Hey i'm new to this forum but i am in love with Audi a4/s4 B5...i am in the process of purchasing either a 1998-1999 a4 1.8T Quattro...

My reason for this thread; I would prefer the 2000-2001 center console with double DIN radio opening. Has anyone ever done a swap of the center console?? will a console from 00-01 fit a 98-99 model?? If swap has been done please post pics if possible or kindly direct me to the right source.

I apologize if there's already a thread addressing this issue, but as i stated earlier im new. Thanx in advance for the help.

 

Not sure, but i believe it would fit. Im not worried about the external part of the console fitting as much as i am as the guts behind the radio. The console bolts to this big metal contraption behind the radio that holds all the modules, if you did do the swap, you would need that big metal carrier. As for the size of the console, it should drop right in.

 

Thanx for your input, i was thinking the same.

i still would like to see pics and hear from someone that has done this swap before, to tell me about the process and all.

im pretty handy myself so i wouldn't have a problem doing labor, i just wanna see what im getting into before i take a stab @ it.

 

you would have to buy the double din cage. its been done..if you need a pic, just look at a 2000-2001 a4 with the double din already installed.

you could either get a salvaged cage from an wreck a4 or purchase it at www.ebay.eu and have it shipped overseas.

 

i have seen pics and even been face to face with both single DIN & double DIN consoles...What i meant was pictures of the install, like a walkthrough or story line kinda deal.

and thanx for the source for getting a console, im definately gonna pursue this project as soon as i get my A4 & i'll take pics of install and process for all to see.

 

You need to buy a bentley manual to take this apart, there is literally WAY too much stuff to take apart to do a write up. If i wrote one up, it would take literally 4,000 words and over 200 steps. Its not a cake walk to remove one of these consoles, you need factory directions.

 

i hear that...fine lol ill just do my swap, take as many pics as i can of the process...but ill definately include a b4 & after pic...

i realli appreciate all the info guyz

 

Be sure to cut all the connectors. You are going to have to do some wiring. I'm not even sure the wiring is the same. For example, the airbag wiring to the front seats for my 98 have only two wires. The 01 has 3 wires. Also, the 98 sunroof switch has 3 wires. The 01 has 5 wires. I pulled a complete interior out of a 01 and tired to put it in my 98. It was a pain! Half the pieces don't even fit. By the time I got to the center console, I gave up. If you ask me, it's not worth the trouble. You will also need a radio removal tool to pull the radio. I didn't have one, so I ended up breaking the face off the radio to remove it. Audi's are only lovable if you have deep pockets to pay people to do the work. My audi is sitting in the drive way in pieces because I can't finish the timing belt without the timing tools (which I had to order to finish the job.) Audi didn't put any meaningful timing marks like all the other cars I've worked on. A tech at my cousins work was off on the timing by one tooth and ended up bending 3 exhaust valves and cracking the pistons. Lucky customer got a brand new engine for the price of a timing belt job.

 

...I'm sorry, but you need stop, put down the wrench, grab a beer, and promptly CEASE attempting to work on cars. I mean, of COURSE you need radio keys to remove the radio.. they cost $5 at your local car stereo store, man. And you tried to do a timing belt without the appropriate tools on hand? Seriously.

To the OP; as has already been said, you'll want to make sure you get the whole assembly, including the frame parts behind the console. In my 1997, that is comprised of two vertical brackets which bolt to the upper dash and the drivetrain tunnel, with the assemblies for holding the accessory buttons, stereo, and climate control which bolt to those brackets.

I think the trickiest part of swapping the center console would be fitting the climate control - facelift A4's had a different control unit, and I would assume it has completely different wiring, so you'd probably be best to retro-fit the pre-facelift control unit into the new dash. Should be doable with a little handiwork with some plastic to fill in the gaps around it. And of course the wiring for the stereo and all the accessory buttons will be different, so be sure and have wiring diagrams on hand for both.

 

MrFlippant, do you even know anything about working on cars? Or are you just talking with head knowledge? I was out in the middle of nowhere when I was parting out the car. What makes you think I want to leave, go buy a radio tool, and then come back when the radio was something I didn't even want in the first place? And how many timing jobs have you done to get to the point that you have some confidence to do things without a manual? Seriously.

"Should be doable with a little handiwork with some plastic to fill in the gaps around it."

Do you even know what you're talking about?

"I think the trickiest part of swapping the center console would be fitting the climate control - facelift A4's had a different control unit, and I would assume it has completely different wiring, so you'd probably be best to retro-fit the pre-facelift control unit into the new dash"

If you 've taken apart the 00-01 center console, you would already know that everything bolts right up if you get every piece out and that there is no need for "some plastic to fill in the gaps." Seriously. Talk is cheap. Do more than look at some pictures, read up on stuff, and picture things in your mind. Go out there and do it yourself. Then talk about it.