TDiAvant Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Well I’ve finally finished the Bose installation tonight (except the speaker covers) and all is working well The Bose sound quality is far superior compared to the standard Audi setup. When I have some time I will try and do a write-up. The parts for the Avant retrofit are listed below and the cost was around £600 Bose amp 32 PIN, 32 PIN Bose connector, 2x Bose mid-range/ treble speakers for the rear doors, 4 x bass loudspeakers, 1x Centre speaker, Microphone for Bose amp , plug for microphone. 2x Wiring harnesses (homemade). I’ve now got to make a tool so I can fit the speaker covers, so with a bit of luck this will be this done for the weekend. I will post some pictures tomorrow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Blimey, BOSE is an incredibly complex retrofit! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Will you have the BOSE labels on the speaker covers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Blimey, BOSE is an incredibly complex retrofit! [/ QUOTE ] It can't be I've not got the brain power for complex installations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vern1 Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 It is now standard on the A4 for some models.... look forward to the pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 It should be standard for S4 models, I think it is on the RS4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 It is std on the RS4. Not as good as it used to be though in years gone. My S3 set up was the best out of all the Audis I've had Bose in. Mind you, the current Porsche Bose is in a different league. Fair play to you on the install, that is a splendid achievement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Well done TDiAvant, you're a braver man than I for doing that. I was thinking of an electric blind retrofit, but electrics / new cabling / unhooking interior trim make me tremble. Happy listening, although I still don't quite see the point when you already have a luverly V8 sountrack with no need for amps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Here is a very quick write-up of the installation. I know some you out there think that the Bose option is a waste of money, but some people say that about Audi nav system. (why pay £2000 for Audi nav when you can buy a tom-tom for £200) I also know that Bose sounds better in the saloon due to the location of the rear base speakers etc ,etc, etc. But I was sick of dealer saying it could not be done, and I wanted to give it a try. I’m sure this installation would be cheaper if you were able to get the amp and speaker from a scrap yard, but if anyone one is interested in this retrofit, I will try and give as much information as I can. I will even make up wiring harness if you require one. I am willing help anyone with this retrofit, as I believe this could be done in one day with two people. So here is the write-up. Using VW/Audi parts software package I was able to order the correct parts. All the parts for this retrofit were ordered from vag-parts. Next step was to remove to the front and rear door cards, then fit the four loud speakers and the two rear door tweeters. I did not replace the speaker covers as I still need to make a tool up to melt down the plastic posts. The microphone wire was then then ran from the top of the front interior light, down to behind the radio. Note you will need to remove the radio, glove box and the upper A-pillar trim. WARNING an airbag is behind this trim, so it you unsure on how to remove and refit, disconnect the battery first. Using Elsawin it’s easy enough to figure out the wiring for the front speakers, so I built up a wireing harness to take the following wires to the rear amp. Bose microphone - +, front audio left out, front audio right out, front centre speaker - +, front left speaker - +, front right speaker - +. The cable was run along the centre console to the were the amp is located in the boot. The hardest part of running the harness was the 8 inches between the rear of the centre console to the rear of the seats. The front centre speaker is then remove, and the VW connector is cut off and replace with two spade connectors. The standard front centre speaker is wired to the front left positive and the front right negative on the back of the audio connector, these wires are cut off and placed in the two spare holes on the audio connector. The microphone is also plugged into this audio connector using up the two remaining holes. The audio out left/right connect into the larger multi-pin connecter (I) pin numbers four and five. The side cover is removed and the old amp is removed. The Bose amp is then fitted and the side panel is refitted. The new wiring harness is then cut to size and new pin’s are connected. The pin’s and the wiring harness tape can be purchased from http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk Pin's going to the old amp connector are removed and fitted into the Bose connector. Note that some of the cables will need new pins as they are a different size on the Bose amp connector. The final pins I removed from the old block werw positive, negative, switched positive switched negative, before I removed these pin’s I removed the radio fuse (20). Due to the fact there was not much length on the existing wiring harness I was not able to use the cover on the Bose plug. The Bose wire on the back of the nav unit was then connect to ground and the radio recoded for Bose. 0xx?xxx: Sound characteristics 0 - linear 1 - Audi A4 (> 2004) 2 - Audi A6 (< 2004) 3 - Audi A4 Cabriolet (> 2004) 4 - Audi TT (> 2004) 5 - Audi A3 (8P) 9 - Bose Soundsystem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Great shot with the pint in it I'll say it again, fair play to you! Well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 My S4 cab doesn't have Bose and I miss it every time I get into the car. Is it a harder job in the cab do you know and If I got the bits would you do it for me? You can be asured that their would be lots of pints to be had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 It could be done Will, it’s just a question of removing different trim panels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Will the bits only fit from a cab, I take it that it dosen't have to be the S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Answer I'm not sure, but now that I know what i'm looking for I should be able to get you some part number later today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Answer I'm not sure, but now that I know what i'm looking for I should be able to get you some part number later today [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 forgot to ask Will, what year is your S4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Blimey, BOSE is an incredibly complex retrofit! Ian [/ QUOTE ] Not really Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Will, here is a list of parts I believe are requied for the retrofit. just not to sure about the last 2 items. I going to a garage on Saturday so I should be able to confirm these numbers Sorry about the caps I'm not trying to shout 8H0 035 361 A LOUD SPEAKER DASHBOARD X2 8H0 035 399 B TREBBLE SPEAKER X2 8H0 035 362 CENTRE LOUD SPEAKER 8H0 035 412 B LOUD SPEAKER DOOR X2 8H0 035 411 A LOUDSPEAKER SIDE TRIM X2 8H0 035 223 C AMP BOSE 4E0 971 636 FLAT CONTACT HOUSING 32PIN 8H0 862 373 MICROPHONE 8D0 972 623 AA FLAT CONTACT HOUSING 8D0 972 643 FLAT CONTACT HOUSING For people who understand wiring diagrams, then the retrofit is not that hard. But it would be very difficult if you did not have the Audi service manuals and parts information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottiefox Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Wow, retrofit of BOSE. I'd have more chance of finding the end of a rainbow. Top marks for doing this, looks a fabulous (if very fiddly and scope for brain meltdown in my case) job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Top job mate. Been thinking about doing this for quite some time, but not been able to afford the parts new, or aquire them at a reasonable price. Nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Blimey, BOSE is an incredibly complex retrofit! [/ QUOTE ] Not really Ian. [/ QUOTE ] Well not to you, Mr Retrofit! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 [ QUOTE ] forgot to ask Will, what year is your S4? [/ QUOTE ] 04 cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLoskot Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 excellent this TDIAvant. A big thumbs up from me. I'd better get saving.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Awesome job, would love to do this sometime. Well worth doing in my opinion! I guess the beer intake helps calm the nerves when taking the car to bits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 I have just done this and would like to say a big thank you to Lee for both his installation guide and the extra help he has been giving me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now