My next daily driver

[LagunaH1]

...pretty sure I will want one of these:

[video=youtube;7cqqzryhUQg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cqqzryhUQg[/video]

 

[ReconH3]

They are great and very reliable cars. They have a very serious Achilles tendon. They are TOTALLY ELECTRONICALLY DEPENDENT OF THE DEALER. That includes if battery dies. You can't just swap it. You have to use a VW/Audi specific battery that has a code, that if the dealer doesn't input it, the vehicle won't run properly. If you decide to get it, make sure you order it without a stereo. Their stereos are not compatible with iPods or iPhones. The dealer promised us it was fully compatible. BS! The bluetooth doesn't even recognize the phone. Install your own stereo/nav system. Their OBD is not compatible with standard OBD systems. They have a proprietary encryption. It's a shame because they are well made cars. Unfortunately because of that BS I will never buy another Audi/VW. This is first hand info from personal experience and from chief engineers at VAG. They said that diesel has reached its peak and that in about 10 years it will disappear. You can't get any more power or more environmentally friendly. Their diesels are so damn complicated already.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

 

[LagunaH1]

Their stereos are not compatible with iPods or iPhones.

That has not been my experience recently. A friend of mine has a 2011 Jetta which has the basic stereo / iPod integration and it works fine. A couple of years ago I had a 2006 Audi A4, and that had real issue with BT compatibility like you are describing. I'd be surprised if they haven't improved one things since then.

Even so, ever since I had that A4 I have always made sure to test the BT and iPod integration in the specific car I'm interested in.

 

[abearden]

Their OBD is not compatible with standard OBD systems. They have a proprietary encryption.

Sure about that? OBDII (non-encrypted, easily accessible) was mandated for all vehicle sold in the US as of 1996. They'd be facing a nasty lawsuit and investigation from the FTC if they violated that.

 

[LagunaH1]

I'm wondering if maybe it has a proprietary system bus or protocol, but like you I'd be surprised if it didn't have the mandatory OBDII interface

 

[ReconH3]

All the OBD systems I have, work on any vehicle I have ever tested, except Audi/VW. I don't know if it's fully encrypted, but it definitely doesn't follow standard OBDII protocols. So much so that the manufacturers of the OBD systems even tell you that it won't work on VAG vehicles. Their OBD cables have a dongle to decode their protocols.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

 

[WarMongur]

Dont ya want the wagon version for Daisy?

 

[LagunaH1]

I'd love to, but there is no such thing in the current model year

 

[alrock]

We could fab a wagon for you - sawzall, sheet metal and a rivet gun!

 

[LagunaH1]

I'd want it painted, too