Removal of phone cradle

[sync24]

I am seriously looking for a RS4 Avant and I am seeing one on Monday and one possibly later next week. A few I've seen photo's of have the factory phone cradle installed. Is this an awkward and expensive job to remove and install a surround that does not have the cradle. Are the surrounds available? If so where from [a breakers?] - I guess this will mean a reprog ETC as well ....

Any info appreciated!

Cheers - Kev.

[adsgreen]

I got a new centre console from ebay for 30 quid.
Hassle but not impossible.
Then got a spec.dock for the phone

[AndyRS4Glos]

When I bought my car from the dealer I made it a condition of sale that they get the cradle removed. I believe they had one of these mobile guys who fix trims to attend to the job. It was very well done and left no visible marks.

[stu]

I'll be heading the replacement console route eventually. The cradle has great functionality if you happen to have an iPhone 3 or 4 but that's about it. Ugly.

I has a good look at that ashtray crade you mentioned before ads - its a very elegant solution. Worth the dough IMO.

For anyone that's interested in moving away from iPhones I'm playing with a Nexus 4 which has wireless charging. An induction coil butchered from a charger would fit very nicely under the ashtray lid. Only if the Nexus is a keeper - it's flipping massive

[androidmarrs]

I removed my phone cradle and made 2 aluminum sections out of 10mm thick alloy plate, shaped they the same as the centre console and rubbed them in 1 direction with 400 grit to give a brushed look, then polished 2 m5 cap screws and fixed in. The photos dont do it justice but when I ask people they think they are ment to be there.

IMG_7502.JPG (17.79 KiB) Viewed 2166 times

[murph7355]

.. The photos dont do it justice but when I ask people they think they are ment to be there.
....

Definitely needs better photos in that case

I believe replacement consoles can be had new for 130 quid and it's 3hrs of labour to swap them (going by what I've been told whilst looking).

[androidmarrs]

I will try and get a better photo during the day without the flash but will not be home for another week as im offshore the now.

[victor2vt]

Mine had the 'phone cradle, got a replacement centre dash off e.bay, took it to Revolution, they swopped them over at a very reasonable price, and we then sold the

dash with the cradle on e.bay no problem !!

DO NOT take it to an Audi dealer to do, they tell you it is a very difficult and time consuming job and will charge you a J"**s eye to do it

I have Bluetooth connection and it works perfectly

Your local indi is the place to go !

[K7ngy]

We have swapped one for a customer, if I remember correctly it was £120 plus about 3-4 hours two swap it over.

[MikeFish]

victor, I'm puzzled as to what a J"**s eye could possibly be!?! The only thing I can think of that beings with J and ends with eye is Japs eye but that doesn't fit there or make sense, unless this is a Geordie saying?

[victor2vt]

Yeah it's a Geordie saying

[MaLicE]

3 hours? it took me just about an hour to remove and refit mine in my s4 which is the same as you rs4 guys use lol! pull radio, remove arm rest, remove gear surround, pull handbrake cover off (both parts) then about 10 screws/bolts around the console not forgetting the 2 under the hidden covers in foot well, and it pulls out after you disconnect the cig lighter and start button. LOADS of online guides how to do it, longest part for me was working out how to remove handbrake cover!

[Jph]

I removed my cradle a few mjonths ago and covered the holes (temporarily) with black insulation tape..... It make the cabin look so much smarted without that ugly cradle just hanging there obstructing the glovebox.

I'm going to fit a new centre-console over the next month or so - can anyone recommend the best place to buy a replacement?

I'm assuming a main dealer is the only choice but are there any that offer better discounts? When I had a BMW there were a handful of main-dealers that were well known for being 'helpful' to enthusiasts like ourselves and offered discount on parts despite not being in the trade - do such people exist in the Audi world?

Thanks.

[adsgreen]

like above, i got mine from ebay.

You don't have to get an rs4 specific one - the B6 one is fine. The cigarette lighter/starter button is a removable unit so don't need those.

[MaLicE]

Supposedly the b7 version (rs4 one not s4 as the b7 s4 has cup holders and different console which u can't fit the start button on) has a better more durable finish compared to the b6 one that has the rubbery coating?


If someone wants one of these fitted come to me and I will do it for you for free lol forget paying someone 120 to replace!