retro fitting rear parking sensors to B5

[ChrisG]

as above really, anybody done this ?
I'm actually being a bit lazy - what I need to know is are the sensor positions marked on the back of the bumper cover as they are on the B6s or am I going to have to work it all out !
Thanks

[andream88]

i don't think the b5 came with parking sensor, so you'll probably need to work it all out

[tdiquattro]

I have them, the uk cars did not, but the personal imports can have., the parts are listed on etka, the sensors are in the black section along the edge below the rear bumper.

[Virdee Autos]

If it'a anything like the Passat I did last time, then you can buy the lower rear valance for parking sensors, (have a look on ETKA), and then either use an aftermarket kit, or use the OEM parts, by having a look again on ETKA to see what you'll need.

The lower rear valance makes it much neater, than drilling holes in your bumper!

[jimbo1234567]

if you need parking sensors buy a smaller car or fit a towbar, seriously they make the car look crap especially those ones that are incorporated in a number plate surround

[Dippy]

Not a great pic, but here's one of the back of my car.

http://www.dpe.org.uk/cars/images/5-3.jpg

You can see two of the sensors in the black valance.

So I think that the rear APS for the S4 (indeed was not offered to UK customers, but available from other EU dealers including for UK-spec cars) actuallt requires a completely different rear bumper.

[MikeBent]

First post!

Chris,

I have only just seen this post so if it is too late then.....

I did this retrofit with the parts listed in ETKA.
The S4 rear bumper on my car (MY2000), did have the holes marked and it also has the small tabs which locate the 'S4 parking sensor mounting parts' in the correct position.

Mike

[rtd]

Mike do you have any pics of the fitting and completed job?

[dace]

Not a great pic, however I have them on mine. I bought the car with them on and they work ok.

[rtd]

they dont look to bad dave, however apart from considering this route im also thinking of these! http://www.laser-star-direct.co.uk/

nice car mate!

[dace]

Oh yes, dual purpose also.....

[MikeBent]

rtd,

I've attached a few pictures of the finished back bumper.
Sorry, but I didn't take any during the installation.

To do the job, remove the rear bumper and you will see the pre-marked sensor holes. I drilled them out using a 25mm drill. Each sensor is held in place by an 'S4 mounting part'. They are handed and there are 2 left ones and 2 right ones. These mounting parts consist of a plastic holder for the sensor and a lighter grey metal cylinder that pushes through the hole that you just drilled. Each sensor is then pushed into the mounting part with a click.

Because I bought both of the required Audi wiring harnesses, installation was fairly straight forward.

The external wiring harness connects the four sensors and is completely waterproof. It passess through a hole in the the body on the right side once a plastic plug is removed. There is a moulded grommit on the external harness that seals the hole.

I had to remove both of the rear boot trim panels, the rear seat bottom and the right hand internal sill trim to do the job.

The buzzer unit fits on a plastic bracket behind the left hand boot trim. The control unit fits in a foam packing under the rear seat on the right side. The internal harness connects the buzzer, the control unit and the external harness.

The internal wiring harness then runs under the right hand sill trim to the multi connector block in the drivers footwell under the fuse box. Here I connected the 'k' line, power, earth, vehicle speed wire and reverse wire.

I still have to connect the 'trailer attached' wire to the control unit as there is a factory tow bar fitted to my car; but as I don't intend towing, I may not bother.

The control unit is programmed by VAGCom and all works well.

This is not cheap compared to after market systems. It cost me about £500 for all the bits (the 2 wiring harnesses were £190, control unit £90 and each sensor was £50.)

There is something about having an OEM retrofit though, and being able to programme it through VAGCom is something of a fetish don't you think?

The system works great and stops me from reverse parking like an idiot (ie leaving a 6 foot gap behind the car because I'm too paranoid about pranging it.)

I must say that without ETKA and ELSAwin, this would have been non starter for me.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[rtd]

Thanks Mike. To cold for me to go out and see if I have that section under my bumper on the RS4. However, if it does then only one question for ya, when can I come round to get mine fitted!

[MikeBent]

rtd,

I've just noticed that you have an RS4.

I don't think that the RS4 bumper is shown in ETKA with park sensors, I will check. You may have to fit them in the painted section as per dace but the rest of my post would still apply. I'd be interested to see if there were any marks on the inside of your bumper.

One of the reasons I did this retrofit was because the sensors were in the lower, unpainted section of the bumper and a little less conspicuous than those fitted in the painted section.

This retrofit was quite a nice one to do DIY, much easier than the BOSE retrofit I did and a lot easier than the RNS-E fit. I am quite happy to help you do the wiring if you do the bumper removing and drilling!

Mike

[rtd]

Mike I'm not very DIY-ish with cars! Anyways I think you are right the RS4 does not have that section in its bumper.....It looks much better on the S4 than the RS i think having ti stick it in the bumper. Those other sensors whcih act as the parking aids are also very good!!!!!!