Audi’s S-cars are some of the best all-round vehicles anyone could hope to own. With few choices upon ordering, everyone seems to think getting all the options means getting the best. This is especially so when you consider the latest B7 S4 as we did with our 05.5 model year subject of this series and its then-new Audi Navigation+ system paired with satellite radio and the old standby high end Bose speakers. However, when it came ordering this particular B7, those options were purposely left off the check list, not because of the added cost but rather due to our modification priorities. Being ordered by an audio buff, these components were redundant as they’d soon be replaced.

Full Story

Basically, there were some plugs I sourced from VAG Parts in terms of plugs needed. All of the wires on my side then needed a lot of custom work, as all of the connections themselves had to be redone to match Audi's plugs.

The bottom line:

1. XM reception is BETTER than it was when I was testing the system with the stock xm magnetic antenna while I was waiting for the proper plugs..... that's amazing. Quality and reception are simply top notch there. Also, I would note that the issues Audi drivers with a radio with stock XM face, where they say the quality is poor and the volume is lower, etc.... There's no issue there for me, it probably has a lot to do with the aftermarket tuner.

2. GPS reception is also perfect. Again, while testing, the stock magnetic reciever that comes with the system worked well, but it was never perfect.... even if you placed it up on top of the trunk where it had a perfectly clear view.

3. GSM reception is again, perfect... without any amplifiers. I'm running that wire all the way to the front to the HSPDA wireless router I currently have installed in the glove box. A PCMCIA HSDPA wireless broadband card attaches to the antenna wire and instead of going directly into a laptop it installs into what is basically a wireless router. One thing about wireless broadband, the better the reception, the more bandwidth you end up with. Using the card with it's built in antenna, inside the car is less than stellar, this setup makes it very, very good. Plus, one advantage is that we can split that signal between more than one device at a time, and it has a range of about 150' radius around the car. Anyone that stopped by the Fourtitude stand at Waterfest this past year may have gotten a taste of how that works. It'll be used more this year with multiple devices inside the car making use of always-on internet.... look out for that

For good measure, the system's FM source is being fed through the diversity antenna on the rear glass as well.... That was actually a bit harder to accomplish because of the size of the wires that needed to get spliced, but it works great.... even though I don't remember when the last time I listened to FM was....

My Garage: pics of my cars
2005.5 B7 S4 Sedan: Sprint Blue on Silver Nappa / 6MT - SOLD (05.02.05 - 04.24.09)
2008 MK2 TT 3.2 Coupe: Ibis White on Black Nappa / S-Tronic

I was considering swapping this one out with a Z2 when they come out in April and making a new bracket. All I can tell you is that between the headunit itself and all the wiring, there isn't much room behind the dash and there will be even less with a double din unit. The only problem I can see is that the bracket/faceplate will have a much thinner bezel.... which could be a problem to make, but I don't think so.

My Garage: pics of my cars
2005.5 B7 S4 Sedan: Sprint Blue on Silver Nappa / 6MT - SOLD (05.02.05 - 04.24.09)
2008 MK2 TT 3.2 Coupe: Ibis White on Black Nappa / S-Tronic

awesome simple system that looks stunning and i bet it sounds great too.

The finished pictures were from a couple weeks back, but some of the projects were done last spring. There will be more articles as George said on the RS4 parts which I'll tie into the alcantara two-toned doors (which I'm surprised no one noticed), then I'll tie the wireless hotspot we created into an article on mobile computing (since the car is sponsered by my company and that's what we do... it's always been a part of this project).

Modified by PROPort at 6:42 PM 1/31/2007

Modified by PROPort at 8:38 PM 1/31/2007

Modified by PROPort at 8:38 PM 1/31/2007

My Garage: pics of my cars
2005.5 B7 S4 Sedan: Sprint Blue on Silver Nappa / 6MT - SOLD (05.02.05 - 04.24.09)
2008 MK2 TT 3.2 Coupe: Ibis White on Black Nappa / S-Tronic

Looks like the eflection of the dome light on the CF trim to me.

Make of the unit and which data card you've got plugged into it

Since there's only one operator in NA with 3G services I am familiar with their offerings but haven't seen this router before

Junxion Box - I believe it's about $600
Option GT Max - $300 maybe
Cingular unlimited data - $60/month

It's not a cheap solution, but basically I looked at it this summer because I needed access on the road and our new notebooks all used express card slots -- while at the time anyway no one had yet made an express card modem.... so this was the best of both worlds.... plus it's built-in with better reception and allows for multiple connections..

As I said, I'll get more into this in another article probably later in the spring, I hope.

My Garage: pics of my cars
2005.5 B7 S4 Sedan: Sprint Blue on Silver Nappa / 6MT - SOLD (05.02.05 - 04.24.09)
2008 MK2 TT 3.2 Coupe: Ibis White on Black Nappa / S-Tronic

Thanks

My Garage: pics of my cars
2005.5 B7 S4 Sedan: Sprint Blue on Silver Nappa / 6MT - SOLD (05.02.05 - 04.24.09)
2008 MK2 TT 3.2 Coupe: Ibis White on Black Nappa / S-Tronic

Shoot me an IM with your email and I'll send you a note on monday from the office

Bootre...