New 3G Plus MMI in 2010 Retrofit

[DavidB8]

Ok, because 3 threads where merged the time line is a little screwy unitl you get about half way through. In order to give new comers an idea of whats going on I'm redoing the first post which is from an older thread. I'll delete some of the ramlings from previous threads as well so it's not as hard to figure out.

A brief history. I ordered a new MMI, controls and radio to attempt a retro fit. Now before the parts even shipped I got word that I may be ok with the current radio and AMP even though they are different part numbers.

Now I've had a spare MMI unit on my shelf for about 6 months now. I thought it was an original 3G plus unit from Europe that was released in small numbers when the 3G was first released. I believed it was the European holy grail that supported phone SIM and bluetooth.

Well I couldn't be more wrong. With my car in protection right now due to a glitch in the system I figured no harm in putting the European unit in for testing. At the very least see how the NAV would handle a different continent.

Well low and behold, this entire time my Hybrid Q5 European module was actually a US unit!!.. So whats with that SIM card slot and phone antenna aerial connection... GOOGLE MAPS!!

So beleive it or not, plug and play. A couple of my MMI control buttons are wrong but all in all it works. Not sure if rewiring would fix that but I doubt it.

So I was in awe... Couldn't believe it. Ran inside and grabbed a sim card and started capturing images. I managed to convert the unit to A4 instead of Hybrid Q5 and enabled a few things. I only spent 20 minutes on it so lots of settings to sort out but it seems to work perfect.

I do have protection going on in my car right now so my radio cuts out ever few seconds but that's expected just like my CD changer. So lots of testing and playing to go but my parking camera and on screen sensor display works no problem. I can adjust all the normal settings you would expect.. Here are some pics from the unit in my car with nothing more than swapping the head unit.

Secret menu worked with me enabling it. Odd.





















Cool huh :)
Edit:
OK so a little more playing before I get some sleep.

It seems you can use a SIM card with a data plan to get online. Problem is my phone antenna isn't hooked up yet so it gets no signal. Some neat finds though. With a SIM in the car you can share a data connection with other devices. The MMI had a built in wireless access point.

I was also able to stream Audio via bluetooth to the unit and actually play music without it cutting out due to the protection on my radio. All very cool. Slowly figuring this out.

More Pics.

You can enable and change the wireless access point. I left most default for testing and I could connect my ipod to the wireless connection.







Bluetooth Streaming:





Edit:
Here is a picture of the controls I managed to order for my retrofit. Can't wait to get them.

[dscline]

As some kind of software update, or buying new parts?

[dscline]

I wasn't sure if you were talking about a cosmetic change (ie updated graphics) or a functional change (google maps, wifi, etc.). But now I understand you must be talking about the latter. Though as I understand it, to reap most of the benefits of the the functional differences requires a data service, correct?

[Brad Kane]

i'd be very interested! Subscribed

[Stubek]

David, you are the craziest person I know, and that is why I you

[Highlander1010]

I'm very interested.

Subscribed.

[iconoclast]

The reason the 3G is important is becasue you don't have to change your screen. There is a rumour there are a lot of other stuff you don' t have to change with the 3G either so it may be a pretty easy 10 minute upgrade.

if that is the case i would be interested along with a proper k04/bt kit. neither seem to be a worthwhile reality. hopefully you can make one of those available.

[cory_can]

Perhaps skip directly from 2G High MMI to "new" 3G.5 ? ;)

[nikonian83]

I would be quite interested as well, depending on the cost. Especially if I could get some cash back from what is effectively a "new" system out of my car.

[staticuxo]

2G systems will need main unit, Screen, controls, radio and amp and new wire harness.

3G systems may only need controls and main unit. I've ordered a radio unit as well just in case my information is incorrect but I'm told from a shop in the dark reaches of another country that they have done a swap without replacing those units. I don't trust anything until I've done it though. I also ordered a radio unit so I can sell my complete 3G system as a kit once I get the new one working.

My MMI is currently in protection but I noted I can still use the car menu and NAV. This means I can test the new unit as is, as soon as it shows up. Lets just say if everything works as expected the cost to upgrade would easily be under 2K. Don't want to quote exactly until I confirm everything.

Oh I'm also changing out my climate control at the same time to the new style :P

The things I do in the name of research...

awesome, i can't wait to see.. the climate controls also!

[Ryan_T]

Nice.

If I ever buy a car again, I'm never gonna skimp on the Nav or Media. Recipe for missing out on mods, apparently.

[maga4]

David, I'm in the for the 3gnav to the new 3gPlus, especially if it is as simple or "inexpensive" as you are hoping/thinking it might be. Please keep us posted (as I know you will). You are awesome!

[captain.ahab]

awesome if you can pull this off. ^ ^ will be keeping an eye on progress!

[Stubek]

So, what is the time frame on this for you?
Also, what is different in the new climate control?

[staticuxo]

So, what is the time frame on this for you?
Also, what is different in the new climate control?

the little climate displays have white lettering instead of red:



i'm still not a huge fan of the facelift, but all of the little things that they improved upon are what i like: climate displays, chrome caps on the seat controls, buttons on doors, pedals, steering wheel, etc.

[tingman]

Subscribed !!!

[nikonian83]

David, would the current steering wheel controls theoretically work or would we end up having to get a facelift steering wheel as well?

[NoR32]

Good questions, suscribe!

[JJPquattro]

David, I'm in the for the 3gnav to the new 3gPlus, especially if it is as simple or "inexpensive" as you are hoping/thinking it might be. Please keep us posted (as I know you will). You are awesome!

+1... Verbatim to what maga4 said...

[routertyty]

I'm interested. Inexpensive to me is well under $1000.

[Stubek]

Interesting, did not realize all the buttons are that different on the 2013, that is going to take me weeks to get use to.

[llBen]

Shoot me a PM if you need any help David - I've quite a bit of experience with both systems and I'm happy to check for differences, etc. Obviously I can send you any copies of my coding too, though it is a non HSPDA unit (no SIM reader).

I know a guy in the UK that has done a few of these retrofits for his clients but he keeps things very hush hush... you know... the "best" way to help everyone avoid silly mistakes ¬_¬

[name.goes.here]

How inexpensive is inexpensive, especially to also get Google maps?

[TofuShop]

wow, that is a pricey upgrade! can't wait to see the progress. Google Maps is ridiculously nice

David, with all the little modding you've done over the years, im pretty sure you could have bought a whole second brand new Audi at this rate, haha

[VeryBadman]

Oh boy, you are really the man, Dave. I will follow this thread but now you get my .

[Highlander1010]

Looks amazing!

[audibmi]

David, you may be the first to get Audiconnect to work in Canada! Bummer that the Canadian 2013's with the new 3G plus don't have the sim card slot is there a part number to get this module separately from the mmi unit?

In the US, T-mobile is the carrier for audi connect and uses the 1700 mhz frequency. In Canada, Mobilicity, Wind Mobile, and Videotron also operate on the 1700 mhz frequency. If the unit only works with 1700 mhz, maybe get a prepaid sim card from one of these carriers to test!

Subscribed!

[hender]

naiiiiiice. can't wait to see. ARE YOU IN OAKVILLE. no i won't stalk you, but good to get a meet in before winter!

[maga4]

Awesome David! Just think, if you would have tried it 6mo ago, you wouldn't have built all the suspense you did in the feeler thread the other day ha. So it sounds like it may be a "simple" swap out, with you doing some programming?

And this is why we are glad David is back with us! haha.

[VeryBadman]

This is amazing! I never expected it to work with just unit swapping and telephone cord wiring. Once I settle down with many things around me, I will pull the trigger for this as well.

[llBen]

David, since you have the new unit now you might want to have a look at Drive Select - which is entirely software/UI based on the facelift models (the only button that exists is a single toggle switch).

This does complicate a few things... but I think I've worked most of it out already.


(photo taken before anyone had worked out how to take a screenshot with the facelift controls!)

In the Convenience Module, Adaption
- Channel 66 now refers to the options that appear on the main Drive Select menu (which replaces the "CAR" menu when enabled in the long coding - as pre-facelift). There are literally hundreds of combinations which include Efficiency, Race, Allroad, Auto, Comfort, Dynamic and Individual. Race and Allroad didn't seem to "lock in" for me (would change back after a few seconds), so I left the Channel set to 47 - Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual.

- Channel 67 appears to set the default Drive Select value for all Drive Select features, unlike before where 4 separate channels would do this. Same values as before, 1-4 / Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual.

I've lost my note as to which Channel controls the Individual menu's options, but that also allowed you to set efficiency/race/allroad/etc in addition to the standard values. Efficiency is the most obvious as it makes the car feel like a wet sock, and that did work as an individual setting on the engine.

Somewhat unrelated:
In the Convenience Module, Long Coding, Byte 8 Bit 7 refers to the "seat belt tensioner". Ross-Tech haven't added a label yet - intrigue led me to find that the "motor" used to retract the front seatbelts in the facelifted A4 and A5 appears to be new. Not sure if I can feel any change here would be great if anyone could confirm of course!

Finally, I've said this before and I'll say it again to see if I can pique any interest... has anyone tested dynamic steering on a facelifted A4 or A5, and can state with absolute certainty that the wheel gets heavier at sub 15MPH speeds in the same way that the pre-facelift Dynamic steering option does? This is a relevant piece of information we need to clarify in order to confirm whether there is a way to enable Dynamic Steering on a facelifted model without the option from factory. Right now the options are all there programmed as pre-facelift... but the wheel stays light as a feather. No one has been able to certifiably confirm a way of stiffening the wheel on facelifted models, would love to work it out for myself and other owners!

[MilesM]

I am ridiculously jealous. That MMI interface is stunning.

Definitely will have nav on every car from now on

[hender]

cool man! i'm a bit confused though, on how easy (in hender's easy, not davidb8 easy) and price it is; can't wait to see your write-up.

stupid Q though, how does google maps work? it's on an onboard HD, but what about updating for Locations (stores etc.)

[Stubek]

Damn you. Awesome work

[llBen]

Well I would appreciate any insite. Maybe you can provide me with an adaptation scan and coding. I don't really know where to start :)

Not sure how to get the drive select active yet either on the MMI. Lots to figure out. Of course nothing showing on the label file for the unit I have.

Will get those for you later tonight. Enabling Drive Select is the same as before - Convenience Module Long Coding Byte 7 Bit 5, Byte 8 Bits (whatever you got! engine/steering/etc), Byte 17 Bit 7. Then in the engineering menu go to car/cardevicelist/carmenuoperation and set Charisma to 5 (this is another interesting one... if you set the menu option to 1, 31 or various other options it actually greys out the menu when the car is moving. If you get this with 5... try another value! Oh and, as before, odd numbers result in the menu showing, even numbers don't.

Let me know if you've still not got it enabled with these!

[NoR32]

You are amazing and thank you

[cory_can]

Cool news man.....have you figured out how to get a red avant on the screen? LOL.

[Ryan_T]

Very nice. So jealous that I can't do this.

$10000 for MMI Upgrade...How much pain before it becomes worth it...? LOL.

[llBen]

Well I had ADS enabled on my old MMI and I enabled the menu in the new and nothing. So I think I'm missing something. Hoping a scan will help. That and I'm not sure which of the 25 screens is A4. Want to get rid of the hybrid Q5 start up. I hit Q7 hybrid and wasn't impressed lol

P.S. Put a SD card in and hold down what used to be the fast forward and rewind buttons. Wait about 5-10 seconds and the lights will flash around the MMI scroll button and will screen capture. Saves using the camera.

(photo taken before anyone had worked out how to take a screenshot with the facelift controls!)

Haha, I did say ^ :D
The buttons on the facelift controls are Tel and Media... which is a bit of a pain in the ass as you have to press them almost exactly simultaneously otherwise it changes menu... especially a pain when in the engineering menu!

So, yeah I wasn't planning on going out to the car until later but I have a real soft spot for people that contribute as much as you. HERE is a CSV dump and HERE is a Pre-label dump.

Check out the Config, Diagnose/Settings, Telephony, GoogleEarth, and WLAN menus for "interesting" information.





Note that the tel_settings under diagnose/settings lets you turn on and off HFC/NAD/etc. This means you can also enable Telephone Preparation High, without a cradle or SIM slot. Unfortunately, I've not been able to test it because iPhones don't support rSAP! Would be a nice feature too, should read text messages out loud and allow you to reply with text to speech! (or at least send template replies)

By the sound of it, this won't be much use to you but I was working on a way to change the default gateway of the router to a device connected on the WLAN, so that (in theory) you could use a wireless hotspot device (or phone with the capability) to drive Google Earth. Non-UMTS equipped models have all the same firmware, just a big missing chip on the mainboard (see: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/audi-a5-s...tml#post233631)

[apexit1]

Where did you get 10k from? Just looked on ebay and it looks like you can get the mmi unit (I only saw 1 with a SIM slot and it may have been from china) and the controls for 1000-1500. David correct me if I'm wrong