MMI Unit Versions Explained.

[DavidB8]

There are a lot of people who don’t seem to understand what they have or what it’s called.

For the most part there are two versions of the MMI.

MMI High and MMI Low. Now as time progresses the MMI high version goes through revision Changes. This has been described as 2G and 3G meaning 2nd generation and 3rd generation.

So what is what..

Well if you have a Navigation you have MMI high and if not MMI low. The MMI high units are very easy to distinguish because they have controls around the shifter instead of on the dash.

So which MMI High version do you have.

Well for the B8 there are 3 versions.. 2G, 3G and now 4G.

The 2 G is very easy to figure out, it has a DVD run Navigation system and a CD changer in the dash. The 2G was in production from the 2008 to 2009 model years. Keep in mind, MODEL years not production. The 2010 cars where released in 2009 with a different unit.

The 3G came into production in late 2009 for the 2010 MODEL year. You can tell this unit by the fact that you don’t need a DVD for the NAV as it’s a Harddrive based system and it also has 2 SD card slots hidden behind a panel on the main dash unit.

The 4G is much harder to nail down. It came into production in 2011 for the 2012 model year A5 and will be released for the 2013 A4. It has 2 less buttons on the controls and includes a SIM slot on the main dash unit for use of the new Google Maps system and Internet functionality.

So what does this mean? Well if your looking for the hidden mystery menu you better make sure you have an MMI high unit. No one has discovered one for the Low system. Mainly since the menu is in the MMI high module (5F) and the same module is not used in the MMI low cars.

To make things more difficult there are different versions of the High unit available for the ROW cars. They include SIM slots on the 2 and 3G units for Audi’s advanced phone prep kits. So if you see a unit with a SIM slot in a ROW car don’t assume it’s a 4G until you count the buttons. Here in North America you wont see a SIM slot in a North American car unless it’s 4G or a retrofit Euro MMI.

I hope this ends some of the confusion. Please remember this is for the B8 model line. Audi’s higher models come with the higher units sooner so the model years will not line up for say the A6.

[UmIsThisThingOn]

Very well thought out post. A lot better than the Finnish page

[k9lovr]

Awesome info thanks for the explanation

[GeorgeGXG]

The 3G came into production in late 2009 for the 2010 MODEL year. You can tell this unit by the fact that you don’t need a DVD for the NAV as it’s a Harddrive based system and it also has 2 SD card slots hidden behind a panel on the main dash unit.

Hello David,
There are two types of MMI 3G: MMI Navigation 3G and MMI Navigation Plus 3G.
MMI Navi 3G is based on DVD and the other is like you said, based on Harddrive system and both of them have the 2 SD card slots hidden behind a panel on the main dash unit.
I am telling this because I have a my 2010 B8 and the Navigation is not working when the DVD is not inside.

You will see in the link all the navi systems that are on Audi A4 : http://www.audi.de/de/brand/de/servi...ner=layerModal

LE: It's amazing what you did to your car

Greetings, George

[DavidB8]

I stayed away from most of the variations for ROW cars since most of the people who have the confusion only have access to 2 systems. Nav and Non. There is also a 2G basic with non colour screen and a non shifter located controls. Plus there is an enhanced version as I mentioned with built in GSM vs non...

[ACowabunga]

Thanks David. I can see myself referring back to this thread from time to time in the future.

[Speycaster]

Thanks David. That explanation is by far the best I have seen. This should be made a sticky in the tech section!

[Pared]

Definitely something for the tech section - great explanation.

[routertyty]

Will the 4G MMI be available as an aftermarket upgrade?

[DavidB8]

Hard to say. I'm sure someone will look into tit. Until we know more about the unit and how it integrates into the car no promises. It uses a higher definition screen than the current, different controls and who knows about gauge version.. I'm sure someone will make a kit but expect a retrofit to land around 4-5K It will be 2 years minimum before parts start showing up at a reasonable price on ebay.

[DavidB8]

Thanks David. That explanation is by far the best I have seen. This should be made a sticky in the tech section!

Thanks David. I can see myself referring back to this thread from time to time in the future.

Definitely something for the tech section - great explanation.

Thanks Guys, I'd do something just a little more in depth on my own site but it's kind of hands off at the moment as it prepares to go under the knife so to speak. I hope it helps out here though.

[millerns]

This is a great post, really clears up the difference in MMI's. Thanks for posting this, I'll refer to it quite often!