just learned today that although an aux-in jack is standard on all '09s, audi won't be offering an ipod interface option. my a3 is scheduled for mid-october delivery and right now i'm canvassing options on ipod integration. i have an extra ipod lying around which i intend to keep in the car.

auto-sound design of thornhill recommends the dension system which hooks to the a3's receiver. so far this is the "cleanest" way to integrate an ipod i've found.

i've also looked at the harman/kardon drive+play but that involves a separate monitor to be mounted on the dash and a separate controller. this set-up seems messy and there'll be too much junk inside the my car.

has anyone here used or is using a dension system? what do you guys think?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Was just curious what kind of deal you got for you Audi 09. I live in BC, 14 hours from Vancouver. I wrote to few dealer to get pricing idea but none replied to me with a concrete answer. I was looking at the 2.0 tfsi quattro but can't find any canadian price on the web. Still debating between this one and the 3.2. Sorry if I'm no help to your Ipod issue, I'm not an apple fan.

Have a good one.

Martin

 

no probs. looks like the dension is the only viable solution for me. =D

for my a3, the breakdown is as follows:

• model: 2.0 quattro premium
• msrp: $39,950.00*
• sport package: $3,700.00 (includes audi magnetic ride, 18" wheels)
• lease term: 36 months, 20,000km/yr
• lease rate: 4.91% (finance rate is 5.90%)
• residual: 50% after 36-months

if you want the 3.2 you're looking at:

• msrp: $45,500.00
• lease rate: 6.91% for 36mos, 20,000km/year

i would've gotten a more favourable lease rate on an '08 model but the dealership was completely sold out of them and the '09s were already in production. sales are also down for most car companies these days so you might be able to negotiate better lease or finance rates.

*because you're in bc, the msrp will probably be higher because freight/pdi is usually included in bc advertised pricing (unlike here in ontario). i know this because i happen to work on one of audi's competitors. it's quite interesting actually to see how msrps vary from one end of the country to the other.

here's the a3 line-up for 2009:

• 2.0 fwd
• 2.0 fwd premium
• 2.0 quattro
• 2.0 quattro premium
• 3.2 quattro

all quattros are dsg only. only the fwds have stick.

hope this helps.

 

Hi,

msrp for the 2.0 quattro is $36900 (this include DSG, leather seats and OpenSky, all standard now)

My dealer told me yesterday that the finance rate is now down to 4.9 %.

The ship carrying mine is supposed to get to Halifax monday.

 

Thanks alot guys, this helps alot.

I am seriouly considering buying in the states. For 38k USD I can get an A3 fully loaded (magnetic suspension, s-line, winter and convenient package and rear bags) at 0.9% financing. Even with all taxes, duties, exchange rates and mods on the car I still end up saving 3k-4k not mentionning the 0.9% wich would save me at least 5k over 60months. So right there it's 8k saved and I heard that canadian dealers won't drop their prices but americans will just to get a sale. On top of that I have a brother in law in Florida that I'm sure would be happy to give me a Audi for my birth day and save me 6.1% duties. Sure it's a long drive from Florida to Smithers BC but in a brand new Audi it will be a joy to drive that long.

Keep you guys posted on my final choice.

Best regards