I just spent the afternoon hardwiring my Passport radar detector w/lasar into the 1997 A8 I recently purchased. Now that I know it doesn't work with the window tint in my vehicle, can someone tell me what type of detector options I have?

The pre-2000 windshields are horrendous with radar detection, they reflect something like 75%+ of the radar signals. Really no protection at all. The only options you have are to get a 2000 windshield installed (~$700 P&L) or get an external detector where the sensors are mounted behind the grill or in the license plate frame and use an internal control unit. These are the only options I know of. If you have any chips or cracks a new windshield might be cost effective because it will also allow your cel phone to work better.

So is this yet another one of the many corners that audi took this year with the A8? Or has an alternative been found that gives all of the features of the old glass without the drawbacks?

People bitched because their cel phones and radar detectors would not work. An ultra quick defrosting windshield is somethting that most Audi A8 owners, including myself, would gladly give up to have our electronics work. I am also glad because a rock recently broke my glass, the new one is about a third the cost of the older style. All good in my book.

The glass on the MY1997 A8 is bulletproof glass. This was done to reduce noise in the car. Radar signals will not penetrate the glass at all.

It seems like replacing my windshield for the $50 deductable is much more cost effective than a $900 "built-in" radar detector and $300 car kit for the cell phone.

Did your cell phone really work that much better by just replacing the front glass?

Do I go to the dealer or a auto glass shop for the windshield?

BMW's fix was to have a cutout in the "tint" where the radar detector almost always is. If cost was a big issue I think that people would be driving a different car.

Well, I can't compare because my 2000 came with non metalic glass to begin with but I have heard some horror stories and Car & Driver did a whole bit about the pit-falls of this type of glass.

I went to the dealer, I found it to be reasonably priced. Insurance may not improve of a non OE glass install as to the year.

The cost. The OE "insulated" glass is $680 whereas the glass in the newer models is $320.

Thanks for the advise Bart.

Bart...
We discussed my stress crack on VAA's 8. To my surprise Audi will replace the windshield with the original type... Claiming superior UV protection... Am I the only one with a stress crack on a 8?

Charles

Replacing the windscreen just for a Radar Detector and using for Cellphone is AFAIK nonsense. Especially with the phone, it´s a big safety loss when holding the mobile in one hand and let the little antenna sending the RF radiation into the inside of the car. It´s not only a health issue (the car´s body reflects a big amount of the energy and keeps it inside the car), even the on-Board electronics can act erratic or can be damaged. No fun when Your Airbag comes out while driving... ;-)

Go for a free speaking set and a good external antenna and a radar detector that integrates into the grille. If You have the money for an A8 the few bucks for that shouldn´t be the problem...

Benjamin