MDI niggles

[kennyc]

Is it possible to remove it from the factory fit and then move it to the golvebox?

[G-rig]

Is it possible to remove it from the factory fit and then move it to the golvebox?

That's a lot of work why would you bother?

Armrest is good if you are using an iphone etc, but i dont mind glovebox either.

[Guest1306]

With the extra labour and parts involved (new glove box insert) you would end up at the same cost of just retro fitting it.

Although I personally prefer the factory fitted option, I do have one complaint, and it has been the same on every car I have had (I have had dozens at this stage) with factory fitted MDI, and that is the cable. It is too short and clumsy. In all cases, the space to fit the I-Pod and cable is too small, and it eventually ends up damaging the lead and or the I-Pod, causing random problems (not charging, going back to song A every time you shut the car off etc...) The space is just too small to squeeze both into..

Perhaps Volkswagen will issue a revised unit in the coming years to combat this, or perhaps I am just doing something wrong...

[G-rig]

Dermot is the cable the same one that comes in the retrofit kit, or a shorter one? Wouldnt mind seeing a pic, as i thought the ipod would just plug into a dock or something?

[Maverick]

Never said it would but quite frankly the sound system is crap for a $45-50k car and most people expect better. A few upgrades don't hurt, but some people wouldn't 'get it' if they aren't into music or have wooden ears.

I don't have a problem with the stock system once you set it up properly and I'm sure most people don't either. The dynaudio upgrade is there for those that want more. It's the interior of a small car and everything you do is going to be compromised by the fact it's a car, it's a small/medium size and it's price point (starting at $25,000).

Wouldnt be that different to the expensive kufatec crap like video in motion, and wouldn't allow you to use it while the car is moving. If you're adding a media interface anyway it may as well include video (for USB & ipod), but give it a few years.

So video for USB would have to support the many different codecs and so forth? I can't see them doing that nor supporting video from icrud when there is no need for it.

The USB jack comes on all of them which also has an AUX jack like our VW's. The people who want to use an ipod can buy the extra cable. Those who don't don't.

The Aux In jack is an option as well.

http://www.bmw.com.au/com/en/owners/...usb_audio.html
How do you navigate through a library of 10,000 songs? Preferably on the road using the vehicle's control functions. Almost all common MP3 players, Apple iPods and USB sticks can be integrated effortlessly with the audio system. The title of the track being played is displayed either on the control or radio display. MP3 players and Apple iPhones can be operated directly from the central console. All common formats are supported (MP3, AAC, WAV and WMA) as well as M3U-format playlists. To integrate an Apple iPod or Apple iPhone, the BMW cable adapter for Apple iPod/iPhone equipment option is required.

This doesn't say anything about standard. I've posted on this forum before the thousands of dollars it costs for usb/icrud integration in BMW cars. Search seems fubar at the moment so I can't find it.

Either way the dealers should be specing the cars from the factory to include the interface as most people want it and expect it on an expensive car.

I disagree, the car has a 32gb sd card slot that can be used. Most people don't want it and reasonable people wouldn't expect it standard in what is a small/medium sized entry level car.

[Maverick]

Dermot is the cable the same one that comes in the retrofit kit, or a shorter one? Wouldnt mind seeing a pic, as i thought the ipod would just plug into a dock or something?

Volkswagen Media Device Interface (MDI)

Photo is here, not sure if they include the other aux in with the Mark VI's?

The units just flop around in there. The glovebox is a better location especially if you leave your usb storage or icrud in the car all the time as you can easily mount it permanently in there out of the way, it's cooled and it's cooler when the car is parked in the sun. Plus you don't lose any storage space as the MDI is behind the dash.

[Guest1306]

Dermot is the cable the same one that comes in the retrofit kit, or a shorter one? Wouldnt mind seeing a pic, as i thought the ipod would just plug into a dock or something?

It is about 250mm long, and there is no dock. Audi's MMI Interface has an actual dock, which would be handy. But with Volkswagen's set up you have to squeeze the I-Pod and Cable into a slot that just seems add. It is the same as the retro fit glove box cable, but with the retro kit you are plugging your interface cable into another cable, which has some movement.

[G-rig]

Looking at that pic the short cable terminates in a USB.. a assume dermot is saying once you put the ipod cable on as well as the ipod then it could be a snug fit in that space.

Dont think it's a bit issue either way and if the glovebox was better why wouldn't the factory fit it like that? The glove box is small anyway and the cable and ipod can stop it from closing half the time.

Ps. The audi one looks fairly neat (in the glove box i assume) but looks to take up a bit of room:

[pulse]

I don't have a problem with the stock system once you set it up properly and I'm sure most people don't either.

hi maverick, found this quite interesting. did you have a link/instructions on how one would set up the stock system properly?

cheers

[G-rig]

So video for USB would have to support the many different codecs and so forth? I can't see them doing that nor supporting video from icrud when there is no need for it.

I don't watch video in the car or see the point of it, but interesting how other brands like Alpine can manage it just with a composite + usb/ipod cable.

The Aux In jack is an option as well.

A poor option, as you can't control it from the headunit and looking down while driving is a bit more dangerous than using the MFSW controls or touch screen.

I disagree, the car has a 32gb sd card slot that can be used. Most people don't want it and reasonable people wouldn't expect it standard in what is a small/medium sized entry level car.

A GTI is small/medium car, but hardly an entry level one for the price.. not unfair to expect the basics (even if it's $270).

[Guest1306]

I don't know how to upload an image, but if I figure out how to I will explain.

The photo shown above is referring to an A3 or A4 i guess. I remember my Audi Q7 and A6 back home had an actual dock in the glove box.

[G-rig]

I don't know how to upload an image, but if I figure out how to I will explain.

The photo shown above is referring to an A3 or A4 i guess. I remember my Audi Q7 and A6 back home had an actual dock in the glove box.

I use imageshack.us, then paste the link using the pic button in the advanced reply panel, or type

[IMG]url of image[/IMG]

[G-rig]

Thanks, that looks like enough room to fit in.

Wouldn't be too hard to mount a 'holester' on one side of the compartment like a proclip that secures the ipod. Or if you have other stuff in there too that would stop it moving around anyway.

[Corey_R]

Or even some foam from clark rubber etc.

[kennyc]

Do you have a picture of what it looks like in the glovebox?