clamp, am I in trouble now?

@FlashRed , GO for it if it sparks joy (your in car system), Positive vibes!
 
Welcome to the forum :)

I'd certainly second the owners' manual and a spare remote key, but the 1.4 petrol is one of the more reliable engines in the A2 so hopefully you won't need to be investigating fault codes in response to an engine light on any regular basis. That said, I'm not going to disagree with the recommendation, it's always worth having the diagnostic facilities in your pocket.

All non-BOSE A2 headunits output the rear channels to a separate amp, on cars with rear speakers. Also, from about '51 reg onwards, while rear speakers became standard, the second generation Audi headunits then fitted are activated by inputs across the car's CANbus network rather than a straight 12v power supply. These factors can complicate an aftermarket retrofit - added to which, the OEM fascias are wider than the standard single-DIN so you end up with spacers in many case, which don't help the already compromised appearance of a more modern unit in a 16-20 year old car. Speaker replacement has been done but again, Audi don't make it easy, by making them all pods screwed onto the inner metal doorcard, which needs to remain sealed against water ingress. Just as well then, that the OEM systems sound pretty good in their unmodified state, and there's always the BOSE upgrade for those who want more.
 
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Start off adding Bluetooth adaptor to the existing radio (it emulates the CD player, and plugs into the vacant CD Changer socket on the Audi radio (unless you have a CD Changer as an OEM option). Several plug and play kits are available, with or without hands free calls, and aux inputs. I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendation. The one I use, AnyCarLink 1080 B), is available on Amazon. There are many others.

USB SD AUX MP3 Adapter + Bluetooth Hands-Free System for VW Delta/Premium / R110 / RCD200 / Audi Chorus 2+/3 / Concert 2+/3 / Symphony 2+/3 / Navigation Plus 3 / RNS-E / BNS 5.0 / Skoda Rhapsody : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

USB SD AUX MP3 Adapter + Bluetooth Hands-Free System for VW Delta/Premium / R110 / RCD200 / Audi Chorus 2+/3 / Concert 2+/3 / Symphony 2+/3 / Navigation Plus 3 / RNS-E / BNS 5.0 / Skoda Rhapsody : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
www.amazon.co.uk
Mac.
 
My first ever post on this forum was pretty similar to the above, and I have learnt A LOT about the right way to go about stereo upgrades on A2s.

So to answer, I will pose a separate question - what do YOU want the stereo to be?

  • Sound better
  • Be more convenient (Play MP3s etc)
  • Have better display (SatNav etc)
Each requires different budgets and considerations. I've experienced myself how going down the wrong route can be costly, and without advise/experience you will end up with a compromise.

For example, people often end up changing the head unit to a non-Audi one because they want the MP3 convenience. This is (usually) disastrous for the sound quality.

Or I've seen people spending thousands on upgrading speakers/amps and adding subs etc, what they get is a big ol' mess of a boot, and hacked door cards - whereas a few hundred pounds will get you a BOSE system which in terms of sound quality is (for most at least) night and day over the already quite good sounding Audi OEM system.
 
sciroccorrado said:
My first ever post on this forum was pretty similar to the above, and I have learnt A LOT about the right way to go about stereo upgrades on A2s.

So to answer, I will pose a separate question - what do YOU want the stereo to be?

  • Sound better
  • Be more convenient (Play MP3s etc)
  • Have better display (SatNav etc)
Each requires different budgets and considerations. I've experienced myself how going down the wrong route can be costly, and without advise/experience you will end up with a compromise.

For example, people often end up changing the head unit to a non-Audi one because they want the MP3 convenience. This is (usually) disastrous for the sound quality.

Or I've seen people spending thousands on upgrading speakers/amps and adding subs etc, what they get is a big ol' mess of a boot, and hacked door cards - whereas a few hundred pounds will get you a BOSE system which in terms of sound quality is (for most at least) night and day over the already quite good sounding Audi OEM system.
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That's very good advice from @sciroccorrado Also consider aesthetics. Some of us (including me) like to keep the A2 looking close to it's original appearance, (this doesn't exclude sensible upgrades to brakes suspension etc). There is no better way to spoil, (my opinion only), the look of the interior, than by fitting an aftermarket radio?.
But, always remember, it's your car, and your opinion is the one that matters.
Enjoy it.
Mac.
 
Hi,
I'm in same shoe here.
I want to fit a single DIN with an Apple car play so that we can use a Google car navigations.

Sounds like A2 is very difficult to add after market stereo, if CANbus is looking for signal....
 
Evening,

Adding an aftermarket head unit isn’t the most difficult of tasks. You will of course lose the Infotainment display in the cluster if you have DIS. The backlit buttons will also not work until adapted also.

This thread has the answer how to pick up the switched live which some members have followed.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Just a thought. I find a Sony Tablet Z3 Compact fits perfectly on the central airvents. You can pick a decent one up from eBay for less than £100. Has all the features you need, and combined with a Bluetooth adapter you are good to go.
 
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