2006 D3 - GSM mobile phone preparation

[Greg66]

Ok - what is it, *exactly*?

According to the brochure, it was a standard fitted item, described as "GSM mobile phone preparation – with hands-free function. Located in front centre armrest, with Bluetooth interface and roof-mounted aerial for optimum reception. A phone adapter is required at extra cost. Please consult your Audi Centre for details"

I've got as far as working out that it is a base plate in the FCAR. You then buy any one of a range of Audi adapters, all of which fit into the base plate and each of which fits a different phone. So far, so good.

But what about the "Bluetooth interface"? If that is there, why bother with the adapter? Why not just pair your iPhone to the car? Is it only for charging and using the car's GSM aerial, or do you get better connectivity?

[PsYcHe]

You get a better signal as it uses the car's aerial, and it charges too. Also looks a little tidier as you don't have cables dotted about. Though it's pretty expensive for what it is and doesn't fit most newer phones.

[M-A8]

I prefer bluetooth.
Don't have to take the phone from my handbag....yyyy..hmm...my pocket of course , connects within seconds and signal is pretty good everywhere now.
If I need charging, I have a Belkin USB charger in the rear lighter and cable is under my armrest.

[LordHefner]

In car phones are now very dated! If you watch a lot of the films from the 80's or old Columbo films which I tend to enjoy a lot, everyone Columbo was hunting down was always rich, driving high end cars, and they always with out little exceptions had a dedicated car phone, it had it's own number so that business people on the move could be reached. These preceded the mobile phone, and when the mobiles grew they kinda put the fixed car phone out of use, although the main dealers appeared to continue offering them, which meant people then had four numbers to remember, The Home, The Office, The Mobile and The Car Phone... in the last six or so years they've made it so that your Bluetooth phone can connect direct to the head unit and although some higher end cars still had these inbuilt phones most people preferred the mobile so that it goes everywhere, and lets be far, since the age of the smart phone that plays games etc... the dial only push button offering by car dealers no longer keep up.

If you like living in a time zone like me and relish things from the past then the inbuilt phone is a perfect must have, however I do have an iPhone 5s then realistically all I would love would be to able to play the music through the cars audio and the phone calls to be picked up and dropped quickly on an auto answer by controls on the steering wheel!

Nice, but I won't be buying one any time soon!

Regards, Mark.