After a couple of weeks of looking around (including lurking here), last Friday (three days ago), I special-ordered my 2007 A3 2.0T: manual, ocean blue, prem, tech, cold weather, and the 8YN package (Radio: AM/FM Third Generation Audi Symphony II) which has:

In-dash 6-disc CD changer
MP3 reading capability
Digital AM/FM tuner with dual diversity antenna system
Radio Data System (RDS) radio station display mode
Graduated Audio Level Adjustment (GALA)
16 AM/FM, 21 satellite radio preset buttons

This last option costs an extra $319 ($350 on the invoice), and seems to be an excellent value.

Today, my salesman called and told me the in-dash CD changer is only available with $1350 Audio Package. Basically you get Bose premium sound and Sirius Satellite Radio support (subscription is extra after the first couple of months) beyond the 8YN package for over $1000, which is not a good value for me. To his credit, he didn't try to upsell, and instead said he'd just remove the 6-cd changer from the order.

I called back and spoke with the sales manager who was very apologetic, and said that apparently Audi has made the expensive audio package a requisite for the 8YN. He said they did the same thing recently with the Q7: Audi pulled the off-road package away 30 days after asking the dealerships to market it.

The same dealership gave me a retail price sheet revised 07-Aug-06 listing 8YN without any requisites, so apparently the policy change occurred within the last 90 days. Also, you can build an A3 on AudiUSA.com today with 8YN, and without the audio package.

Anybody know what is going on here? Is this a bait and switch from Audi? Has anyone ordered or bought a 2007 A3 with 6 cd changer without the Audio package?

 

Good news. This morning, the sales manager spoke with Audi who said they had a glitch in their ordering system. They fixed it, and can now give me the in-dash cd changer without the full audio package . Now I just have to wait another 8+ weeks for delivery....

 

Was going to tell you your dealer doesn't know his product! The system your talking about is the standard unit...upgrade is the Bose. Tried both before buying my A3 and was very happy with the standard unit. With the FM unit on my Ipod and a charger from the 12V Accessory... just what I wanted and it still sounds good!

Enjoy!!!! As of this morning 3212 miles of happiness!