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Upgrading the Audi A8 MMI to the latest version

As of writing (April 2011) the most recent MMI version is 5570.

On buying my A8 in December 2010 I found myself on numerous forums doing all manner of research on my new purchase.

On finding out about the Audi Music Interface (AMI) I decided it was a must have but my MMI software version (2120) was way below that that would support the AMI. Also I fancied the idea of 3D maps that was available on later versions of the Sat Nav.

I had looked into getting my local dealer to update the software (pricey) or doing it myself. I dismissed trying to download a hooky version as I don’t trust these sources and have read of other users basically junking their media systems due to dodgy media or software.

Looking on eBay the genuine set of discs were being offered at over £20 delivered, I was tempted until I got the part numbers and found out that Audi retail the set for just over £5 (Part # - 4L0 998 961).

Usual disclaimers : I do not take responsibility for you updating your / anybody else’s MMI system, you do it at your own risk.

Some of the pics may appear out of sync as some of the originals were a little blurred but the process should be correct.

So once ordered and delivered I decided to start the process :

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1. I’d read on many forums that the process can take a while and that the battery level should remain constant, so I started the engine, turned off the climate control and any other consumers (lights etc).

2. I unloaded all CDs from the changer in the glovebox and loaded the first disc. 3. I gave the disc 30 seconds or so to load and then entered the MMI menu to update the software by pressing

‘RETURN’ and ‘SETUP’ at the same time …

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…keep the buttons pressed until the menu appears that indicates the ‘Current Config’ and gives you the ‘SWUpdate’ option

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4. Press the button on the MMI that corresponds to the SWUpdate

5. You will be given the option of the media location (for me only the CD-ROM was offered at this point)

6. Use the centre knob in the MMI to navigate and press to confirm enter, in this instance I just pressed the knob.

7. The MMI will confirm it is reading the information on the CD

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8. I got only one option at this point ‘Standard’, so I selected that

9. You will then be given the options MMI has found requires an update, I left it at the default but I guess you’ll be able to deselect / select options

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10. Using the MMI knob scroll to the bottom of the selection to highlight ‘Start Download’ and confirm by pressing the knob

11. You will be prompted not to use any electrical devices so sit tight and wait

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12. You will then be shown the progress at its various stages

13. Once complete the menu will reappear to show if the updates were successful or not

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14. Scroll to the base of the screen using the thumbwheel, select the ‘Restart MMI’ option and press the scroll wheel to confirm

15. You will get the MMI splash screen

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16. I’d gone from 2120 to 5150 at this point

17. Repeat the process for discs 2 and 3, I found that there was nothing to update from disc 2. 18. Once disc 3 was used I checked my SW version

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19. Job done.

I found the MMI is now more responsive and quicker to navigate around the user interface and the voice control is less troublesome.

I also enabled the 3D maps (NAV > SETUP > Map Type > position 3D) ...

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which i find far more useful with the perspective shown on the map.

I confess to being nervous during the whole exercise whilst updating the software after reading horror stories on the internet but by being methodical I found the process straight forward.

Now onto fitting the AMI

Hope this guide is of use.