The Audi Concert is one of the most enduring names in factory car audio. Produced across multiple generations from the mid-1990s through to the early 2010s, the Concert series was Audi’s mid-range radio offering — positioned above the basic Symphony and below the premium Chorus. If you drive an Audi from this era, there is a strong chance a Concert unit lives behind your dashboard.
The Audi Concert II — a well-built single-DIN unit that aged gracefully and remains in daily use in millions of vehicles.
Concert I, II, and III — What Changed?
Audi produced three distinct generations of the Concert radio, each improving on the last while maintaining the same fundamental design philosophy.
Concert I (1997–2001) was the original version, fitted to the A3 8L, A4 B5, and A6 C5 among others. It featured a single-line dot-matrix display, a single CD slot, and cassette playback in some variants. Build quality was excellent, though the display could suffer from pixel failure in older examples.
Concert II (2001–2006) brought a larger, clearer display and improved ergonomics. It was fitted to the A3 8P, A4 B6, A6 C6, and TT 8N. This generation added CD text support and improved RDS functionality. The Concert II is the most commonly encountered version today.
Concert III (2006–2011) was the final iteration, featuring a full-colour display in some variants and improved audio processing. It was fitted to later A3 8P, A4 B7, and A5 models. Some Concert III units included an AUX input and were compatible with the Audi Bluetooth module.
Part Numbers and Identification
Each Concert unit carries a unique part number on its label, which identifies the generation and the vehicle it was designed for. Common part numbers include:
- 8L0 035 186 — Concert I for A3 8L
- 8E0 035 186 B — Concert II for A4 B6
- 8P0 035 186 D — Concert II for A3 8P
- 8T0 035 186 C — Concert III for A5
The part number is important when sourcing a replacement unit, as not all Concert radios are interchangeable — the wiring harness and DIS integration vary between vehicle platforms.
The Concert’s Security Code System
Like all Audi factory radios, the Concert is protected by a four-digit anti-theft code. This code is stored in the unit’s internal memory and activates whenever power is interrupted. The code is unique to each unit and is linked to its serial number.
When the Concert displays “SAFE”, it means the unit has detected a power interruption and is waiting for the code to be entered. The display will show “1000” initially, indicating that one attempt has been used (the system allows a total of three attempts before imposing a one-hour lockout).
Step-by-Step: Entering the Code on a Concert Radio
- Turn the ignition to position II (accessories on, engine off).
- The radio display will show SAFE. Press and hold the AS button until the display changes to show four dashes: _ _ _ _.
- Use the preset buttons 1–4 to set each digit. Each press increments the digit by one (0 through 9, then back to 0).
- Once all four digits are set correctly, press and hold the AS button again to confirm the code.
- If the code is correct, the radio will unlock and begin normal operation. If incorrect, the display will show SAFE again and the attempt counter will increment.
If the display shows “1 SAFE”, “2 SAFE”, or “WAIT”, this indicates that one or two incorrect attempts have been made, or that the unit is in its lockout period. In the case of “WAIT”, leave the ignition on for approximately one hour before attempting to enter the code again.
Finding Your Concert’s Serial Number
The serial number is printed on a sticker on the top or side of the unit’s casing. To read it, the radio must be removed from the dashboard. On most Audi models, this requires a set of DIN removal tools — flat metal rods that are inserted into the holes on either side of the unit’s faceplate to release the locking clips.
The serial number begins with AUZ and is followed by a series of digits and letters. This number is used to retrieve the corresponding radio code from Audi’s database.
Upgrading from a Concert to a Later System
Many Concert owners choose to upgrade to a later system — typically an RNS-E or a Concert III — to gain navigation, Bluetooth, or improved audio quality. This is generally straightforward on most Audi platforms, though it may require a coding change via VCDS to ensure the new unit integrates correctly with the vehicle’s CAN bus.