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ALF

ICE dramas

Anyone else use Dension kit? I had an "Ice link" in the GTA, basically a cable that runs from the main ipod data connection to the CD-changer socket of your car radio. It gives good quality (for MP3...) and your playlists act as "CD's" in a virtual changer, giving good control via the stereo. I fitted it myself, piece of cake.

So I bought one for the Audi, the same system is now called a Dension "Gateway 300". I fitted it myself and stupidly followed the OTT advice to disconnect the battery. In the Audi, that means resetting the keys and windows (which I found how to do from a forum after a lot of time spent setting off my alarm!) and I found that, contrary to my belief, I didn't have the bloody PIN code for the stereo. Ebay searches revealed this type is not easily cracked. I phoned my local Audi dealer, they said I had to call my original supplying dealer who could give me the code. I called them, they said that I had to physically visit any Audi dealer, who would give it to me for free. So I visited Audi Ipswich, who wanted £30 for the pleasure and wouldn't budge. I paid up, bored senseless from so much driving without a radio (or my phone kit working!).

Only... the bloody thing does nothing, except stop my phone kit from working! The wiring loom fits fine, but the phone then connects to the radio but has no audio out, and the ipod does not talk to the radio at all. Bollocks! I am now considering stropilly getting my money back or going through their support to try and make it work, but since the audio side of my phone prep obviously works via the CD changer plug, I doubt there will be a solution. All seems pretty piss-poor given it is the standard Audi stereo in an A4, with the standard Audi phone prep  

On the audio quality side, I'd far prefer the Bose (and leather for that matter), neither of which bothered the missus but both of which would have been requirements if I'd been buying the car for myself, as it has turned out...
Nice Guy Eddie

Sorry to hear about all your issues Alf.

Is this another example of Audi taking the piss. When the code in the Honda went I phoned up my local Honda dealer who apparently had to contact the supplying dealer, got the number and phoned me back all in 10 minutes and charged me nothing.
Racing

Mmm. When I needed the code for the GTA after replacing the battery while I was in Russia, I simply rang the supplying dealer (using number on the tax disc holder) and since I was registered with Alfa as the current owner for warranty purposes, they coughed up the code without any preamble.
SpecB

£30 to look something up on the computer!  

When I fitted my phone I realised I didn't have the radio code either and there were no instructions in the manual on how to decode it!  I discovered that pressing the button on the key with the ignition turned on decodes the radio.

I can't help with the Dension kit.  I thought their support was supposed to be pretty good - may be worth a call.  A mate had one on his Seat and it worked fine.
Gurney

I was thinking of the Dension for the GTA. Unfortunately the Bose system in the GTA has only gone further to reinforce my opinion that all BOSE products are basically crap. Anyway, as the GTA has music all it's own I rarely use the damned thing anyway, so a Dension wouldn't get the use to justify it's cost.
franki68

The denison stuff has a good reputation from what I have read about it on forums.
ALF

I finally had enough time to contact their support and was told my 2005 was (and I quote) "very very old" and no-one there knew if the Dension was compatible with the standard Audi phone prep or not. So I'm returning it under their 30-day no-quibble guarantee - useless feckers. Assuming they actually refund me the full amount (I don't quite have all the plastic bags and stuff it came in, though do have all the boxes) this little escapade will have cost me £40 in the radio keys, code, postage, etc. What a PITA for nothing!
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