2011 R8 V10 Delivered w/ Incorrect Stereo

[R8Vin]

Hello All,

I took delivery of my 2011 R8 V10 on 8-28-10.
I immediately noticed that it had the 6-disc CD changer instead of the MMI iPod Music Interface that I had ordered.

I worked with Audi of America (as well as my dealer) to get the issue resolved. I was continually told that Audi did not have the parts to fix the problem. Specifically, I was told they needed to have some "kits" made since mine was not the only car delivered in the U.S. with the wrong stereo.

Finally, in mid-July 2011 my dealer received the "kit" and the stereo was to be switched out by the top Audi service guru in this region. After a few days of working on it they gave me the car back with the MMI iPod Interface but it has not operated properly since Day 1.

Sometimes the iPod Interface isn't an available input and sometimes the SD Card input is not available (but one of them always works so I always have music available). Also, I can be playing songs from my iPod and try to switch to the SD Card and the SD Card input will show the interface for the iPod. In addition, the iPod continues to run after the car is turned off. In other words, the entire system is all messed up.

At this point I'm waiting to hear back from Audi but it appears they do not have a solution. Shouldn't they just be able to install the correct factory parts and wiring harness to provide me with a fully functional system?

I know it's not the end of the world (and believe me, I'm treating it as such), but if any of you have any thoughts or comments on this matter I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks, Vin

[freshmeat]

I'd just default back to using my SD cards...

[maegeri]

The whole electronic interface on Audi/Porsche is terrible. I look at the Navi and Ipod system my son's Civic has and I'm envious. This is a car from 2008 with a very intuitive touchscreen Navi and Ipod capability.

I still haven't used my R8 Navi because it's so frustrating compared to his Civic. I know this isn't what you asked but I'm venting. And one more thing. What other car company has a radio that starts up everytime the engine starts and can't be turned off?

In answer to your question, yes they should have made the adjustment seamlessly and with all the German engineer know how, it's bizarre how bad it is. Why put in something later that still doesn't work?

[willyjp]

"...and with all the German engineer know how, it's bizarre how bad it is..."

much as I admire German engineering, and concede that it's usually at the pinnacle of progress, sometimes they miss the rather simple points...."easier, simpler is sometimes better" is a concept that sometimes escapes them; the BMW system is one example that comes to mind

[timborama]

The germans might know engineering, but they no NOTHING about electronics. The R8 desperately needs an electronic overhaul. Fingers crossed something is done soon, it's the only thing holding me back at the moment.

[willyjp]

Didn't know the EE's had been dropped from the ranks of "engineers"!

But, if I vaguely recall, haven't we seen some signs reported a time or two on this forum, that the Japanese (Panasonic IIRC?) have had a hand in VW/Audi electronics?

In the case of the R8, I wonder if its project isn't in the hands of sports car oriented people who are resisting the latest in electronic gadgets in favor of its more automotive merits? A lot of the routine electronics in the VW/Audi product line at a much lower price point are way ahead of the R8...which was not really cutting edge in this regard from unit#1. My 2010 Jetta TDI has slicker electronics than my 2010 R8...but it sure doesn't drive as well

[timborama]

In the case of the R8, I wonder if its project isn't in the hands of sports car oriented people who are resisting the latest in electronic gadgets in favor of its more automotive merits?

That would be very dumb, just for the sake of being dumb. Putting in a better nav is NOT going to diminish the driving experience. I'd even go so far as to say it costs the same to make the current crappy nav as a good one in their other cars. Audi just needs to repurpose their existing electronics technology into the R8.

[willyjp]

That would be very dumb, just for the sake of being dumb. Putting in a better nav is NOT going to diminish the driving experience. I'd even go so far as to say it costs the same to make the current crappy nav as a good one in their other cars. Audi just needs to repurpose their existing electronics technology into the R8.

What explanation would you suggest to explain why Audi has never, from the R8 model's inception, deployed their current best electronics, in ALL aspects (no keyless ignition, no seat memory, inferior iPod interface (corrected in recent iteration), second rate audio/nav (RNS rather than MMI), etc.?

[timborama]

What explanation would you suggest to explain why Audi has never, from the R8 model's inception, deployed their current best electronics, in ALL aspects (no keyless ignition, no seat memory, inferior iPod interface (corrected in recent iteration), second rate audio/nav (RNS rather than MMI), etc.?

There is no logical explanation, other than what's been stated elsewhere... it's too low volume to commit any additional resources into.

[desperado]

At this point I'm waiting to hear back from Audi but it appears they do not have a solution. Shouldn't they just be able to install the correct factory parts and wiring harness to provide me with a fully functional system?

Interestingly, this sounds like the same experiences of others on this forum who have attempted to upgrade earlier cars with the radio/nav heads or AMI from later year R8 production. There must be something about the modules on the data bus (mostly Bosch, I believe) which can't easily adapt to media devices different from those originally equipped.