the_duke

So my 2005 has OnStar which of course is useless. I want handsfree phone and streaming audio. My question is this. If I retrofit AMI can I use the Iphone cable bluetooth adapter trick to not only stream audio but make phone calls as well? I'm guessing not.

If not it seems a Dension 500BT or similar is my best option.

MP4.2+6.0

Bluetooth phone and bluetooth music (A2DP) are two different things as far as the car is concerned. Folks with 2004s and early 2005s have done the bluetooth phone add in various ways. You do bluetooth music on top of AMI.

the_duke

That is what I expected. My confusion comes from using bluetooth adapters with my Android phone. These all seem to have both streaming audio and call audio.

Sounds like Dension is my cheapest/easiest option as it gives BT streaming audio and call audio.

richard-tx

I think your best bet is to swap out the Onstar for bluetooth phone. Once that is done, then you can deal with the bluetooth audio issue. I wanted the ability to control the remote devices from the MMI which is why I went with the Audi AMI.

If you have not upgraded the MMI software/firmware, now is the time to do it.

the_duke

MMI software is up to date. I looked at replacing Onstar with the bluetooth module but you are correct then I have to add AMI or Dension to have streaming audio. The Dension will do both Bluetooth A2DP and phone audio for way less money and time.

TSHong

If I were in your shoes I would definitely do the Dension unit which integrates both phone and streaming with MMI.

Cboogie

I'm a newby.
I think the benefits of all the connectable options and BT for calls for the Dension is the best option in my short research. I will be buying one next payday.

richard-tx

The Denison Gateway 500 is a pricey little beast. $530. Looks like it is being discounted to about $300

the_duke

Cboogie found it for $450 and I found it for $460. You want the 500s BT for the newest version with Bluetooth. Still much cheaper than adding Audi Bluetooth phone module and AMI to my car. Also much simpler. Although I need to figure out how to splice in the factory microphone to the Dension.

richard-tx

I disagree.

The Audi BT module is about $55 on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191629847376?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82
The AMI was about $430 from my dealer.
The install kit for the AMI was about $100.

While the Audi solution is a little more expensive, it isn't a lot - plus you don't have to splice wires or go diving into the fuse block or splice microphone cable. Installation time is a about 30 minutes.