Just bought a 2006 A6 and have to say the car is just incredible. I have a 2006 Audi A6 with Nav, CD changer, Sat radio, Bluetooth, MMI, but no AMI. I know the AMI wasn't an option until 2007, but you could upgrade the 2006's. I have been searching the threads here trying to find a definitive answer, but many of them are older and they continue to bring up the denison unit. That and there seems to be something special about the 2006 compared to the 2005 A6. Is there anyway to buy a relatively cheap kit to have an Aux. input? I have read about the Denison Gateway as well as a few others, but they seem a bit pricey. I don't care about controlling an ipod or iphone thru the MMI and I know I can buy an AMI. AMI is definitely too pricey and the Denison unit would be nice, but not worth $500 to me. I know the denison works thru the CD changer and that is how it works thru the MMI, but I don't use my MP3 player enough for that kind of cost. What are my options regarding streaming through the bluetooth, or direct connection to the CD changer or Sat radio connections?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I thought I would get some more feedback. I have another idea. Can't I just add a TV tuner module. Then control my ipod from the ipod. My MMI screen would be blank in Nav mode when playing just music from the ipod, but I would get an aux input for music with a DVD player option.
Something like this http://naviservice.com.pl/?item=42&t=1333648729


Comments....

 

My daughter bought a little dongle for her iPod that lets her broadcast on a few FM frequencies that I can tune in on my existing radio. It had to be cheap and it works. She also uses it with her A4.

 

Thanks for the info, but the FM transmitters have terrible sound quality when compared to CD or direct Audio inputs. There are other options out there for direct connection. You can buy them for about $140 such as this AUDI MMI MOST iPod Aux In Adatper Interface A6 A8 Q7 | eBay . The upper end FM transmitters are still $75-80. I tried the one by Griffin called the iTrip Auto Pilot from Best Buy and wasn't impressed especially when you throw in the fact that this is all running thru a Bose system. Thanks anyway

 

2006audi, congrats on your purchase. I myself bought one the beginning of this year too. Increditable machine right. What engine do you have? v6 3.2 or v8 4.2? How about tranny? CVT Fronttrak or Quattro?
Well now to the topic at hand.

Denison Gateway vs AMI

Denison Gateway has a lots of options. A lot of Aux. input and output and video playback.
iPod in car
Bluetooth car kit(With BTA1500 Bluetooth car kit)(extra cost)
Play iPod video or DVD(Requires Audio Video Router (AVR) accessory and/or DVD source)(extra cost)
Charge your iPod/iPhone
Denison Gateway there are some modifications to be made wiring and module coding.

AMI it's a pretty basic unit that charges your ipod and the only drawback its doesn't work with the Iphones 'cause the 06 have HIGH MMI or MMI 2G(the MMI 3G does work with the iPhone). Another thing you could swap out cables for different uses. Ipod, USB, 3.5mm and even a Bluetooth adopter.(USB is perfect, 2.5 HHD in glovebox with all the endless music)
With AMI you'll only need to update the SW first before installing the AMI and its Plug & Play. No code changing(if you want keep the CD Changer too you could just need to buy optical cable and the power cable)

Both unit operate through the CD button.

If your going Denison Gateway get the 500.

If your going AMI the part#4E0035785B,4E0035785F and they replace the Part# with 4E0057785F so just look for this part#'s.(There and some unit that look alike but aren't compatible show look out for that) The unit is a MOST(Nav, etc.) not a CAN(nonNav).

If you want to keep you car stock, AMI is the best way to go. I think stock keeps it value more then after market products.

I recently bought AMI on eBay used for under $200(the value of $700 or more).
Check eBay there are some deals you just have look often(took me 4weeks and it only has 2 mins of being post with a buy now. I jump on it).

I'll post link for AMI, installing instructions, SW and cables.

Installing Instructions: AMI/IPOD Retrofit for Audi MMI

AMI Module:Audi Music Interface AMI New Genuine Ipod Iphone USB Interface MP3 Retrofit | eBay

Harness Cables:eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

SW Update:2007 S6 MMI 2G Update CDs (US) (Used Sony CD-R)

If you need part for only AUDI or VW and there the cheapest believe when I say that, I do my reach. The other may have lower prices but the taxes and the shipping is where they get you. genuinevwaudiparts.com

 

Eazy, thanks for all the info. I'll be honest, I've been looking into this for weeks. I have come across a bunch of options from the Dension, to VNS Media( Audi Music Interface iPod iPhone 4 OS 5.0 AMI MMI 2G High A4 S4 A5 S5 A6 A8 Q7 | eBay ), to this aux. input unit($142) ( Audi Music Interface iPod iPhone 4 OS 5.0 AMI MMI 2G High A4 S4 A5 S5 A6 A8 Q7 | eBay ). I can't seem to make up my mind. I don't want to spend the money on the Dension unit $420 plus shipping. I have the money, it's just hard to justify $420 to add an aux. input to connect my iphone/ipod. That just seems ridiculous. Some one else said it better in another post. How come you can go out and buy a 2005 or 2006 Audi for $50,000+ new w/o an aux. input or ipod interface, but you can buy a brand new 2006 ford fiesta for $15,000 with it. At this point I'm thinking of all possibilities. Can I replace my nav unit with a DVD player that has an aux. audio in? That way I could play movies thru my MMI display, change the input on the DVD player to Audio in, then just play my ipod music. I realize my display would be blank when playing music, but would it work? I like having Nav, but I have the old original DVD nav disc. It's pretty much useless now unless I upgrade. The discs are kind of pricey for not much return because the nav. system is 6 year old technology and it's not the 3G anyway. What are your thoughts? What about a TV tuner unit? What would that give me?

By the way I love the car. I have the 3.2L with Quattro. I really wanted the 4.2L V8, but gas prices being at $4.20-4.50 gallon in Chicago make it hard to justify. Also, it kind of pisses me off that I couldn't get a stick. The 3.2L is kind of doggy, at least it would be more fun to drive with a stick. Why they only made them available in Europe is beyond me. At least make them available in the S6.

 

2006audi, congrats on your purchase. I myself bought one the beginning of this year too. Increditable machine right. What engine do you have? v6 3.2 or v8 4.2? How about tranny? CVT Fronttrak or Quattro?
Well now to the topic at hand.

Denison Gateway vs AMI

Denison Gateway has a lots of options. A lot of Aux. input and output and video playback.
iPod in car
Bluetooth car kit(With BTA1500 Bluetooth car kit)(extra cost)
Play iPod video or DVD(Requires Audio Video Router (AVR) accessory and/or DVD source)(extra cost)
Charge your iPod/iPhone
Denison Gateway there are some modifications to be made wiring and module coding.

AMI it's a pretty basic unit that charges your ipod and the only drawback its doesn't work with the Iphones 'cause the 06 have HIGH MMI or MMI 2G(the MMI 3G does work with the iPhone). Another thing you could swap out cables for different uses. Ipod, USB, 3.5mm and even a Bluetooth adopter.(USB is perfect, 2.5 HHD in glovebox with all the endless music)
With AMI you'll only need to update the SW first before installing the AMI and its Plug & Play. No code changing(if you want keep the CD Changer too you could just need to buy optical cable and the power cable)

Both unit operate through the CD button.

If your going Denison Gateway get the 500.

If your going AMI the part#4E0035785B,4E0035785F and they replace the Part# with 4E0057785F so just look for this part#'s.(There and some unit that look alike but aren't compatible so look out for that) The unit is a MOST(Nav, etc.) not a CAN(nonNav).

If you want to keep you car stock, AMI is the best way to go. I think stock keeps it value more then after market products.

I recently bought AMI on eBay used for under $200(the value of $700 or more).
Check eBay there are some deals you just have look often(took me 4weeks and posting just had 2 mins of being post with a buy now. I jump on it).

I'll post link for AMI, installing instructions, SW and cables.

Installing Instructions: AMI/IPOD Retrofit for Audi MMI

AMI Module:eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Harness Cables:eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

SW Update:2007 S6 MMI 2G Update CDs (US) (Used Sony CD-R)

If you need part for only AUDI or VW and there the cheapest believe when I say that, I do my reach. The other may have lower prices but the taxes and the shipping is where they get you. genuinevwaudiparts.com

 

It's true about no Aux plug, a Ford as one and not Audi? I think the MMI engineer had one to many and forgot Aux for the C6.

Well removing Nav DVD drive will make the Nav feature useless. But for now here's a newer Nav DvD NAmerica Nav 2010:
Audi MMI 2G North America Navigation DVD 2010.iso (download torrent) - TPB

Well if your planning on watching movie or tv on the MMI there is many options but come with a price and the Aux isn't included.
Before there was a option of a module with Aux and TV but they discontinue them 'cause they had issue with them(I don't believe that.The module was about $250). It's all about money so they split them up and sky rocketed the price for the modules.

Before I start do you have a backup camera and sensor?
Let say you do then this is. Then Option #1:eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices I told you it pricey.

Option #2 AUDI MMI Video Multimedia Interface A6 A8 Q7 UK | eBay This is a good option the interface has a built in FM Modulator by tuning radio onto 87.9FM. with this interface you have 4 inputs: 1 backup camera and 3AV.(bluray player, game console, ipod video/iphone in glove box not bad at all). and you get to keep your CD Changer.(I'm buying this unit in the near future for TV, video playback and backup camera).

Gas prices are nuts right now. I got myself 4.2 Quattro S-line, it's sweet *** hell(blk/blk) but draining on the wallet. The good think is I only drive weekends(F-S).

I got Q for 2006Audi. the previous owner butcher my orange bumper marker wiring. Is it possible for you to take a few pix of the wiring close to bulb so I could, some how correct the problem. Let me know.

Thanks

Hope the info helps.

 

Eazy

Thanks for the info. The FM transmitter doesn't appeal to me. It would be fine for movies but for music I wouldn't be happy. I just don't use the nav. Maybe it would be better with the updated disc, but even then I heard the updates are older then the disc. So a 2010 may have maps as new as 2009. That's still 3 years old and when it comes to Gps that's ancient especially in chicago or some of where I drive in the Midwest for work. I have gps on my Verizon phone that's the s**t with automatic updates, 3D city maps, and real time traffic. I would prefer the car Gps but it's just so out of date. I'll keep thinking about it but leaning toward an Audi AMI for just the music.

I wanted an S4 some years ago but got a jeep GC so I could tow. Then started looking again and they are just too small. So then I wanted an S6 but out of my price range so got a 2006 A6 with 88k for $15,600 out the door. It's pristine black/black also. Got a good deal I think as I shopped around quite a bit.
What do I have to do to my side marker so you can see what you need?

 

[QUOTE=2006audi;1376430]Eazy

Thanks for the info. The FM transmitter doesn't appeal to me. It would be fine for movies but for music I wouldn't be happy. I just don't use the nav. Maybe it would be better with the updated disc, but even then I heard the updates are older then the disc. So a 2010 may have maps as new as 2009. That's still 3 years old and when it comes to Gps that's ancient especially in chicago or some of where I drive in the Midwest for work. I have gps on my Verizon phone that's the s**t with automatic updates, 3D city maps, and real time traffic. I would prefer the car Gps but it's just so out of date. I'll keep thinking about it but leaning toward an Audi AMI for just the music.

I wanted an S4 some years ago but got a jeep GC so I could tow. Then started looking again and they are just too small. So then I wanted an S6 but out of my price range so got a 2006 A6 with 88k for $15,600 out the door. It's pristine black/black also. Got a good deal I think as I shopped around quite a bit.
What do I have to do to my side marker so you can see what you need?

Ohh and I do have the backup sensors but no rear camera