I got an official letter today from Audi, saying right now there is nothing they can do about how the remote works with the concert radio.

and.. according to them it's doing what it's supposed to do.


i just rented a Volvo in the USA with radio remote control on the steering wheel... and guess what...
the buttons in the wheel change from programmed radio station to programmed radio station.. just as we all want it to work.

which confirms.. that our 2009 A3's are unfortunately not doing what they should !

 

This issue with the A3's steering wheel control not flipping through the memory stations is absolutly moronic. I just got my 2009 A3 and never thought to check that...you would think and sane car designer would have this option. Not to mention the whole wheel turning thing, buttons are so much better.
I went back the dealer the next morning after I bought the car and asked them about it, they said thats the way it is. I tried to return the car but they said no way. I have a 3 year lease and can not wait till its over.

Its the little things that drive me crazy, its an Audi, its nearly $35,000 and it has no Ipod intigration and this issue with the radio. A Ford Focus has more options!! and I got the premier and convienence package...

In my opinion the car is remeadial for the price, steering wheel issue, no Ipod, no garage door buttons, the storage in front of the shifter is useless because its so hard to get your hand back there, the seats have no support for a quick car. I could keep going but I will never buy an Audi again because I know how stupid the people that work there are. My 2000 Mercedes C320 was 10 times the car...

 

This issue seems to be only for the 09's?? i have an 07 and it works just fine... And about not buying audi, i would personally have a BMW 3 series x drive, but they don't seem to have the "feel" of the audi a3. The bimmer seems to be more "bland" if you will. (no offence, the BMW brand is awsome. My family had at one point 5 BMWs. We sent the picture in to Roundel magazine some years ago...)

 

in reply to 'whishing4bmw'....

I agree that the interior could have been done way better.. I come out of a Volvo V70... and the storage spaces in there were far better.
The Audi's interior quality though is simply superb and superior to the Volvo's !
However after almost driving the A3 for a year, I'm still searching for places to put my house keys, iPhone and can of Coca, because .. let's be honest what is the point of having a cup holder under a sliding door UNDER the arm rest ? (where it's hard to reach anyway)

As much as I love Audi... they really should listen to some of our concerns here.. as it can only improve the car !

As for BMW... sorry but except for the 3 coupe/convertible and the 6 coupe which I like, I find the Audi car line's overall design far superior... it's like BMW started making less appealing cars a while ago (to my taste that is...)

 

How could wishing4bmw complain about seat support when he got the non-performance package? The S-line models all had supportive seats that many people complained that it was too supportive. The steering wheel buttons doesn't seem to be an issue with Symphony or RNS-E units.

 

I sold the Audi A3 ! switched to a GOLD BlueMotion... with properly working remote ! (and better working on board computer !)

 

Annoying as hell and happens exactly the same here, with my 2009 A3.

I got the original MP3 radio system and havn't even upgraded to their touchscreen as their price was way out of proportion.

I'm planning a carputer with an compatible touch screen that might make me lose my steering wheel controls ...

but hi! except for volume control, nothing else works (frequancy is "seeking' and not "channel changing". Bluetooth controls dont work as no bluetooth installed with the original mp3 system, etc.).


Will report back.

 

I'm sad to report that the same happens to my brand spanking new car. This is lame..

 

Would you say this is a dealbreaker for you? I plan on picking up a new 2010 A3 in 2 weeks. Hope this won't be something that'll bother me.

 

No, this isn't a deal breaker. I'm too busy enjoying the rest of the car =)