Rs3 phone box lite

K

Keano04

Registered User
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
850
Reaction score
1,229
Points
93
Location
Ipswich
So the Launch Edition is supposed to have phone box lite as part of its spec and when I purchased it was included.

However there are issues with parts we are all too familiar with that means spec may differ with one element being the wireless charging aspect may be dropped from the spec….

My dealer cannot tell me whether my car has been affected by this at this point. He simply doesn’t know from the info Audi are providing to him as he said he needs to check the vin on the system to confirm - he previously said he had checked my vin and it wasn’t affected, but that’s another story……..

I have already outlined that if the spec differs from what I purchased I want a discount as compensation. They have agreed but weren’t sure how much and were awaiting feedback from Audi.

Yesterday the dealer outlined £150 was the cost to add the option of wireless charging… so that was likely going to be what was offered.

Is that really the cost of the option?

Can you really just add phone box lite wireless charging for £150, normally?

Any help with evidence to prove (if it can be) that they actually owe me more compensation would be appreciated.

I deferred confirming compensation until we knew for sure whether it had been dropped off the spec, but I didn’t want to sign up to £150 as that seemed far too low - I would have thought everyone would add it to their spec if it literally is just a £150 option!!!??!

You guys know the configurator and Audi stuff so much better than me so all help appreciated.
 
Its probably prewired in most cars & thus its just the unit price, its cheaper to spec on a new car for obvious reasons, fitting aftermarket will be twice that or more with labour etc from an installer, so yes you'll only get the brochure addin cost refunded.
 
Is it really worth complaining for? For such a small add on? Audi cannot help this situation Just like the rest of the manufacturers can't.

With such a long waiting list for these cars audi could say take it or leave it..

It's not as if they have replace the engine with a 4 pot.
 
NHN said:
Its probably prewired in most cars & thus its just the unit price, its cheaper to spec on a new car for obvious reasons, fitting aftermarket will be twice that or more with labour etc from an installer, so yes you'll only get the brochure addin cost refunded.
Click to expand...

Not clear how much that add in price is at the moment.
 
CarterRS said:
Is it really worth complaining for? For such a small add on? Audi cannot help this situation Just like the rest of the manufacturers can't.

With such a long waiting list for these cars audi could say take it or leave it..

It's not as if they have replace the engine with a 4 pot.
Click to expand...

Yes it’s worth complaining for. If I’m paying for something I want to have that thing.

They are a business and I’m not a charity and that works both ways.
 
Keano04 said:
Yes it’s worth complaining for. If I’m paying for something I want to have that thing.

They are a business and I’m not a charity and that works both ways.
Click to expand...
Each to there own and all that.

I suppose it depends on how much its important to you and how much time you have on your hands to complain and seek compensation for a little add on which they have no control over at present.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Detail Devil
I don't know if I'd complain about it, but if it was advertised as being included when I placed my order and was then removed I would be expecting the price to drop otherwise I'm being charged for something I'm not receiving. That would be the extent of it though.

That being said, I am a little annoyed that it's not included anymore because with the wireless Carplay it meant that you could keep it charged without ever plugging it in. Now, regardless of the wireless connection I'll have to plug it in if it's a longer journey. It's not the end of the world but it feels like a step back after the introduction of the decent wireless connection, I understand it's not exactly Audi's decision though.
 
Some important things to note regarding the phone box is it it comes with many features than just the wireless charging. You get additional colour-changing ambient lighting in the cubby hole, without it's just a solid white light. The phone box also uses the car's antenna to connect to your phone and boost the signal, most importantly it unlocks additional MMI features meaning you can have 2 phones connected simultaneously. An example of this is my partner would have their phone connected to the MMI streaming music but I can still take calls, scroll through messages etc from my phone on both the MMI and virtual cockpit and vice versa. This is NOT possible without the phone box and you will only be able to have one phone connected to the vehicle.

£150 is well worth the money for what you get, I was lucky in that my build was unaffected and fortunately came with it as ordered, however people who aren't getting it are just being offered their £150 back which I personally think is ridiculous and wouldn't accept myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Detail Devil, Keano04 and NevMan
Daggerit said:
I don't know if I'd complain about it, but if it was advertised as being included when I placed my order and was then removed I would be expecting the price to drop otherwise I'm being charged for something I'm not receiving. That would be the extent of it though.
Click to expand...

That’s exactly it and what I have in my mind.

My issue is - is it really just £150 to add it?

It seems such a useful part I find it odd that it would only be £150, plus it’s usually bundled in with other stuff into a “pack” so ends up costing loads more…

I was wanting know the “true” cost of me adding it so I can request that… I am assuming it’s more than £150 but I don’t actually know as it doesn’t appear afaik?
 
Keano04 said:
That’s exactly it and what I have in my mind.

My issue is - is it really just £150 to add it?

It seems such a useful part I find it odd that it would only be £150, plus it’s usually bundled in with other stuff into a “pack” so ends up costing loads more…

I was wanting know the “true” cost of me adding it so I can request that… I am assuming it’s more than £150 but I don’t actually know as it doesn’t appear afaik?
Click to expand...

Not sure, but I did read that there’s more than just the phone charger for your £150. I can’t remember all of it but it would definitely be more than £150 to retrofit!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ludus said:
Some important things to note regarding the phone box is it it comes with many features than just the wireless charging. You get additional colour-changing ambient lighting in the cubby hole, without it's just a solid white light. The phone box also uses the car's antenna to connect to your phone and boost the signal, most importantly it unlocks additional MMI features meaning you can have 2 phones connected simultaneously. An example of this is my partner would have their phone connected to the MMI streaming music but I can still take calls, scroll through messages etc from my phone on both the MMI and virtual cockpit and vice versa. This is NOT possible without the phone box and you will only be able to have one phone connected to the vehicle.

£150 is well worth the money for what you get, I was lucky in that my build was unaffected and fortunately came with it as ordered, however people who aren't getting it are just being offered their £150 back which I personally think is ridiculous and wouldn't accept myself.
Click to expand...

Hey bro small correction, in the UK we only get the Light version of the Phone Box which has no antenna connection at all - simply a charger nothing else hence the presumably cheap price.

The full Phone Box is omitted from A3s in the UK for some obscure reason.

Big pet peeve of mine tbh with that being said I’d still rather have the light phone box than none at all.

You can also get it retrofitted relatively easily because of this, wondering if Audi UK would do an official one so it gets added to the config for the VIN of the car otherwise it would have to be recoded every time the car has a software update.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ludus
Looks like they've removed the 360 camera option as well now for Vorsprung......£500.00 reduction on list price to reflect.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daggerit
gussman said:
Looks like they've removed the 360 camera option as well now for Vorsprung......£500.00 reduction on list price to reflect.
Click to expand...

Came in a bit late on this one, I think we’ve been discussing that for the last couple weeks already in the other thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8YARWY
Is it REALLY necessary to be able to check emails and messages while you are driving? Apart from anything else, even "hands free", isn't that illegal?

There's too much technology in cars these days. All I need is a Bluetooth connection and a decent sound system, the rest is not necessary in the slightest. Even this TC, ABS, etc. is a waste of money, it just makes cars easier for idiots to drive.

Just my 2p......
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daggerit
Garrett 69 said:
Is it REALLY necessary to be able to check emails and messages while you are driving? Apart from anything else, even "hands free", isn't that illegal?

There's too much technology in cars these days. All I need is a Bluetooth connection and a decent sound system, the rest is not necessary in the slightest. Even this TC, ABS, etc. is a waste of money, it just makes cars easier for idiots to drive.

Just my 2p......
Click to expand...
I think you're missing the point of the phonebox lite?

If you use your phone to connect wirelessly and use Apple Carplay or something, you will kill your phone if you're going a good distance. So then your choice is to plug it in or let it die, if plugging it in then it completely defeats the point of having the wireless convenience. With the phone box you can still connect wirelessly and just throw your phone on the pad to keep it charged while using it. I'm not sure where the email stuff you're talking about is in all this?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Keano04
Daggerit said:
I think you're missing the point of the phonebox lite?

If you use your phone to connect wirelessly and use Apple Carplay or something, you will kill your phone if you're going a good distance. So then your choice is to plug it in or let it die, if plugging it in then it completely defeats the point of having the wireless convenience. With the phone box you can still connect wirelessly and just throw your phone on the pad to keep it charged while using it. I'm not sure where the email stuff you're talking about is in all this?
Click to expand...
Check Ludus' post regarding messages etc. when having 2 phones connected. Reading text messages/emails while driving is illegal.

In any case, Bluetooth does all you need for hands free/streaming. Where is the hardship in plugging in a usb to keep the phone charged? Not everyone has a phone with wireless charging capability.

Wireless charging is dubious anyway due to the magnetism around the battery increasing battery temperature.
 
Garrett 69 said:
Check Ludus' post regarding messages etc. when having 2 phones connected. Reading text messages/emails while driving is illegal.

In any case, Bluetooth does all you need for hands free/streaming. Where is the hardship in plugging in a usb to keep the phone charged? Not everyone has a phone with wireless charging capability.

Wireless charging is dubious anyway due to the magnetism around the battery increasing battery temperature.
Click to expand...
I agree that reading messages and emails while driving is illegal, and while I've not had the phone box in previous cars, I find it a bit strange that it would allow for additional features that would be illegal to use? In previous Audis they haven't allowed me to read anything from my phone whilst driving (or stationary) and also don't allow for video or anything either from factory. So this seems a bit weird to me.

I already said that Bluetooth does what I want for streaming, and will let me use Carplay too, but my point is that it's a complete mis-match of technology. Having the ability to use wireless connection for something as power hungry as Carplay / Android Auto but without the function to keep the device charged without plugging it in, so they might as well not bother with the additional wireless features.

Wireless charging doesn't damage or excessively heat the battery if you're not using cheap technology, which I'd imagine Audi wouldn't. My phone didn't warm up at all during the few hours I was testing a VW ID.4 a few weeks ago, and it was very convenient to get in and just chuck the phone on the pad without having to worry about plugging it in.
 
Garrett 69 said:
Check Ludus' post regarding messages etc. when having 2 phones connected. Reading text messages/emails while driving is illegal.

In any case, Bluetooth does all you need for hands free/streaming. Where is the hardship in plugging in a usb to keep the phone charged? Not everyone has a phone with wireless charging capability.

Wireless charging is dubious anyway due to the magnetism around the battery increasing battery temperature.
Click to expand...

Must admit I thought apple car play read them for you through Siri in any case…?

It has been around 3 months since I had a car with that feature now though.

The “hardship” is it makes the car cluttered and messy. Not good for ones ocd
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daggerit
Keano04 said:
Must admit I thought apple car play read them for you through Siri in any case…?

It has been around 3 months since I had a car with that feature now though.

The “hardship” is it makes the car cluttered and messy. Not good for ones ocd
Click to expand...

You can have them read out, but I’ve never seen a feature for actually reading through them as text? Which to me would be the only illegal bit he’s talking about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Daggerit said:
You can have them read out, but I’ve never seen a feature for actually reading through them as text? Which to me would be the only illegal bit he’s talking about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yeah me neither. Siri reads and listens if you dictate a text too
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daggerit
I haven't got a clue about iPhones, I've never owned one and never will.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alan Oliver and Daggerit
Daggerit said:
So does android auto allow you to actually read messages and emails while driving?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
It does in the work van (Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen Vivaro junk). I only installed Android Auto to use mirror link for Google Maps. It didn't work properly but text messages flashed up on the screen before I had uninstalled AA again.
 
Garrett 69 said:
It does in the work van (Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen Vivaro junk). I only installed Android Auto to use mirror link for Google Maps. It didn't work properly but text messages flashed up on the screen before I had uninstalled AA again.
Click to expand...
Sounds like an unsafe feature of AA rather than the car to be honest. You don't get that with Apple Carplay, it won't let you read messages on the screen which I think is a much better system.
 
There is NO phonebox of any kind on UK RS3 models. Not lite not full. NONE. Only the LE have it.
 
Spinstorm said:
There is NO phonebox of any kind on UK RS3 models. Not lite not full. NONE. Only the LE have it.
Click to expand...

And some of the initial Frankenstein models for demos. My local one has it but isn’t an LE.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Daggerit said:
And some of the initial Frankenstein models for demos. My local one has it but isn’t an LE.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

He’s off again with BIG letters LIKE he’s SHOUTING at us

Demo car I drove had lite in its spec.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daggerit
terminator x said:
@Ludus is it part of comfort and Sound pack?

TX.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure because the demo car didn’t have upgraded stereo but had the phone box. That’s not saying anything though because it has a bunch of stuff that can’t be configured by customers like matrix lights and ACC without the overall pack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Daggerit said:
I’m not sure because the demo car didn’t have upgraded stereo but had the phone box. That’s not saying anything though because it has a bunch of stuff that can’t be configured by customers like matrix lights and ACC without the overall pack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Just checked myself (sorry being lazy!) and this is what C&S gives us:

Advanced Key
Access and authorisation system that works through automatic data exchange between key and vehicle, allowing the driver to keep the car key in their pocket or bag at all times. To unlock and open, simply lift the exterior door handle. Pressing the start/stop button integrated in the centre console starts and stops the engine.
Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound.
Surround sound playback via 15 high-performance speakers including subwoofer; 16-channel amplifier with a total output of 680 watts.
The new, virtual 3D sound effect creates an intense sound experience. This is generated by four loudspeakers in the instrument panel, two loudspeakers in the C-pillar and by the Fraunhofer technology Symphoria. The 3D sound can be generated with a variety of sources. In comparison to conventional stereo playback, this new concept creates an all-round sound through reflections on the windshield, which conveys a stronger "feeling in the middle". Thanks to intelligent signal processing, all occupants enjoy a sound that is optimized for their seat. The exclusive loudspeaker covers with aluminium applications ensure a perfect design experience. The sound image is permanently adjusted in accordance with the driving and background noise determined by the microphone.
Reversing Camera - An image of the area behind the vehicle is shown on the MMI display with dynamic display modes highlighting the calculated path (steer-angle dependent). Reversing camera is concealed in the handle strip of the luggage compartment lid.

TX.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daggerit
We knew about this ages ago lol, it was gone before the 360 camera. Lucky my LE has it but I sure will miss it when I move to vorsprung
 
Sooo… turns out my car is not one of the cars impacted and will come with phone box lite…

This thread was ultimately pointless

Helps pass the time though…
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mike.46
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Harry4life786
Phone Holder
Replies
16
Views
2K
Daggerit
Daggerit
T
RS3 Pricing
Replies
5
Views
3K
Deeper6
Deeper6
C
RS3 performance
Replies
33
Views
5K
rngDeadeye
rngDeadeye
C
RS3 performance
Replies
1
Views
749
cooperp
C
B
RS3 brochure
Replies
6
Views
2K
whannemann
W
Top
Back