2016 S3 Prestige - No HomeLink - WTF?

[Cairo94507]

So I ordered a '16 S3 Prestige with the 19" Performance Package and was told the HomeLink accessory listed in Audi's sales brochure, is not available for the S3. Audi expects you to clip a garage door opener in your '16 Audi! I called Audi Customer Care and spoke with one of their "specialists" and she said Audi does not offer a HomeLink system on any of it's '16 models and then said, "... but the dealership would be the best source of information". Really? The dealership is the "best source of information"? This is just stupid. Please tell me someone has a '15/'16 S3 with HomeLink. Thanks in advance. Michael

 

[S3Fan]

Have you considered getting the Plus and then adding all the prestige options? I personally don't even use the Homelink on mine.

 

[Cairo94507]

No I did not consider that. I just heard from the dealership who tells me they personally called the Audi factory and were told the Prestige package places a sensor of some sort where the HomeLink would normally install, thus making it impossible for the HomeLink to be installed. Seems dumb to me, but if that is true, then that is the end of the story. I guess I put a garage door opener in the glove box and live with it. I guess their Planning and Development Department didn't (plan and develop).

 

[S3Fan]

No I did not consider that. I just heard from the dealership who tells me they personally called the Audi factory and were told the Prestige package places a sensor of some sort where the HomeLink would normally install, thus making it impossible for the HomeLink to be installed. Seems dumb to me, but if that is true, then that is the end of the story. I guess I put a garage door opener in the glove box and live with it. I guess their Planning and Development Department didn't (plan and develop).

The way Audi placed the Homelink on the S3 makes it really awkward to reach, I ended up just putting my garage opener in the car and using that instead.

 

[Cairo94507]

So I found a thread over on Audizine (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/646371-homelink-for-the-2015-s3-s?highlight=HomeLink) and they document the installation of the Audi HomeLink which can be purchased from Audi's parts dept. for about $300. The install does not appear difficult and does not interfere with any electronics on any package at all. That is the reason Audi did not install a HomeLink from the factory. This is apparently a standalone unit and all that is required is a ground and to plug the supplied harness into a receptacle already in the overhead console area. The hardest part of the install is removing the roof console, apparently it just unclips and pulls down and then you have to cut a hole in the roof material to place the unit - that is the most difficult part. I will wait until I get my car and then see how it would be where they intend it to be installed. Here is a picture from the thread for those considering this:

 

[Cairo94507]

OK, I have checked this out and the location is fine. I will be ordering one of these units to install in my car once my car arrives. Looks totally do-able.

 

[S3Fan]

Thanks for the how-to link. Definitely looks doable for those looking to install one.

 

[Cairo94507]

My pleasure.

 

[Cairo94507]

Just as an update to this thread, I have received a response from Audi as follows:

Dear Michael,

Thank you for contacting Audi of America. We congratulate you on your upcoming purchase!

According to my resources, the 2016 Audi S3 does have the option to have Home Link, unless the vehicle is also equipped with the S Sport Seat Package. If you have ordered the S Sport Seat package, then the dealer is correct in that you cannot have the Home Link installed. As for the reasoning, I cannot give a direction explanation other than it has to do with the vehicle?s design and functionality. Please refer back to your selling Audi dealer for further information regarding this matter.

I hope you have found this information useful, Michael. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reply to this e-mail or contact me through the Audi Customer Experience Center at +1 800 822 2834 extension XXXXXX. We?re here to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week

You may receive a survey about this interaction with Audi. If you have a moment, please take the time to share your valued feedback with us.

Warm Regards,

Kristine XXXXX
Audi Digital and Social Media Advocate, Audi CXC
Audi of America, Inc.
Audi Customer Experience

I have redacted her extension and last name as I do not believe it appropriate to post. Aside from that, my selling dealership contacted me and they received a (different) reply from Audi just the other day telling them HomeLink will not work in the S3 Prestige package car. So..... they are still trying to resolve this. Personally, I believe this will work and is a port installed item if you order it with the car. I am not overly concerned as I know the car will end up with HomeLink regardless of whether I install or the port installs. Gotta laugh that within Audi they can't seem to definitively answer this question. I can't be the only person trying to get HomeLink installed on an order....right?

 

[AlltrackMike]

Good to see you finally got the correct answer from Audi.

Just as an update to this thread, I have received a response from Audi as follows:

Dear Michael,

Thank you for contacting Audi of America. We congratulate you on your upcoming purchase!

According to my resources, the 2016 Audi S3 does have the option to have Home Link, unless the vehicle is also equipped with the S Sport Seat Package. If you have ordered the S Sport Seat package, then the dealer is correct in that you cannot have the Home Link installed. As for the reasoning, I cannot give a direction explanation other than it has to do with the vehicle?s design and functionality. Please refer back to your selling Audi dealer for further information regarding this matter.

I hope you have found this information useful, Michael. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reply to this e-mail or contact me through the Audi Customer Experience Center at +1 800 822 2834 extension XXXXXX. We?re here to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week

You may receive a survey about this interaction with Audi. If you have a moment, please take the time to share your valued feedback with us.

Warm Regards,

Kristine XXXXX
Audi Digital and Social Media Advocate, Audi CXC
Audi of America, Inc.
Audi Customer Experience

I have redacted her extension and last name as I do not believe it appropriate to post. Aside from that, my selling dealership contacted me and they received a (different) reply from Audi just the other day telling them HomeLink will not work in the S3 Prestige package car. So..... they are still trying to resolve this. Personally, I believe this will work and is a port installed item if you order it with the car. I am not overly concerned as I know the car will end up with HomeLink regardless of whether I install or the port installs. Gotta laugh that within Audi they can't seem to definitively answer this question. I can't be the only person trying to get HomeLink installed on an order....right?

 

[Cairo94507]

The saga continues. The GM of the dealership just called tonight to tell me that you can't install HomeLink in the S3 Prestige cars because there is a metal plate in the way. I am about done with dealing with them re this and will just purchase the unit when I get my car and install it myself. They did confirm my car is on order, so that was cool.

 

[S3Fan]

It's like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing.

The saga continues. The GM of the dealership just called tonight to tell me that you can't install HomeLink in the S3 Prestige cars because there is a metal plate in the way. I am about done with dealing with them re this and will just purchase the unit when I get my car and install it myself. They did confirm my car is on order, so that was cool.

 

[Cairo94507]

Just to wrap this thread up, I got my car on 4/19, exactly 4 months from the date I ordered it. And, as expected, no HomeLink. So I will purchase one and install it myself. Really, Audi?

 

[s3pang]

What the hell can they not install the HL on a Prestiege with Sport Seats? What does having the upgraded, non power seats have to do with HomeLink?

 

[S3Fan]

What the hell can they not install the HL on a Prestiege with Sport Seats? What does having the upgraded, non power seats have to do with HomeLink?

Supposedly the intelligent cruise control has something to do with limiting the space where the home links sits. Makes no sense to me.

 

[s3pang]

So I contacted my local dealer here in NH and they stated they can install HomeLink in my '16 Prestige. Install and labor was quoted between $500-$550. I gave the service advisor who I know pretty well my VIN# so she could verify it will work in my car.

Contemplating on getting this done and they did mention the template and cutting tool they'll need to use to install it correctly.

Gotta justify the cost as I just got my car Opti-Coat Pro Plus'd just yesterday.

 

[S3Fan]

That's not bad, about the price of the option. I would have negotiated that into the sale.

So I contacted my local dealer here in NH and they stated they can install HomeLink in my '16 Prestige. Install and labor was quoted between $500-$550. I gave the service advisor who I know pretty well my VIN# so she could verify it will work in my car.

Contemplating on getting this done and they did mention the template and cutting tool they'll need to use to install it correctly.

Gotta justify the cost as I just got my car Opti-Coat Pro Plus'd just yesterday.

 

[Cairo94507]

Why do car dealerships have to be the douche bags we always believe them to be? No reason that they can't install the HomeLink on a S3 Prestige, as evidenced by the several members who have already done so.

Then earlier this week I assisted my son's mom in the purchase of a '15 RS5 convertible from the dealership I bought my S3 from a week earlier. Car had 13K on it and really needed a set of front tires as they were less than 3/32". The sales manager was like, "I can sell this like this so long as there is some tread on the tires. Take it or leave it, it is up to you". The guy was a stereotypical used car salesman. There was a cracked plastic venting piece under the car that directed air flow to the transmission. I pointed it out and the fact it was missing one of the rubber air flow diverters and he was like, "that's cosmetic". They ended up ordering that part and agreed to install it and fill the tank with gas when we brought it in for the replacement part. They would not agree to 2 new front tires. This is an expensive semi-super car. This guy was acting like they were losing money on it. I am quite sure they made about $7K or more on that deal. I realize that the RS5 convertible with only 13K miles on it and 8 months old, is a hard car to find. But do they have to be complete asshats about it?

 

[GlacierS3]

I wonder if Audi sends out surveys for used cars, if so I would make sure your reviews reflect the poor customer service.

The plastic vent is probably still covered under warranty so it wouldn't cost them anything to fix it.

 

[Cairo94507]

Not a warranty item according to them since it is cracked and they say was damaged by something on the road. Regardless, they are replacing it. Yeah, if only they would send out a survey.