Is the ambient lighting really just white?

[M3_Dylan]

Talking to my friends while out on a cruise who have a B9 RS5 and a B9 S4 and they thought it was strange that they would limit the ambient lighting to only white in the RS3. The B9 S4 / S5 are also limited to white IF you have the prestige package and not the Premium Plus. I know there is no way to change the color in the RS3 from the factory but the idea is that it could be just limited via the software and can be changed through something like Vagcom (potentially). Are the LEDs used for ambient lighting multicolored (RGB) and only limited to white through software, or are the LEDs installed in the RS3 and certain package S models actually plain white LEDs that can't physically change color? To be honest, even with the ability to change color I would probably keep them set to white but it would be a cool option to have for fun. Strange that Audi would change the physical LED lights out in production as they probably only cost a few cents more and overall might cost them more money than if they installed the same RGB LED lights in every car they produce.

[carlosvjr92]

There are options. There are full replacements for the trim that have a hidden button to change the color (this seems to be the best option, you can find them on ebay and aliexpress). There are also apparently some that allow changing the color through the MMI, BUT I have no clue how they work and when you find those kits and ask for details on how it works they won't tell you unless you've actually purchased. Its unfortunate because it would be a sweet upgrade, but I don't want to spend a few hundred bucks to find out you can't actually change it through the MMI.

I did find this: https://www.carat-garage.de/index.ph...ed-module-html

But again I asked for some info on install as I didn't want to order without knowing what kind of work was required and they refused to give me any info. Says plug and play, but without any instructions no idea how true that is. They're also not very responsive so I opted to not purchase just in case there was an issue.

[GT-R & S4]

Do you mean the lighting in the footwells when the doors are opened, or full time lighting in those areas? I would like to have the option to turn it off at times, as well as change the dash colors to an orangish-red at night. Thanks.

[M3_Dylan]

There are options. There are full replacements for the trim that have a hidden button to change the color (this seems to be the best option, you can find them on ebay and aliexpress). There are also apparently some that allow changing the color through the MMI, BUT I have no clue how they work and when you find those kits and ask for details on how it works they won't tell you unless you've actually purchased. Its unfortunate because it would be a sweet upgrade, but I don't want to spend a few hundred bucks to find out you can't actually change it through the MMI.

I did find this: https://www.carat-garage.de/index.ph...ed-module-html

But again I asked for some info on install as I didn't want to order without knowing what kind of work was required and they refused to give me any info. Says plug and play, but without any instructions no idea how true that is. They're also not very responsive so I opted to not purchase just in case there was an issue.

I believe that once you choose that color and install it you are stuck with that color unless you uninstall the kit and return to the OEM white. What's interesting is on the website it says no change of the actual LEDs are required so I'm guessing it's a wire harness (with maybe a small module attached) that you would plug into the port where the OEM white lights connect. My question is if that is the case the OEM LEDs have to have the ability to change colors. Unless Audi designed it to have no possible way to change the led color through software and needs a piggyback module to do some physical work it shoulllldd be possible to change it through software coding. I can't believe Audi would install LEDs that have the ability to change colors and go above and beyond to make sure no one can access those colors when so many different Audi models they install these LEDs into (4,5,6,7, all the Q SUVs) can easily change them using the MMI

[carlosvjr92]

I believe that once you choose that color and install it you are stuck with that color unless you uninstall the kit and return to the OEM white. What's interesting is on the website it says no change of the actual LEDs are required so I'm guessing it's a wire harness (with maybe a small module attached) that you would plug into the port where the OEM white lights connect. My question is if that is the case the OEM LEDs have to have the ability to change colors. Unless Audi designed it to have no possible way to change the led color through software and needs a piggyback module to do some physical work it shoulllldd be possible to change it through software coding. I can't believe Audi would install LEDs that have the ability to change colors and go above and beyond to make sure no one can access those colors when so many different Audi models they install these LEDs into (4,5,6,7, all the Q SUVs) can easily change them using the MMI

Exactly what I think, just don't think anyone has found a way through software. I'm not the experimenting type so not really inspired to find out how they work. Its fairly easy to get access to where this module would plug in, but I just haven't been able to convince myself to do it.

This is the sort of kit I came across that says it can be controlled "from the screen" (MMI) -- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...rch-mainSearch

But again no info on how its done or programmed.

I personally wouldn't mind the fixed color, but I have heard the kits with full replacement trim and a small button on the trim to change the color work well. They are also not terribly expensive.

[M3_Dylan]

Exactly what I think, just don't think anyone has found a way through software. I'm not the experimenting type so not really inspired to find out how they work. Its fairly easy to get access to where this module would plug in, but I just haven't been able to convince myself to do it.

This is the sort of kit I came across that says it can be controlled "from the screen" (MMI) -- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...rch-mainSearch

But again no info on how its done or programmed.

I personally wouldn't mind the fixed color, but I have heard the kits with full replacement trim and a small button on the trim to change the color work well. They are also not terribly expensive.

I think the air vent lights are tacky and the door trim pieces are okay. Thing to keep in mind is they wouldn't have the ability to control the brightness through the MMI and if they were absurdly bright and gaudy and not sort of sleek and subtle like how the OEM ones are in the other model lines you would be stuck with it. I would be fine with just the OEM lighting locations (door speakers, cupholders, footwell, door handle) being able to change colors and would be extra nice to change individual pieces to specific colors like the OEM MMI functions can do. Also that Alibaba price comparison graphic is fucking hilarious