Retrofit & wiring question?

[GlynH]

I've been thinking...dangerous I know but when it comes to retrofitting options that might be missing from the car is it made easy on the D3 by the existing harness having the required wiring already in place or not?

I believe on the D2 Pre-facelift for example most of the wiring was already in place (seems to make sense as it means only one wiring harness for the whole range) but when it came to my Facelift S8 D2 most of these additional wires/connectors appear to have been removed making it more difficult to add those bells & whistles or toys you wanted without much additional wiring etc.

Is this also the case on the D3 or did Audi go back to having one harness for the car with the necessary wiring in place for those options we can't live without?

Thinking particularly about front massage seats, rear electric seats, heated screen, heated steering wheel, rear blinds, rear entertainment pack, tyre pressure monitoring, power close doors etc.

Here I am only having had my car for a couple of days and already wondering what else I can bolt on...

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by GlynH

I believe on the D2 Pre-facelift for example most of the wiring was already in place

The only thing I've added to my (fairly-comprehensive) PF D2 is a dimming mirror.
There was no wiring for it, and I looked pretty hard.
I had to "tap in" to the sunroof cabling which has a convenient suitably-switched supply in the right area.

Of course it could be that has it's own separate "sub-loom" linked to the mirrors which originates elsewhere and is installed with the full option.

[PsYcHe]

You need new climate control panels for heated rears, and ventilated fronts.. not cheap

Heated screen, not sure on that... TPMS is an easy enough fit.. Power close doors aren't all they're cracked up to be, handy if you have kids that don't always close the door properly though.

Rear electric seats, not so sure about for a fit point of view, but you never know. Heated wheel may need a new slip ring, but I think all the wiring should be in place.. I do like mine on the chilly mornings

[IT]

A8's only came with full looms until 1996, after that they were bespoke per car and have been ever since.

Late PF and all FL cars require every wire running to retrofit anything.

The D3 is the same story, but there is a much higher reliance on control modules and databuses, so a retofit usually requires far less wiring as its typically a power, ground and bit of data per device - No an inch thick bundle half way round the car.

Component protection will catch you out on the expensive components as Audi themselves have to clear that.

Its all do-able, but sourcing the parts, particularly in those colours will be very hard and/or expensive. A8parts had/have a full ventilated / massage seat setup with Rear seat entertainment available for example, but it was platinum (i think) and comfort seats, not sports.

For the toys you want, it would have been way easier (and probably not much more expensive) to wait for a higher spec car...... Sorry !

[The_Laird]

Now I know contradicting Ian is not a good idea BUT, there is at least one bit of wiring on FL D2s that is in place if you want to fit a second (near side) rear fog light. Just buy the bulb holder from A8 Parts, snap off the little blanking cover, connect to existing wiring and fit. Simples.

Perhaps there is some commonality/redundancy in LHD and RHD cars?

[HPsauce]

Apologies if this is a duplicate post - first one disappeared.

I did the dual foglight thing ages ago, but it doesn't really work.
The nearside plastic lens is not symmetrical to the offside so you don't get a good beam pattern. You can see it, but it's barely more than the other rear lights.

[GlynH]

Thanks for the answers guys...I am not really wanting for anything as I have all the important spec that I needed but was more curious than anything else.

If the harness had all the connections needed it might have spurred me on a little but as it doesn't then it hasn't and I won't

Thanks & kind regards
-=Glyn=-