retrofitting parking sensors

[JohnW]

okay, okay.
let me explain. [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

The wife will get to regularly drive 'our' car (RS4), and in an effort to keep as much paint on the bumpers as possible (I'm in for such a slap if she reads this !) I'm toying with the idea of retrofitting parking sensors.

I have the following questions though.

1) Are the S/A3 and S/A4 sensors & warning modules the same ?
2) are they audible only, or visual too (makes no odds except where to fit the display I guess)

3) do the sensors come in body colour, or are they sprayed ?

I know this will be a bit of game to do, what with having to remove the bumpers, but I'd rather do that than have to get them repainted (alloy wheels on last car lasted 3 days before the first 'incident' ! [img]images/graemlins/9mm.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/newsaw.gif[/img] )

Cheers all.
John.

[Dippy]

John,

AFAIK APS was not available on UK S4s and RS4s. The reason for this is the rear bumper design. I have an imported S4 and I ordered APS for mine, so that fact that I have APS and my car was built through the UK order route proves that there is no reason why UK buyers couldn't have been offered it!

My APS sensors are part of a black strip which is located underneath the rear bumper, i.e. they are not in the colour-coded part. Therefore to refit to an S4 needs the whole bumper replacing, using a non-UK part.

Since the RS4 has a different bumper from the S4, then S4 parts cannot be used. If the German RS4 had the APS option, then maybe non-UK parts are available, however I don't know.

Of course an alternative is to get the 4 sensors separately and get a bodyshop to drill and fit them to your existing bumper.

The APS is totally audible, so there's no VDU to mount, however there is a sounder somewhere (it sounds as if it's in the rear of the car).

I'd get you the wiring diagrams but I only have the diagrams for US models and they couldn't get APS either.

[JohnW]

Thanks for the reply.

I didn't realise the A/S4 wasn't offered with these either though.

I also don't think the RS4 was offered with them in Germany either (not listed on the German price list I have).

Martins Audi in Hatch, Basingstoke have a new A4 in special order Nogaro blue. This has parking sensors in the painted part of the bumper.
This got me thinking that I could possibly fit these to my car.

The new S4 they have there also had parking sensors at the rear, which were in the painted part of the bumper.

I suppose what I really need to do is have a squint at the parts CD (When I get my hands on one) and see if I can figure out the part numbers etc.

BTW if I do it, I'll do it myself. B_ll_cks to paying Audi 75 quid an hour + vat to have it done, eh [img]images/graemlins/033102bigblink_1_prv.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.

[Jon]

usually 95 plus p/h on rs4 rate [img]images/graemlins/24430-audibash.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

YEOWCH !!! [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

Admittedly Guildford Audi didn't tell me their hourly rate when I asked about service costs, but that is more than Porsche prices !! [img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

[PhilT]

RS4, RS6 and S8 are £69.95 + VAT /hr

[JohnW]

Just got a call from Guildford Audi as it happens (wanted to know if I'd bought a car yet [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] )

I asked and was told 85 per hour for cars under 4 years old, dropping to 65 when over 4 years old !!

B_gger me ! (that's not an invitation [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] )

Think I'll stick a VW badge on it and take it there instead [img]images/graemlins/spineyes.gif[/img]
Either that or do the work myself and only get the inspection service done there for the stamp...

[img]images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[Mo_S3]

Hi, why dont u get the after market parking sensors instead? U still have to remove the bumper but instead of fitting external sensors u attach a long piece of tape to the inside of the bumper. Noo drilling or painting is required. Cost is around £200 if i remember correctly.

[quattropaul]

Hi, why dont u get the after market parking sensors instead? U still have to remove the bumper but instead of fitting external sensors u attach a long piece of tape to the inside of the bumper. Noo drilling or painting is required. Cost is around £200 if i remember correctly.

[img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] on an RS4 !!!!!

[JohnW]

Mo,

the only aftermarket jobs I've seen involve sticking sensors to the outside of the bumper.
If they are reliable in operation and you have a link or details of the type you describe (i.e. totally hidden) I'd be interested.

Audi Parts Guru, read the reason why I want to fit these... [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.

[Mo_S3]

Here u go mate check this site out,

parking sensors

[img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

Thanks Mo, [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

I hadn't seen that type before.

Not a bad price either.

[Dippy]

I'll second that. I was always disppointed that I could only get APS for the rear. At £100 for the Taurus system I think I'll get it for the front of my car - although I'll have to have a good look at where to fit it first.

Cheers Mo [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

John,

BTW note the relatively short range (0.8m) of the Taurus. External sensor systems work at a great range (I think mine is over 2m). When you are used to having APS, you tend to get a bit blaze and reverse faster than you would normally. If so, 80cm can close to 0cm pretty quickly!

[Dippy]

I didn't realise the A/S4 wasn't offered with these either though.

Correction - it was only on the S4 in the UK that it wasn't offered. It was available as an option on the A4 range, and available on the S4 in the rest of Europe.

[Mo_S3]

John & John ur welcome [img]images/graemlins/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/rocker.gif[/img]