Audi A4 Avant B8 2010 Japanese Import Radio Issues

Audi A4 Avant B8 2010 Japanese Import Radio Issues

Author
Discussion

simonpa

Original Poster:

381 posts

297 months

Tuesday 4th February
quotequote all
Hi

I picked up a cheap Japanese Audi A4 B8 over the weekend - probably without enough research - and it has an FM radio issue. It's had the bandwidth changed to UK ranges but it has terrible signal. It can pick up BBC Radio 1 and 2, but with loads of noise, and can't receive other stations even when searching a band at a time manually.

I've done a quick search and it seems that the B8s have issues with the radio/antennas, so that might be the problem.

I'm tempted to return, as we both tried and asked about the radio when we did the test drive, and the (trade) seller said there was bad reception. He has since offered to provide a DAB unit with the stick on antenna but those are supposed to be a bit crap.

Does anyone know of any good options for resolving radio problems on these cars before I go back to the dealer? I believe the car has the MMI 3G Basic. Thanks.

Krikkit

27,364 posts

195 months

Tuesday 4th February
quotequote all
Have you checked the FM antenna for damage?

Tarmack

29 posts

10 months

Tuesday 4th February
quotequote all
As far as I know the Japanese imports don’t have DAB and the frequency band is different. Issues with satnav too. Could probably be fixed if you contact a VW specialist on fb

lancslad58

1,223 posts

22 months

Tuesday 4th February
quotequote all
simonpa said:
Hi

I picked up a cheap Japanese Audi A4 B8 over the weekend - probably without enough research - and it has an FM radio issue. It's had the bandwidth changed to UK ranges but it has terrible signal. It can pick up BBC Radio 1 and 2, but with loads of noise, and can't receive other stations even when searching a band at a time manually.

I've done a quick search and it seems that the B8s have issues with the radio/antennas, so that might be the problem.

I'm tempted to return, as we both tried and asked about the radio when we did the test drive, and the (trade) seller said there was bad reception. He has since offered to provide a DAB unit with the stick on antenna but those are supposed to be a bit crap.

Does anyone know of any good options for resolving radio problems on these cars before I go back to the dealer? I believe the car has the MMI 3G Basic. Thanks.
Had one of these fitted to my Panda, nothing wrong with it, worked perfectly well.


Quinten

1,163 posts

255 months

Tuesday 4th February
quotequote all
I've got a 2013 B8 RS4 imported from Japan (also with MMI 3G) and the radio reception isn't great either. I'd be interested to hear of any solutions, but as a solution/workaround I have installed a RoadTop Carplay unit and listen to Spotify/BBC sounds that way most of the time now.

simonpa

Original Poster:

381 posts

297 months

Tuesday 4th February
quotequote all
Appears to be a problem with the antenna, because the signal improves when touching the back window containing the FM antenna. Something to do with the body capturing and transmitting the radio waves.

I'm speaking to a local radio specialist and the dealer is also looking into it as he has an almost identical vehicle still in stock with the same issue. Hopefully I'll have an update in a day or two.