RNS-D HELP!!

[Sole_]

Hey guys, I am looking to install this RNS-D to my B5, it came off an A6 2002 the first prefix to the part number is 4B as you can see. I don't really care about the Nav, I just want basic function of the radio and CD as of right now. What would it take for it to work for my car properly? Do I need a special harness or is it plug and play? I have 6 disk cd changer as well in the trunk. Please help me.

Here is what it looks like:
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ253420425

Please guys if you can help me, I would really appreciate it. Also I did search and most of the things I found was for the RNS-E the newer version.
Thanks guys!

[Pete_S4]

If all you want is a working CD player and radio, just go get yourself a new factory radio for $40!

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4-...ereo/ES429216/

[Sole_]

If all you want is a working CD player and radio, just go get yourself a new factory radio for $40!

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4-...ereo/ES429216/

Yes, very funny. hahaha..

EDITED.

[mholme]

He was giving you a legitimate solution, so I'm not really sure why you're so quick to fly off the handle. And a 4D RNS D is going to be a poor fit in your dash. It's designed for an A8/S8 console

[Sole_]

He was giving you a legitimate solution, so I'm not really sure why you're so quick to fly off the handle. And a 4D RNS D is going to be a poor fit in your dash. It's designed for an A8/S8 console

Please explain to me how it was legitimate solution? Did it answer how it will work for my car? Does my car already come with the STOCK head unit? 4D is made for the A6, as I said it came off a 2002 A6, also I read all it take for it to fit nicely is to trim the bottom and heat the sides up.

[mholme]

Please explain to me how it was legitimate solution? Did it answer how it will work for my car? Does my car already come with the STOCK head unit? 4D is made for the A6, as I said it came off a 2002 A6, also I read all it take for it to fit nicely is to trim the bottom and heat the sides up.

A 4B unit is for an A6. If you have questions about something, don't call someone an idiot in your reply. You seem to have all the answers, so figure out the install for yourself chief.

[Sole_]

A 4B unit is for an A6. If you have questions about something, don't call someone an idiot in your reply. You seem to have all the answers, so figure out the install for yourself chief.

Then I stand corrected if youre right.

EDIT: I made a typo, it says 4B right there in the pictures. Clearly I don't have the answers if I'm asking, Chief.

Also, It clearly shows how smart he is, if he is going to suggest a "SOLUTION" with something OUR cars comes with STOCK. As I stated all I want for "FOR NOW" is the radio to work.

CHIEF.

[mholme]

Really? Is this really necessary? I've got probably every document on installing one of these that I could send you in the click of a button and you want to play this game?

[Sole_]

Really? Is this really necessary? I've got probably every document on installing one of these that I could send you in the click of a button and you want to play this game?

What game? You said he gave me a LEGITIMATE answer, I'm asking you how he accomplished that? He gave me a link to buying something OUR cars already comes with. So I don't understand what game it is I am playing. If you can tell me how his answer is LEGITIMATE I will apologize to you and him.

[witwer4444]

OP, just chill. You have to remember that you're the one asking for help and if there was a RNS-D store somewhere you wouldn't walk in with that attitude would you. Since no one knows anyone on here by face or in-person, the only way we can connect to each other is how you make your attitude via text. And if you start bitching, well people will know and be much less helpful. Both Marques (mholme) and I are very knowledgable about these units and have taught each other much about them but to be honest, its going to take you ALOT of research on your end to figure it out. We cant tell you everything, and we cant be here 24/7 for your questions. I'd keep looking around, the answers ARE on this website as I have put up a much more informational thread over a year ago. And how did I get the thread to be so informational? By not being an ass about it.

We're here to help, not be attacked.

Good luck with the research, you better get started now. If you have more specific questions other than "how do I install this" then you can ask either of us but dont expect a simple answer.

/end rant.

[Sole_]

OP, just chill. You have to remember that you're the one asking for help and if there was a RNS-D store somewhere you wouldn't walk in with that attitude would you. Since no one knows anyone on here by face or in-person, the only way we can connect to each other is how you make your attitude via text. And if you start bitching, well people will know and be much less helpful. Both Marques (mholme) and I are very knowledgable about these units and have taught each other much about them but to be honest, its going to take you ALOT of research on your end to figure it out. We cant tell you everything, and we cant be here 24/7 for your questions. I'd keep looking around, the answers ARE on this website as I have put up a much more informational thread over a year ago. And how did I get the thread to be so informational? By not being an ass about it.

We're here to help, not be attacked.

Good luck with the research, you better get started now. If you have more specific questions other than "how do I install this" then you can ask either of us but dont expect a simple answer.

/end rant.

Thank alot I really appreciate that, and yeah I am wrong for calling him an idiot, but with an answer like that doesn't really help.. especially with your friend backing him up saying it was a LEGITIMATE answer. But thank you for responding. Also sorry Marques for being bitchy, just seems people doesn't wanna really help rather make fun or make jokes, when someone actually wants some actual help. But thank you again.

[KNaudi]

as I said in my PM to you OP, get one that comes from a B5 and not an A6. Honestly though, the RNS-D sucks as a nav unit. I sold mine after 6 months and put the OEM Bose back in and use my garmin when I need it.

and did I miss why the OEM radio from ECS wouldn't fit your bill if you don't care about nav?

[witwer4444]

Now, go through my posted threads from Summer to Fall of 2009 and you will find the info to at least get the nav in the car and working. The nav doesnt have a CD player itself so the only way to get CD's to work is if you have a rear OEM changer in the trunk. The CD slot in the Nav is for Nav disks only.

[Sole_]

Now, go through my posted threads from Summer to Fall of 2009 and you will find the info to at least get the nav in the car and working. The nav doesnt have a CD player itself so the only way to get CD's to work is if you have a rear OEM changer in the trunk. The CD slot in the Nav is for Nav disks only.

Alright, will do. Thanks alot!

[mholme]

OK, lets start fresh here and not worry about how legitimate a response you got. He was in my opinion trying to help you and for whatever reason it came off as though you were wanting to replace a bad head unit(don't ask me why, sometimes at work, posts get skimmed for the basic info).

But anywhoooo....

If you want the install files, I can send them later tonight. I can't click on that link at work so I don't know what all it's coming with, but there are a couple things you'll need for a basic install of one of these.

[Sole_]

OK, lets start fresh here and not worry about how legitimate a response you got. He was in my opinion trying to help you and for whatever reason it came off as though you were wanting to replace a bad head unit(don't ask me why, sometimes at work, posts get skimmed for the basic info).

But anywhoooo....

If you want the install files, I can send them later tonight. I can't click on that link at work so I don't know what all it's coming with, but there are a couple things you'll need for a basic install of one of these.

Well basically it comes with the radio code, and the regional disks Canada and US

[Pete_S4]

Well, I apparently stirred up some feelings. Honestly OP if you go back and read your original post, it leaves the impression that you are simply looking for a basic head unit. I made a reasonable assumption that you didn't have a working head unit. Otherwise why would you say you don't care about nav and only care about basic radio and CD if you have a working stock unit? I was trying to save you from buying a $700, 10 year old nav unit only for CD and radio use when I know ECS has very low prices on new stock units.

Now I have installed a C5 A6 RNS-E in a B5 A4 before, so I can tell you that you will have to very likely cut a few mm from the bottom of the unit's face plate to get it to fit and there will be about a 2mm gap on the left and right side of the radio. The RNS-E was by far the more popular retrofit than the RNS-D. This was mainly due to the fact that NA maps were hard to come by. The biggest problem being that the disks had to be modified to work and that information was not widely shared. I see that the ad does not mention the navigation disks. Make sure you have a line on a copy of working modified disks if you ever want to use the nav functions. The good news is that the wiring a fairly direct fit for our cars if I remember correctly, though you'll have to verify this.

The main site for RNS-D retro-fits was a personal site that eventually evolved into navplus.us and then evolved into audiforum.us. Essentially this forum is what remains of the original RNS-D site and they may be best able to answer any specific questions going forward:

http://audiforum.us/cd-navigation-plus/

I also know that some units require the TMC module to communicate with the instrument cluster. I don't know what revisions these were off hand, but the unt was always pretty hard to find and there is no compatable TMC service here in the US or Canada so it is of no other use.

[Sole_]

Well, I apparently stirred up some feelings. Honestly OP if you go back and read your original post, it leaves the impression that you are simply looking for a basic head unit. I made a reasonable assumption that you didn't have a working head unit. Otherwise why would you say you don't care about nav and only care about basic radio and CD if you have a working stock unit? I was trying to save you from buying a $700, 10 year old nav unit only for CD and radio use when I know ECS has very low prices on new stock units.

Now I have installed a C5 A6 RNS-E in a B5 A4 before, so I can tell you that you will have to very likely cut a few mm from the bottom of the unit's face plate to get it to fit and there will be about a 2mm gap on the left and right side of the radio. The RNS-E was by far the more popular retrofit than the RNS-D. This was mainly due to the fact that NA maps were hard to come by. The biggest problem being that the disks had to be modified to work and that information was not widely shared. I see that the ad does not mention the navigation disks. Make sure you have a line on a copy of working modified disks if you ever want to use the nav functions. The good news is that the wiring a fairly direct fit for our cars if I remember correctly, though you'll have to verify this.

The main site for RNS-D retro-fits was a personal site that eventually evolved into navplus.us and then evolved into audiforum.us. Essentially this forum is what remains of the original RNS-D site and they may be best able to answer any specific questions going forward:

http://audiforum.us/cd-navigation-plus/

Yeah, sorry about that, just thought you were being a smart mouth, so it leaves a gap on the side... Hmm maybe this isnt the best option, im gonna do more research about this A6 decks. I heard of someone cutting the bottom which isnt a problem and heating up the side to make it expand? Anyone have an input about what im talking about? Also so you're saying you have had
this installed in your car and the stock S4 harness didnt need any modifications?

[Pete_S4]

No, I have an aftermarket Pioneer AVIC unit in my S4. I've just installed a number of radios for myself and others and been around these cars since the beginning. The RNS-E I installed an a friend's A4 is the DVD based replacement for the RNS-D. My MEMORY is that the RNS-D (which was an option on our cars in Europe) is mostly a plug in afair. I serious doubt you'd be able to heat the left and right ears and expand them to fit without doing serious damage cosmetic.

I all honesty unless you MUST have a factory Audi system, I'd really steer you in the direction of an aftermarket unit. Most of the double din nav units available look really nice when installed with the Metra double din adapter kit. The RNS-D and RNS-E both have fairly significant issues when installing them in a NA spec B5 A4/S4 and the forum support for installing these units really peaked abotu 4-5 years ago. I would really only jump on one of these if the price was good and it was coming out of a known working installation in a NA spec B5. For $700 I'd wait for an RNS-E too. If you go looking for an RNS-E it can only be the one intended for the 2002-05 A6, don't buy anything else.

[Pete_S4]

You might actually want to look at this RNS-E unit, it seems to come with everything including the wiring harness. I'm not sure what navigation disk it comes with, but the NA RNS-E disks are easy to come by (unlike the RNS-D). My friend recently bough an A3 with a factory RNS-E and got an extra nav disk with it. That disk worked just fine in the RNS-E I installed in his B5 A4.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Never...fAudioQ5fVideo

I would educate yourself on all of the revisions of the C5 A6 RNS-E unit before buying, but this likely a better bet for you than that RNS-D. The one big issue RNS-Es have with B5s is that the time for the RNS-E is set through the instrument cluster. The communication between the two isn't fully compatable, so sometimes the time on the RNS-E will be correct, other times it will not. This will affect the time to destination when using the nav function. Of course the face plate has to be cut as I mentioned earlier.

[Sole_]

Yeah Pete it seems now that you are right, the RNS-E is much better option.. I really appreciate your input, im actually tryin to steer away from an Aftermarket as it doesn't quite flow with the interior. But really thanks a bunch I really appreciate all the info you have given me.

[Pete_S4]

Yeah, the factory vs aftermarket is a personal one. I'm very picky aesthetically myself. My unit has 32K color options for the backlighting, so it matches very well. I also changed the startup splash screen to the RNS-E one.

One other thing I should mention is that the 2002-05 A6s used a soft touch rubberized coating on the center stack much like that which is on our window switch plates. The RNS-Es also have this coating which will contrast a bit with the uncoated, more shiny plastic in our center stack. My personal opinion is the plastic on the Metra adapter, while a different grain, match better to the factory plastic. That said it's not enough to bother most people.

If you go with the RNS-E, I found that cutting off the extra plastic on the bottom of the faceplate with a dremel cut off wheel went pretty well if you went slow and took your time. To cut off the right amount I just put the radio in, marked where the HVAC panel ended with a pencil on both sides, and connected the marks with a ruler.

[mholme]

Well basically it comes with the radio code, and the regional disks Canada and US

I just got a chance to look at that link and that's really on the high end price wise for an RNS-D unit. There's a VW/Audi specific adpater that's only like 25 dollars that makes install plug and play, aside from a GPS antenna. Unfortunately, the most reliable North American supplier is back ordered on them. The gaps on the side of the 4B unit are minimal and most people that can't find the 8D units opt for this one, including myself. Either factory option you go with has it's plus and minus factors and are really out of thier league going up against aftermarket, but I too prefer the factory look. Everything Pete_S4 wrote of both units is true. I prefer the RNS-D since it's period correct for the car, doesn't cost that much and gets me up and down the east coast accurately. And oddly enough, I got a traffic message stored in mine yesterday and I don't even have a TMC box

Do your research and if you end up going with either factory unit, there are plenty of resources still available.

[Sole_]

I just got a chance to look at that link and that's really on the high end price wise for an RNS-D unit. There's a VW/Audi specific adpater that's only like 25 dollars that makes install plug and play, aside from a GPS antenna. Unfortunately, the most reliable North American supplier is back ordered on them. The gaps on the side of the 4B unit are minimal and most people that can't find the 8D units opt for this one, including myself. Either factory option you go with has it's plus and minus factors and are really out of thier league going up against aftermarket, but I too prefer the factory look. Everything Pete_S4 wrote of both units is true. I prefer the RNS-D since it's period correct for the car, doesn't cost that much and gets me up and down the east coast accurately. And oddly enough, I got a traffic message stored in mine yesterday and I don't even have a TMC box

Do your research and if you end up going with either factory unit, there are plenty of resources still available.

The thing is, I actually brought the price down to 500. So you are saying it literally not noticeable width wise the gap it leaves? Since you do have it, do you mind taking a picture for everyone...to finally show everyone? I looked at alot of threads and not one person has posted up a picture. I would really appreciate and I think for 500 with the radio code and both Canada and US cd is a great price and it is local which is even better. If you could please post up picture I would really appreciate it! Also do you mind telling me what the adapter is called? So i can source it out somewhere else, the NAV i don't care so much about since I already have an Iphone, please post up a picture, I would really appreciate it.

[mholme]

Oh the gaps are definitely noticeable, but you live with it or get creative for a 4B fitment. Excuse the faded buttons and scuffs I actually have a spare parts RNS-D I have yet to swap them for:




You can get creative and trim the hazard surround and heat mold the sides of the console in for better fit, but I never bothered. I'm still holding out for an 8D unit.

The adapter you would need is this one http://kufatec.com/index.php?main_pa...roducts_id=112
But like I said, it's out of stock. You can bulid your own if you're skilled.

[Sole_]

I could honestly live with that, im gonna try to look on ebay for that harness.

PS. your interior needs some upkeeping :P

[mholme]

Look on UK and German ebay for a harness.

Yes, my interior is needs some attention...and the exterior for that matter...

[Silver Bullitt]

Kufatec never stocks them in their US store but if you order through them they will have one brought over for you on their next shipment. (Slow boat...mooot moooooot). 3-4 weeks.

[Silver Bullitt]

update...been 7 weeks...Still waiting. :(