Sold Selling Sony Touchscreen Head Unit (Android Auto/Apple CarPlay) for A4 B7

[NM07]

Hi all,

Purchased a new head unit for the B7, which should arrive Friday, so looking to sell my current one. Thought I'd list it here before I put it on eBay.

The unit is a Sony XAV-AX5650, a fantastic radio that has a very minimalistic clean design and looks almost OEM. Fits the B7 A4 beautifully and brings modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to our cars. This particular model is the top of the line offering from Sony, fitted with a capacitive touchscreen (like the screens on modern smartphones), not the cheaper resistive screens (found on the majority of touchscreen car radios).

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/xav-ax5650

It cost me £500 new, and currently sells on Sony's website for £540.

I'm looking for £200 delivered as the unit is in near perfect condition. No scratches or defects on the screen at all.

This sale is for the head unit and radio harness only, you will need to purchase a fitting kit (available on eBay) if you aren't currently running an aftermarket stereo.

 

[Charlie Farley]

That's a bargain, I think you should ask a bit more chap.

Anyway, don't keep us in suspense, what's your new HU.
I'd go with an Alpine but I'm normally wrong..lol

 

[NM07]

I'm a big fan of Sony head units, particularly their minimalist, clean, OEM-esque design, so I've gone with the new XAV-AX6000. For whatever reason, Sony aren't selling this new version over here in the UK, only in the US. When I spoke with them on the phone today, they couldn't even say for sure if they were releasing it over here at all, let alone give me a date.

https://www.sony.com/tz/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/xav-ax6000

Luckily Amazon offers international shipping quite cheap for Prime members, and I managed to snap one up while there was some left in stock.

Very similar to the head unit I'm selling, however this one has wireless CarPlay, a revised design and refreshed UI which I think looks great. Made sense to stay with Sony too as all the wiring is done so the new unit will be plug and play.

I was tempted to go for your Alpine unit as it's rated really well, but I prefer the design and UI of the Sony so that sealed the deal for me.

This upgrade is a bit of an indulgence really as the current head unit is fantastic, but I couldn't resist the upgrade bug.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Looks great, Sony kit is nice.
Looking forward to some pics

 

[Charlie Farley]

Had I not have got into Alpine kit a few years back I would have probably gone with another pioneer or Sony.
Like many of us we tend to stick with a specific brand once we are happy with them, kinda what I did with Alpine , very happy with the first one and just stuck with them , very happy thus far.

 

[Jamsmoo]

Still for sale ? Im interested
I’d this the sort of thing I’d need (excuse my ignorance)

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[NM07]

Still for sale chap, and you are right that is exactly what you will need

 

[NM07]

Kits like that make for a super simple install, no wire cutting and splicing required, just fit the adapter looms and plug in.

 

[Jamsmoo]

What colour is the frame in your 1st pic ,looks spot on ,the one listed here is black ..not sure it would look right


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[Jamsmoo]

Would it mate ok with the Bose


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[NM07]

You will need a different adaptor if you run the Bose stereo. I can't remember which one specifically you'll need but if you ring any car audio specialist they will give you the right part number for the adaptor and you'll be set. I think @Charlie Farley had the Bose setup so he might be able to advise you more on that.

In terms of the fitting kit, the one pictured in my original post is this one from Enfig Car Audio in the US. They paint the fascias to colour match 100%, and I couldn't find another supplier anywhere that did this. Every supplier in the UK sold it as just plain black (unpainted). There is only a tiny difference, but if you're like me and want perfection you will notice it, so this kit is the only way to go.

Enfig RMK8-A4B67 Double Din Radio Mounting Kit for Audi A4 2002-2008 – Enfig Car Stereo

shop.enfigcarstereo.com

I ordered a spare fascia and cage from Enfig at the time, and am willing to sell it on. I'd want another £30 for the fascia and cage, as it's $40 from Enfig, and don't remind me how much I paid in shipping and import taxes originally.

£230 all in for you @Jamsmoo, then all you'd need to source yourself is the adaptor via any reputable car audio specialist and you'll be set.

 

[NM07]

Enfig also have fantastic videos on the full install of an aftermarket radio into a B7.

 

[B7Tourer]

You will need a different adaptor if you run the Bose stereo. I can't remember which one specifically you'll need but if you ring any car audio specialist they will give you the right part number for the adaptor and you'll be set. I think @Charlie Farley had the Bose setup so he might be able to advise you more on that.

Bose systems have full amplification - Non-Bose half amplification. It often means you will need line level convertors to get sufficient or any sound to the rear and sub. I was very lucky with my Xtrons Chinese HU, in that it was plug and play. Not a Sony but it has been stellar for 5 years now. Excellent sound; rears and sub too; no hum no ground noise. Nowadays it's all Android Auto and wireless too, with a Motorola MA1 dongle . There are dongles that would have worked with your existing Sony for wireless Carplay. If the MA1 (only AA) is anything to go by they are seamless. The Android unit is very useful if I forget my phone since I have Poweramp and Sygic Premium up to date on it too but If I had to get a new one I'd be looking at the main brands like you.

Echo Charlie - bargain!

 

[Jamsmoo]

Bose systems have full amplification - Non-Bose half amplification. It often means you will need line level convertors to get sufficient or any sound to the rear and sub. I was very lucky with my Xtrons Chinese HU, in that it was plug and play. Not a Sony but it has been stellar for 5 years now. Excellent sound; rears and sub too; no hum no ground noise. Nowadays it's all Android Auto and wireless too, with a Motorola MA1 dongle . There are dongles that would have worked with your existing Sony for wireless Carplay. If the MA1 (only AA) is anything to go by they are seamless. The Android unit is very useful if I forget my phone since I have Poweramp and Sygic Premium up to date on it too but If I had to get a new one I'd be looking at the main brands like you.

Echo Charlie - bargain!

Lol ..just as I started to think it doesn’t sound too complicated


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[B7Tourer]

Lol ..just as I started to think it doesn’t sound too complicated

It's not really chap... and you might not need them with NM7's Sony. I didn't need em with mine. They're pretty simple to install. If you don't want to do it yourself it should be little money for a proper ICE expert.

One other thing that is often overlooked, FM radio is always pants, even with the best of units unless they have a proper Diversity dual connection and deliver the proper data back to the amp, so it can know which of the 4 window wire antenas are best at the moment. Very few do now and most are only using 1 of them at any time. The option is to install a new Shark Fin (https://sure-antennas.com/product/full-covert-audi-a4-a6-a8-shark-fin-antenna/) with FM/Dab+ or to simply use internet radio, which is much better now and we hardly are ever without data too

 

[NM07]

Lol ..just as I started to think it doesn’t sound too complicated


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A lot of the terminology makes it sound more difficult than it is. Most of the job is connecting a few pre made looms together and you’re away. But if you’d rather not do it, any car audio shop would be able to fit it for you in under an hour. It took me about 30 minutes to do mine the first time and I’d never fitted an aftermarket radio in my life.

Even if you don’t buy mine, don’t let the perceived complexity put you off. Enfig’s video I sent above walks you through the whole process in real time.

A new head unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto makes the car feel so much newer, with all the modern creature comforts at your finger tips.

 

[Jamsmoo]

A lot of the terminology makes it sound more difficult than it is. Most of the job is connecting a few pre made looms together and you’re away. But if you’d rather not do it, any car audio shop would be able to fit it for you in under an hour. It took me about 30 minutes to do mine the first time and I’d never fitted an aftermarket radio in my life.

Even if you don’t buy mine, don’t let the perceived complexity put you off. Enfig’s video I sent above walks you through the whole process in real time.

A new head unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto makes the car feel so much newer, with all the modern creature comforts at your finger tips.

Haha is it that obvious I’m apprehensive..I’ve always been of the mind set of it ain’t broke don’t fix it so while the rnse is doing what it’s supposed to I’m nervous about changing it ..but …. Pm sent


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[NM07]

I was the same before I made the upgrade.

My first B7 was a Special Edition and it had the RNS-e. I tried to love it, and even considered doing the upgrade to the later RNS-e (the one with the glossy border and higher res screen) but even that felt leagues behind what a modern head unit delivers in terms of screen size, user experience and features.

Once you go the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay route you will never go back, and you’ll realise just how far behind the RNS-e is nowadays.

 

[Rob Avant]

Absolute bargain that… one of the best upgrades you can do is the audio. First thing I did before any other mod. The Audi systems weren’t good 15+ years ago, even the Bose was poor IMO.

 

[RS4dal]

Did this sell ?

 

[NM07]

Yes sorry all sold