Want to install THIS RNS-E in my B7. See anything wrong?

**Headsock** · 01-25-2010 05:53 AM

Unit can be seen HERE

Will I need anything else (based on the pictures + part number 8EO 035 192T) to get this thing up and running?

I've spent the morning browsing how-to's and the install seems very straight forward. I just want to make sure I've got everything I need before I go ahead and install it.

**stmcknig** · 01-25-2010 06:58 AM

I retrofitted one to my 2004 B6 S4 without too much trauma - don't recall the part number offhand. The main thing to get worked out is that you will need an appropriate harness from the Symphony to the RNS to take into account Bose/non Bose. You will also need to get access to someone with VCDS or VAG COM (look for Rosstech) to code the RNS to your car options. Any article that says it's just a drop in replacement is being a little economical with the truth.

Check out this forum as these guys know their stuff - http://audiforum.us/rns-e/

One thing to bear in mind, if you have satellite radio it may stop working unless you fit a more recent receiver. When I added the RNS I had to upgrade to a later Sirius unit. But once you get there, the next mod is possibly Bluetooth if you want and don't have.

As a system it may not have all the bells and whistles (touch screen etc) but it does look very nice and clean OEM (well it is, isn't it!)

Oh and make sure the seller has the unlock code because when you install it in your car it will realize it's in a different vehicle. Taking the battery down doesn't require you to re enter the code once it's been 'paired' but without that code it may be impossible - Audi dealers recently tightened up on how they give out the codes due to the number of stolen units floating around. Not something you want to find after spending $800 really.
Good luck!

**charliemike** · 01-25-2010 07:33 AM

Stmcknig makes some good points.

However, I wanted to give you the other side of the coin:

I installed my RNS-E in a car that never had it (to my knowledge) without any VAG-COM tweaking at all. It really was plug-and-play.

And I used older XM and Sirius (circa 2005) satellite radio units without any problems as well.

That said, VAG-COM will give you the turns in the DIS (which I never had). That to me is worth whatever price you have to pay to get it done (assuming you can't find someone local and have to buy the VAG-COM yourself).

Good luck with the install. It's a bit of a pain in the ass.

My advice is to put the satellite antenna for the RNS-E behind the instrument cluster. You'll need a special Torx bit to get the bolts for the instrument cluster out. I'd go to a hardware store and try to find some sort of driver with a long extension so that you can get to it easily. Magnetized would be very beneficial.

Also, if you do take out the instrument cluster, lower the steering wheel all the way down and lock it there. No point fighting the steering wheel to get the cluster out when you don't have to :)

**Headsock** · 01-25-2010 07:41 AM

Thanks you guys for the input. Much appreciated.

I really do prefer the OEM unit over 99% of the aftermarket stuff. It looks great and you can't beat OEM fit and finish.

I planned on putting the GPS antenna behind the instrument cluster as well. Thanks for the tips on hardware removal.

I don't have an existing satellite radio so I won't have any issues there. I'm going to have to fing a local with VAG-COM to reprogram my unit.

I don't believe I need another harness considering I have an 07. Am I right?

**charliemike** · 01-25-2010 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Headsock

Thanks you guys for the input. Much appreciated.

I really do prefer the OEM unit over 99% of the aftermarket stuff. It looks great and you can't beat OEM fit and finish.

I planned on putting the GPS antenna behind the instrument cluster as well. Thanks for the tips on hardware removal.

I don't have an existing satellite radio so I won't have any issues there. I'm going to have to fing a local with VAG-COM to reprogram my unit.

I don't believe I need another harness considering I have an 07. Am I right?

If you have BOSE you'll need the extra harness. I had it in my 2005 and you'll need it. You can get them everywhere if the person selling the unit won't include it.

**Mrdeezy** · 01-25-2010 08:42 AM

My car is a 2004 and had the joystick navigation.When i installed the rns-e i thought i would need vag for cluster directions but ended up not needing it.I put my antenna on top of the glovebox it was easy and i havent seen any ill effects.

**Headsock** · 01-25-2010 08:53 AM

No Bose here. Booo

**WhatADream** · 01-25-2010 09:06 AM

install the antena in the fuse box next to the driver door... thats where i put mine, and i have zero problems... No need to take the instrument cluster out! plus the GPS antena is magnetic which sits well in there...

**Headsock** · 01-26-2010 08:09 AM

copied from nav plus

8E0 035 192 C Audi A4 Europe, MY 2004, 8E B6
8E0 035 192 D Audi A4 Europe, MY 2005, 8E B7
8E0 035 192 E Audi A4 North America, MY 2005.5, 8E B6
8E0 035 192 F Audi A4 North America, MY 2006, 8E B7
8E0 035 192 G Audi A4 BNS 5.0
8E0 035 192 H Audi A4 Europe, MY 2006, 8E B7, with SDS
8E0 035 192 J Audi A4 North America, MY 2006, 8E B7
8E0 035 192 K Audi A4 Europe, MY 2007, 8E B7, sw 0500
8E0 035 192 M Audi A4 BNS 5.0
8E0 035 192 N Audi A4 Europe, MY 2007, 8E B7, with SDS
8E0 035 192 P Audi A4 North America, MY 2007, 8E B7
8E0 035 192 Q Audi A4 Europe, MY 2008, 8E B7
8E0 035 192 R Audi A4 Europe, MY 2008, 8E B7, with SDS, sw 0650
8E0 035 192 S Audi A4 BNS 5.0
8E0 035 192 T Audi A4 Europe, MY 2008, 8E B7, sw 0650
8E0 035 193 Audi A4 Europe, MY 2008.5, 8E B7, with SDS

My P/N seems to be a European #. Does this mean I'm going to have to flash this thing?

**Ill 3.0** · 01-26-2010 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by WhatADream

install the antena in the fuse box next to the driver door... thats where i put mine, and i have zero problems... No need to take the instrument cluster out! plus the GPS antena is magnetic which sits well in there...

Right, or just behind the HU. I have my antenna just hanging out in the space behind the RNSE, and I've never had reception problems.

**stix123123** · 01-26-2010 09:45 AM

I put the gps antenna in the glove box where the CD changer would go. I dont have a CD changer so there was a cutout square in the glove box that gave me access right to the back of the RNSE. It was very easy and didnt require messing with anything.

I think people who had plug and play units probably got them from someone that coded it to your exact specs. That's what I did and it was extremely easy to swap in the RNSE. I don't know how to do anything with stereos or even cars for that matter and I was able to do it. One tip when pulling out your old radio, put all four removal keys into the old radio and then put a screw driver into the loops of two of the keys (one screw driver for the left two keys and one for the right two keys. This gives you handles to pull out the radio and will make it extremely easy to get the old radio out.