I just purchased an A3 today. I went with the DSG, which is fantastic, the Premium Package and a couple of other options. It's replacing a 2003 Nissan 350z and from what I can tell I'm not going to miss the extra ponies or lb/ft.

The stock stereo is nice (I opted out of the Bose because I had a Bose system in my Z and it produced some of the most distorted music that I have ever heard) and I was really digging the Ipod interface but it went kaput on me about 25 miles after driving it off the lot, in the middle of a great rendition of the Malaguena by Roy Clark, now I get a "No CD" message whenever I try to utilize the Ipod interface.

Near as I can tell the only thing that changed between the brief period where it was working and when it was not was that I had organized my playlists so that the appropriate ones would appear as "CDs" 1-5. I'm going to try my buddies' Ipod tomorrow and to try and see if the problem is even originating from the A3.

Or maybe it's as simple as the cable linking the Ipod Interface to the Headunit slipping loose. If that's the case then I hope that its an easy fix.

If it matters, I was using a 1st gen Nano. My buddy has 2nd gen, so I'm going to need to switch out the adapter, which seems quite firmly stuck in place. Does anyone else have an A3 with the manufacturer's Ipod Interface? How has it been working out so far?

 

Maybe two or three times in the past 18 months, my DICE iPod interface has seized up or acted nutty. A full power-down (unplugging its cable connection to the head unit) fixes this, so maybe the factory one can benefit from the same method?

-dan

 

Yep - I have the manufacturer's interface.

Yep - The adapters are VERY tight (3rd Gen Nano). I tend to put the iPod in, and then slide the adapter around the iPod - otherwise I'm not sure it would fit.

Mine will play, but has lots of bugs.
- It temporarily hangs at the end of every song (5-60secs) before advancing to the next song. But the steering wheel controls will advance it manually.
- Sometimes it skips from the middle of the current song, to the beginning of the next song (arbitrary behavior)
- Occasionally get the "No CD" even when it's in there. Ejecting, and reloading the iPod usually resolves (but it's annoying).
- iPod doesn't charge when it's in the car.

Haven't had time to VAGCOM or take to the dealer yet. Considering the interface cost almost as much as the iPod, I'd give it a 3 out of 10. Far and away the most disappointing part of the car so far.

Good luck - keep us posted if you get it resolved.

Phil B