I'm now wondering if I can even put in an aftermarket head unit in my 2005 A4 3.0 V6?

Sinful admission - as an 10 yr BMW 3 series owner, I recently purchased a 2005 A4 V6 3.0

I was told the car/radio was "Satellite Ready" So I ordered the Sirius tuner, as it was "on clearance" from VAG for $37. Great price, happy customer.

I asked the dealer to install the tuner yesterday.

However they found that the car has the "wrong radio" and is NOT satellite ready. They stated I needed a new radio part #
8E0 035 195 G

The "right" radio sells for $899 vs. the
8E0 035 195 A which can be found for under $100. I believe that is the radio that is in the car.

I would like to keep a factory radio in the car but cannot begin to justify $899 for the "right" radio.

Could I possibly use any other part number/radio from any other Audi? as I can find A3 radios that look identical for under $100
8P0 035 195 K

If not can I just go ahead and have an aftermarket car stereo installed without messing up the on board diagnostics or any other electrical concerns in the car? Anything I should be concerned with?

 

Does your radio have a SAT button? if it does then you should have the correct radio. if you press the button it should say no sat radio. If you have the shark fin antenna on the roof, it is prewired, believe all 05 s are. The install is simple. I did it in about 3 minutes on my 05 (B6) a4 3.0 using a butter knife as the only tool needed (I wasnt at home) Unit came in the same day my car was in shop for timing belt, and I did the install in the trunk while my mechanic was changing some codes. There are directions on audiworld tech articles. Just dont do like that idiot and take your whole trunk apart. Then have to switch one plug under passenger kick panel, did that in a parking lot while my girl was shopping. PM me with any questions, it is really simple! Dont pay the dealer to do it.

As far as aftermarket, its been done many times before, I was pricing a new kenwood screen with nav, bluetooth, and ipod at crutchfield, and was told you need 2 harnesses to hook up, and one to keep steering wheel controls. But I dont know for sure as I havent done this yet, but do some searching online, been done many times, that is a popular mod, as an aftermarket nav system is cheaper, and probably has more features than factory.

 

Oh, and after reading your post again, there is no way in HELL i would pay $899 for a factory radio. Price a kenwood touchscreen, dvd,nav, bluetooth, ipod control etc. including all harnesses and dash kit for $1,000