MaestroADS-MRR Universal Radio Replacement and Steering Wheel Interface

Very impressed with this module. This review is to give specifics of what does and does not work in this specific vehicle and hardware combo. Vehicle is a 2011 Audi TT-S (Mk2, 8J). Radio is Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX. This module does not let you retain the factory amp, which my car had. There are at least 3 possible types of factory systems for this car: Concert radio without factory amplifier, RNS-E radio with factory amplifier, and Bose radio with factory Bose amplifier. I had the RNS-E with amp combo, so I had to manually bypass the factory amp (in the driver's side hatch compartment). Firmware setup was kind of difficult because you need Internet Explorer (not Edge, Chrome, Safari, etc.) and there are some specific Java and such updates that you need. During setup, you get to decide what your steering wheel buttons do. There are separate functions for press and hold for when you press each scroll wheel in and for the voice button. There are also ways to set a function for when you hold scroll up or hold scroll down, which doesn't really make sense, so I didn't set anything for those. Also, you can't program anything to the Mode button. I was able to make volume, seek, mute, source change, call answer, and Siri all work. Scrolling the volume is actually just as responsive as it is from the factory, except when you're on the gauge display, when there's a slight lag.Song and call information does appropriately display on the factory gauge cluster in the top 1/3 segment. HOWEVER, you have to set it to MFD type 2 in the settings menu on the radio, AND it doesn't scroll. The top line says the source type for awhile after changing it, then changes to the song title. The second line shows the artist, then changes to the album name. This all works regardless of the source type, interestingly including wireless CarPlay, which I didn't expect. The gauge display screen has a ton of options for gauges to show, and it can show up to 5 at a time. There's about a half second lag, but it's still very cool. I forget all of the options as you have to configure them when you set the firmware up, but there are two presets that I set as you can see in the pictures. You can have it record peak values and set indicator lights for when any parameters go out of range. The second screen that can be displayed isn't particularly useful. The door open indicators, battery voltage, and check engine light tool all work, but tire pressure analysis doesn't work on mine (it may on other trim/option levels). I had a check engine light and was able to see the specific code and clear it with ease. The section for climate control doesn't work (probably doesn't work on any TT's), and the parking sensor section doesn't work, but may if you have that option on your car. The unit also does some other things like allowing you to retain your factory Bluetooth functionality (so you can use the factory microphone and vehicle Bluetooth connection), but I preferred to use the Pioneer Bluetooth instead. The unit also provides +12V ignition, VSS, parking brake, and reverse light wires during installation, which drastically simplify things. Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with this unit. Many sites say they don't recommend replacing the radio in this car, but I see no detriment at this point as long as you know how to bypass the factory amp and use the Maestro module (VW1 harness is also "required" for use...I'm sure you could hardwire it somehow, but it GREATLY simplifies the installation...and there's a ton of space behind the radio to put modules, wires, harnesses, etc, FYI)

I have been installing aftermarket stereos in my vehicles since I started driving in the 80s. It has been a few years since I have done one, and I was amazed at how far the technology has come with units like this Maestro ADS-MRR.I was able to program it specifically for my older truck I just purchased - a 2014 F-150 with a tiny, stock 4.3" screen. During programming, it showed a diagram of my steering wheel buttons as I chose what function I wanted to use with each button - very specific and VERY helpful! There was no guesswork.One word of caution - I used a MicroUSB cable I already had connected to my computer and it did not power on or cause the computer to recognize that a new USB device had been connected. I knew the cable was good, so I thought maybe the unit was bad or needed something else done. I tried a different cable and had the same result. When I used the cable that came with the unit, it lit up and connected just fine. I don't know why - it is just another MicroUSB cable, but for some reason, my others did not work. The one supplied is a little beefier, so maybe that was it.The unit works great. Setup was not difficult. The instructions are not as thorough or understandable as the video they had for my vehicle on their website. Using the two together helped make the installation easier.All in all, I highly recommend this unit. I am thoroughly pleased with the result and have a fantastic stereo setup in an older truck.

This interface, along with the correct harnesses, allowed me to keep all factory features on my 2008 Silverado 2500HD LTZ. It must be flashed or programmed to your specific vehicle and factory options using a computer. The website does a good job guiding you through the setup by showing you options with drop-down menus specific to your vehicle and all the different available factory options. Uses actual pictures of factory steering wheels to make sure you select the correct options. It also asks for the specific model of your aftermaket head unit and has actual pictures of each unit for reference. Setup only takes a few minutes if you know what options your vehicle comes with. The one and only thing i didn't like about this interface is that it has connectors on opposite sides and makes for a slightly less neat installation. I moved the factory harnesses around to help make the installation a little neater and less bulky. There was one harness that i wasn't sure about, so i called the manufacturer and their customer service/tech support was quick and outstanding. i wasn't on hold at all. just called pressed a number for tech support and someone with perfect english was on the line within a few seconds. i wasn't asked for any information regarding purchase date, purchase location, or serial numbers of any sort. just asked for vehicle and head unit information and answered all of my questions within about 4 minutes. The person on the line even offered to give me a walk-though of my head unit features. When used with the correct harnesses this interface allows you to keep all of your factory features and even adds some extras (Gages that read vehicle info from OBDII port if your head unit supports it). Please note that at least a little bit of technical experience helps with the installation. If you have never installed an aftermarket head unit before, professional installation may be required.