The best Bluetooth audio solution?

[coop3422]

First off, I apologize as I know this topic has likely been beaten to death. I've searched Google and number of times and here, but there's varying info, and much of it old.

My wife and I are expecting our first child and I've decided to sell the convertible and CUV and go back to a sedan. I've always liked the S4, but have never owned German.

Almost every car I've owned, I've upgraded the stereo. For source, I stream Spotify from my Pixel 3. So streaming Bluetooth is a must whether factory or aftermarket. My 350ZR has an aftermarket Pioneer screen, I turn the car on, it pairs and even starts playing Spotify automatically. This is perfect, the ideal solution. Track details display on the screen, steering wheel controls all operate as normal. My Infiniti EX35 is an 08, so no streaming. I bought a transmitter which gets the job done, but no info comes through thr display, nor can I pause or skip tracks via the radio/steering wheel buttons.

I wanted to created a thread because there seems to be a few options, and different MMI variations. From my understanding, if I get a B8.5 WITH nav, streaming bluetooth comes form the factory, info with display on screen and steering wheel controls work, correct?

A car I looked at had RSNAV which looked pretty slick, although I read some stuff about people having various issues with theirs.

In a situation where I find a nice 2012, or non nav 2013, I'll need some sort of adapter, I believe that plugs into the slot in the glove box. Is there one that will display track info and have full steering wheel button functionality with Android? Most I read is iPhone related, and it seems like there could be a difference depending on the phone used.

Thank you all for your help, much appreciated!

[Jamen]

Tune2air works well

[VroomTT]

I decided to take a gamble on the Invery dongle from Amazon (linked below). It worked well enough, but I quickly noticed that when playing music from spotify it does this wired pause or skip. It's just for a split second too. At first it's less noticeable, but once you pick up on it there's no going back. I mainly listen to audiobooks on my commute, so there it's less of a concern, but still there.

Invery: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm considering switching it out for a Bovee Tune2Air as some say it's the best option, but I've also heard it has a similar issue for android. Might just order it and then return the Invery if it's any better.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R2HZ1XU...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[jimrobbington]

I used tune2air and it stopped working properly after a few months, couldn't resolve it. Haven't tried a different solution, been using a janky aux cable ;(

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[coop3422]

Ugh, so what I'm hearing is there isn't a perfect way lol.

Is my understanding correct that a 2013+ with nav has it built in, but no other variation does? If there's no good aftermarket solution, then it might mean I just suck it up and only look for a B8.5. The flat bottom steering wheel was the only other thing I cared about so a 2011 or 2012 would have been fine otherwise.

With Tune2air, does it display track info on the screen, and work with the steering wheel controls for pause/skip/next?

[CardFan]

You can swap the MMI with the 2013+ variant fairly easily if you’re willing to spend a little more money. I bought my components off of eBay, but it’s been a few years since I’ve looked at prices. Bluetooth streaming has been rock solid. I tried tune2air first but didn’t like it. I also changed out the steering wheel for a flat bottom version in my 2012.

link

[coop3422]

You can swap the MMI with the 2013+ variant fairly easily if you’re willing to spend a little more money. I bought my components off of eBay, but it’s been a few years since I’ve looked at prices. Bluetooth streaming has been rock solid. I tried tune2air first but didn’t like it. I also changed out the steering wheel for a flat bottom version in my 2012.

link

Awesome info, thank you. Out of curiosity, in the linked thread he said it came out of a 2012, I thought only 2013+ nav cars had streaming Bluetooth?

As for your wheel, was it plug and play? How much work was it, and how much did it cost? Thanks!

[CardFan]

Awesome info, thank you. Out of curiosity, in the linked thread he said it came out of a 2012, I thought only 2013+ nav cars had streaming Bluetooth?

As for your wheel, was it plug and play? How much work was it, and how much did it cost? Thanks!

Are you referring to this line in the thread?

I have a 2010 S4 with 3G B&O, the MMI 3G goes to the 2012MY.

He’s saying the MMI 3G is in the 2010-2012 models, the MMI 3G+ is the one with Bluetooth in 2013 and on vehicles. The key is the part numbers listed in the thread.

As for steering wheels, you can either get a wheel and airbag from a 2013+ and swap it, or get a custom wheel which uses the existing airbag. It’s definitely an individual preference thing based on your opinion of the airbag shape. I went the custom wheel route, flydesigns on eBay, but there are other custom options out there, and most are plug and play. Looks like it’s around $500-600 now. This guy on eBay is great with communication, you can tell him exactly what you want and he hooks you up. Plenty of examples in the custom wheel thread I linked to. The wheel itself is pretty easy to change.

[A.C.]

Are you referring to this line in the thread?

I have a 2010 S4 with 3G B&O, the MMI 3G goes to the 2012MY.

He’s saying the MMI 3G is in the 2010-2012 models, the MMI 3G+ is the one with Bluetooth in 2013 and on vehicles. The key is the part numbers listed in the thread.

As for steering wheels, you can either get a wheel and airbag from a 2013+ and swap it, or get a custom wheel which uses the existing airbag. It’s definitely an individual preference thing based on your opinion of the airbag shape. I went the custom wheel route, flydesigns on eBay, but there are other custom options out there, and most are plug and play. Looks like it’s around $500-600 now. This guy on eBay is great with communication, you can tell him exactly what you want and he hooks you up. Plenty of examples in the custom wheel thread I linked to. The wheel itself is pretty easy to change.

Good to know about the steering wheels.


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[coop3422]

Are you referring to this line in the thread?

I have a 2010 S4 with 3G B&O, the MMI 3G goes to the 2012MY.

He’s saying the MMI 3G is in the 2010-2012 models, the MMI 3G+ is the one with Bluetooth in 2013 and on vehicles. The key is the part numbers listed in the thread.

As for steering wheels, you can either get a wheel and airbag from a 2013+ and swap it, or get a custom wheel which uses the existing airbag. It’s definitely an individual preference thing based on your opinion of the airbag shape. I went the custom wheel route, flydesigns on eBay, but there are other custom options out there, and most are plug and play. Looks like it’s around $500-600 now. This guy on eBay is great with communication, you can tell him exactly what you want and he hooks you up. Plenty of examples in the custom wheel thread I linked to. The wheel itself is pretty easy to change.

Ah okay, thanks for that. I misunderstood and thought he had a MY10 and put an MMI in from a MY12.

As for a MY13+, do all models have bluetooth streaming, or only cars with nav? I really don't care about nav honestly, all my cars have it and I never use it. But I'll only look for one if that's the only way to get bluetooth.

Thanks for the wheel info, that's great to know!

[briceportier]

My B8.5 had a factory fitted MMI3G Low so started using an aux cable which I quickly replaced by an AMI cable (straight swap of the aux green connector for the AMI one on the back of the quadlock) and a tune2air. That worked fine sound wise but without any info displayed on the MMI and no working controls since I'm on Android...
Then I retrofitted a 3G+ which natively supports bluetooth streaming including track info and steering wheel plus centre console controls, and that was fine for a while but...only did so while waiting for my 10"25 screen which was taking too long to come out for my taste. To be fair the 3G+ was a very decent upgrade & improvement but for the cost implied it's no match for a beast like the RSNav. And if I've had minor issues with the 1st gen these have completely disappeared with the 3rd iteration that I installed a couple of weeks ago.
4G connection is now rock solid which means that spotify & Waze work 100% of the time !!!

If you're willing to go all the way don't bother with retrofitting a 3G+ which in the end is nothing else but an overpriced outdated proprietary interface that was never meant to grow, as opposed to a fully functional and constantly updated android system... You won't regret going down the RSNav road...



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[coop3422]

A car I was looking at (which since sold) had the RSNav so I did some research on it. Looks like a sweet piece of kit, however not cheap at $700 USD. But it sounds like an MMI 3G+ conversion is near the same price, so RSNav would be the way to go in that case.

I appreciate everyone's insight, and kindness considering this has likely been beaten to death. Sounds like my options are a 13+ win nav, or and year and RSNav. Since I use Android, none of the adapters sound like they'll do what I want.

Only outstanding question is if bluetooth streaming is only on nav enabled 13+, or if it's available on all 13+ models?

[CosmicJ]

A car I was looking at (which since sold) had the RSNav so I did some research on it. Looks like a sweet piece of kit, however not cheap at $700 USD. But it sounds like an MMI 3G+ conversion is near the same price, so RSNav would be the way to go in that case.

I appreciate everyone's insight, and kindness considering this has likely been beaten to death. Sounds like my options are a 13+ win nav, or and year and RSNav. Since I use Android, none of the adapters sound like they'll do what I want.

Only outstanding question is if bluetooth streaming is only on nav enabled 13+, or if it's available on all 13+ models?

To be fair, the RSNAV MMI screen replacement (7 inch kit) is $550 USD + shipping. It's a definite want of mine, but I've settled with the tune2air for now. Just plugged it in today.

And i think only the nav enabled MMIs had bluetooth streaming, but I could be wrong.

[coop3422]

To be fair, the RSNAV MMI screen replacement (7 inch kit) is $550 USD + shipping. It's a definite want of mine, but I've settled with the tune2air for now. Just plugged it in today.

And i think only the nav enabled MMIs had bluetooth streaming, but I could be wrong.

For the extra $150, I think I'd opt for the larger 10" model myself. But my eye sight is also kinda shit lol.

That's my understanding on the MMI streaming as well, but just wanted to confirm. There's a lot of different info out there when searching.

[CosmicJ]

For the extra $150, I think I'd opt for the larger 10" model myself. But my eye sight is also kinda shit lol.

That's my understanding on the MMI streaming as well, but just wanted to confirm. There's a lot of different info out there when searching.

I kind of think the 10” is ugly and breaks the lines of the dash too much, but a definite plus for readability.

Hope you find something that works!

[VroomTT]

Not to thread jack, but I've been in the same boat after recently picking up a b8. Always assumed the bt adapter was an easy fix, but now digging into it more it seems to be less than perfect. Note, I'm on android too. I've been back and forth with Invery support as well as further reading across the interwebs. It seems most of these adapters are reported to have issues with being paired to both the mmi BT for phone and the adapter. Tested the theory today and it's spot on. When not connected to both any music streams perfectly and no skips.

Invery offered to fully refund me for the adapter (with return), but no BT music at all is just not an option for me... I don't imagine the Tune2Air version would be any different either. Considered even hard-wiring a BT receiver to the aux input, but I'd loose all track function and potentially still have the same skipping issue when connected for both phone and music. Will be digging into the software version of the mmi next...

[CosmicJ]

Not to thread jack, but I've been in the same boat after recently picking up a b8. Always assumed the bt adapter was an easy fix, but now digging into it more it seems to be less than perfect. Note, I'm on android too. I've been back and forth with Invery support as well as further reading across the interwebs. It seems most of these adapters are reported to have issues with being paired to both the mmi BT for phone and the adapter. Tested the theory today and it's spot on. When not connected to both any music streams perfectly and no skips.

Invery offered to fully refund me for the adapter (with return), but no BT music at all is just not an option for me... I don't imagine the Tune2Air version would be any different either. Considered even hard-wiring a BT receiver to the aux input, but I'd loose all track function and potentially still have the same skipping issue when connected for both phone and music. Will be digging into the software version of the mmi next...

I don’t have android, but have you tried setting the Bluetooth adapter when paired to media only? I’ve heard that could help the issue.

[coop3422]

Not to thread jack, but I've been in the same boat after recently picking up a b8. Always assumed the bt adapter was an easy fix, but now digging into it more it seems to be less than perfect. Note, I'm on android too. I've been back and forth with Invery support as well as further reading across the interwebs. It seems most of these adapters are reported to have issues with being paired to both the mmi BT for phone and the adapter. Tested the theory today and it's spot on. When not connected to both any music streams perfectly and no skips.

Invery offered to fully refund me for the adapter (with return), but no BT music at all is just not an option for me... I don't imagine the Tune2Air version would be any different either. Considered even hard-wiring a BT receiver to the aux input, but I'd loose all track function and potentially still have the same skipping issue when connected for both phone and music. Will be digging into the software version of the mmi next...

Do you have calls paired to the car and music paired to the Bluetooth adapter? That's how I'm doing it in my Infiniti but it's not ideal even if it does work. Since my next car I plan to keep for a while, I want to make sure I buy the right one and Bluetooth audio is important as I use it ever day. For me, it's either a 13+ with nav, or I end up getting an RSNav setup it seems. Then upgrade the stereo and sub and I should be happy.

[VroomTT]

I don’t have android, but have you tried setting the Bluetooth adapter when paired to media only? I’ve heard that could help the issue.

Not sure what you mean by 'setting the bluetooth adapter'? It's currently set as a media device for the adapter and wireless headset for the mmi BT. If I disable the mmi BT via the menu, it works without skipping.

[CosmicJ]

Not sure what you mean by 'setting the bluetooth adapter'? It's currently set as a media device for the adapter and wireless headset for the mmi BT. If I disable the mmi BT via the menu, it works without skipping.

Yeah sorry that’s what I meant, if the adapter was set as only a media device on your phone. That’s all the insight I’ve got, good luck in your struggle!

[VroomTT]

Do you have calls paired to the car and music paired to the Bluetooth adapter?

Yes, but skipping occurs when both are connected. It transfers between the two flawlessly, so I don't mind it. I had a similar setup in my B7 S4 and it was never an issue. For some reason the B8's BT triggers an erratic skipping with music streaming.

[Drunktank]

OP, since you stated you’re a stereo upgrade guy, then I would intentionally get a model without nav so you can install the Audi Alpine head unit. All buttons and OEM functions work flawlessly, perfect Bluetooth, and Android or Apple CarPlay. You also get pre-outs for future upgrades and tuneability, and an HDMI in. I wouldn’t mess around with the other crap.

[coop3422]

OP, since you stated you’re a stereo upgrade guy, then I would intentionally get a model without nav so you can install the Audi Alpine head unit. All buttons and OEM functions work flawlessly, perfect Bluetooth, and Android or Apple CarPlay. You also get pre-outs for future upgrades and tuneability, and an HDMI in. I wouldn’t mess around with the other crap.

Those units are really pricey, are they not? Thought I saw $1500 USD when I was reading about them .

[Drunktank]

Yes, it's expensive like any top notch option.