Retrofitting an MY2010 MKII TT RNS-E unit in an MY2003 B6A4.

[AvanTTix]

I thought I would start a new thread to document the retrofit of a MY2010 MKII TT RNS-E unit in a MY2003 B6A4.

I will basically post the same contents here as over in the thread I've got on NavPlus... AZ will always be my Audi home, but NavPlus is my Nav resource... ... This is not about "us" vs. "them", it's about sharing info and getting things working that Audi never intended for us... ...

I bough the unit used from an MKII TT owner who had bought it at the dealership and later decided to sell the TT. So this is a legit North America unit.









Here's a close-up of its label for reference:



So I realise I need to swap the faceplates, but before doing that I wanted to check that the unit would work in the Avant. All the connections are the same btw the "new" and the "old" RNS-E. There is no re-wiring needed. It's plug & play at this stage.





Since the unit was bought new, the previous owner didn't need a PIN when he installed it in his TT and thus never bothered to figure it what it was. Thankfully my mechanic used to be a Master Tech at Audi so he was able to figure out what the PIN was. As an FYI, in order to retrieve the PIN, you need to take the AUZ number of the unit to a dealership and ask them to look it up. If your unit is legit, it is most likely they will be able to provide it to you.

So armed w/ my PIN, I got the unit to work in the Avant:



It did take a while for the unit to "acknowledge" its new environment.

For the time being I have coded the unit to the same code as the "old" unit: 0301615. The software is 0070.

But I've got to say that for a while I was really wondering if the CAN Low & High connections or signals sent thru these connections were the same. The reason for that is that I've got a V1 radar detector w/ an ADR interface that sends the V1 data to my Driver Information Display and for a while the only thing I could see in the DID was all the possible V1 signals, no radio station or MP3 song titles. But after leaving the Avant and the unit turned off for a few minutes, the data displayed in the DID showed as expected when I turned everything back on. Now I did have to turn off both the ignition and the RNS-E itself, since at first turning on and off the ignition had no effect on the RNS-E whatsoever. Again this worked as expected after leaving both off for a few minutes.

Now the one thing I really wanted to test was the Rear View Camera and unfortunately at this point, it is not working. There is no TV option in the Media menu. That to me is almost a deal breaker. I've had the RVC for a few months now, and you get used to it... I'll do some more testing though before I give up on that, and no I don't yet know what "that" is, i.e. the 2010 RNS-E or the RVC...

As an FYI accessing the Engineering menu on the 2010 unit is done in the same fashion as for the "old" unit: press "Nav", then the right button above the main knob for 5secs, then the left button above the main knob for another 5secs or until the Engineering menu appears. Taking screen shots is still an option and I've already started taking some which I'll be posting later. Although it takes longer for the screen shot to be recorded to the SD card, maybe it would be faster w/ an SDHC cad...

Talking about the screen, the definition is amazing. There is truly a noticeable difference from the previous version. The schema of the colours used for the roads has changed. I think I like the new one better although my favorite one remains the European schema on the "old" unit. Again I'll post comparison screen shots at some points. One thing I also noticed is that the street definition is better and side streets are now still visible up to a zoom of 500m instead disappearing at a zoom of 300m. It does make the map a little busy but I think it's better that way. Again screen shots to follow...

TMC is now available in North America and it's pretty amazing. It places icons on the road to inform you of specific traffic situations and also highlights the roads using colour coding to indicate traffic... Well I think that's what these colours represent... When selecting the "Info" menu, you get a list of all the traffic situations/events in your area and you can get further details on each by selecting them. Again I'll post screen shots of that option later on.

All in all I'm really torn right now. The higher screen definition, the map colour schema and precision, the TMC info are some really amazing improvements compared to the "old" RNS-E, however I'm not sure I 'm willing to give up the RVC...

[joeycuccaro]

Finally someone got a hold of one of these around here. Subscribed.

[Veereihen6]

Steph, great job!!!!!! If you don't mind me asking, how much did the unit set you back???

Also, is the TMC subscription based or free???

Can't wait to see updated pics. Also, do you have plans to try the factory ipod interface now that you have the newer RNS-E?

[AvanTTix]

Let's just say I got a deal I'm happy with... As an FYI, they sell for $1,800 at the dealership ... plus a core charge of $600, so basically $2,400.

TMC appears to be free since I haven't subscribed to anything and do get all the info.

As for the iPod, I would rarther get my RVC back... that's where my main focus is going to be for now... Plus I don't use an iPod, although I own one, so that's not high on my list. But if I ever get an iPhone, which I may next year, I would probably look into Audi Music Interface further.

[Veereihen6]

cool! not as expensive as I expected for the next gen model either.

Can't wait to see you put it thru its paces...

BTW, if you can't get the RVC to work and its a deal breaker for you.....I'd be interested in making an offer for that unit ;)

[koolade9]

no rvc makes me

The fact that the physical video input itself remains is a sign of hope...since it's truely new hardware, one would think they would completely remove that input to lower cost if they never had any intention of using it...

I'm also wondering if the OEM R8 RVC retro-fit will now be the answer (although I still haven't seen one working yet) I'm going to drop by kufatec next week during my lunch and see if those guys have any good info on the 2010 unit...

Either way, another great write-up in progress Thanks for once again, forging ahead into the unknown for the benefit of the community

[aleicgrant]

I am going to guess you bought it from a certain TTS owner from the pacific northwest :)

Also, my local dealer is now selling them for just over 2k with no core exchange.

I too was looking at the 2010 unit but it sounds like the back up cam option is still a no go?

[AvanTTix]

Well I'm no longer torn...

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that the RVC wasn't working with the software coding of "0301615" I had entered... That code was from when I installed the MFSW, which was installed prior to the RVC... and well we all know that the RVC doesn't work in the A4s...

So today I thought I would try to code the RNS-E to think the Avant was a Lamborghini. I was still not too sure it would work since I thought I recalled even when still coded to an A4 "TV" showed up as a source in the "CD/TV" menu, but there was no such option in the "Media" menu of the 2010 RNS-E...

So I changed the software coding to "0101615" which correspond to the Lamborghini and change the value from "0" to "1" in the adaptation channel 4...

I reset the unit by holding down both the "FM/AM" and "Set-up" buttons, and then the unit reset itself and restarted w/ the Lamborghini start-up screen:



Well that was a good sign... I don't know whether the 2010 Lamborghini's come w/ this new RNS-E, but at least the software was programmed for them...

I then started the Avant, held my breath ... and engaged the reverse... et voilà...





I'm totally in LOVE w/ this new RNS-E now... it's AWESOME!!!

Nest step is to swap faceplates...

[koolade9]

Great work Steph!!

...I guess I need to find me one now

[mnkyA4]

Glad it worked out Steph, Cant wait to see how the face plate works out.

[[email protected]]

subscribed

[ABanT]

I think I like the new one better although my favorite one remains the European schema on the "old" unit.

Sorry to thread jack, but what to you mean by this? Can you change NA unit to have a different software look? I ask because I really hate the brown layout at night. Prefer the black of say, the A8 MMI.

[Calabria]

Damn the new RNS is sexy

[Lusticles]

i feel stupid, but how did you get a color LCD info screen (in between the speedometer and the RPM)

[koolade9]

Sorry to thread jack, but what to you mean by this? Can you change NA unit to have a different software look? I ask because I really hate the brown layout at night. Prefer the black of say, the A8 MMI.

can't change the 'look & feel' of the NA units.

i feel stupid, but how did you get a color LCD info screen (in between the speedometer and the RPM)

B6 A4s that came with the RNS-E, B6/B7 S4s, & most B7 A4s have the color DIS.



Steph,

Whats the status of VIM? And did your unit come with an OEM nav dvd?

[AvanTTix]

Sorry to thread jack, but what to you mean by this? Can you change NA unit to have a different software look? I ask because I really hate the brown layout at night. Prefer the black of say, the A8 MMI.

Technically you could by reprogramming it to a European unit, but then you would also need to modify your North America DVD to work w/ the European software, which is what mine used to be programmed as until I switch the software to the North America one. Btw you and I, not worse the hassle...

[AvanTTix]

i feel stupid, but how did you get a color LCD info screen (in between the speedometer and the RPM)

I changed my cluster which used to have a red monochrome display to a colour one.

[AvanTTix]

Whats the status of VIM? And did your unit come with an OEM nav dvd?

Sorry, I never had the need for Video in Motion do I never did the VIM hack on my old unit, and don't plan on doing it on this one... Someone else will have to experiment w/ that...

As for the disk I do have an OEM disc.

[GameBreaker]

Subscribed! I definitely want to hear how this turns out

[AvanTTix]

Actually it's all done!

I don't have any pics of the unit properly installed w/ the correct faceplate on, but we swapped the faceplates over the weekend. I now have one of a kind unit ... just little touches that make it unique... ...

Just taking the faceplate apart isn't too difficult, but swapping buttons is a PITA. These little screws are on really tight and it's hard not to strip them when removing them.

One thing I noticed is that the screen of the MKII is darker than the screen of the B6/B7 unit. But not enough to bother me...

I'm still working on taking screen shots comparing the previous version w/ the new one... It's a pain sticking/tedious process but I'm almost done. I'll soon have a library of most if not all the different screens that can be displayed for each version.

[AvanTTix]

Here are a couple of pics of the unit all fitted in...





It's barely noticeable in these pictures but the screen surrounding is actually a couple of shades darker than the rest of the unit. As hard as it is for me to accept this imperfection, I think I'll manage live w/ it...

A couple of little things that makes this unit "unique": The on/off & volume knob as well as the main knob from the "older" faceplate were swapped and replaced w/ the knob w/ silver accent from the "newer" faceplate. I also replaced the "CD/TV" button w/ the "Media" button but kept the "Radio" one from the "older" faceplate... Like I mentioned in my previous post, swapping the buttons is a PITA. Everything, circuit board, plastic trims, etc... has to be taken off just to get to the buttons. The only one that comes off easily is the main knob that can just be pulled out. Also the screws tightening everything together are on really tight and it's hard not to strip them in the process of removing them.

I really like how the knobs w/ the silver accents tied in w/ the silver trims on the trays and other buttons as well as w/ the silver trim at the bottom of the unit... I know I know, little details but me like a lot... ...

[aleicgrant]

Looks REAL nice !!!!!!

[Sandeman]

excellent work!

[koolade9]

Sorry, I never had the need for Video in Motion do I never did the VIM hack on my old unit, and don't plan on doing it on this one... Someone else will have to experiment w/ that...

As for the disk I do have an OEM disc.

I stopped by kufatec today and talked to the guys there...got to see a 2010 unit in a new R8 From the looks of it, a software VIM unlock may not be possible at this time... There might be an interim solution using an external VIM module from them. Not ideal, but better then nothing...

Steph, out of curiousity, could you check Ch 005 (speed threshold) next time you're connected to the car? I'm curious if it's 0,5, or 250...maybe I'll get lucky...

edit: now that you're coded for lambo, does 'TV' show up in the source list like it used to?

It's barely noticeable in these pictures but the screen surrounding is actually a couple of shades darker than the rest of the unit. As hard as it is for me to accept this imperfection, I think I'll manage live w/ it...

As a thought, Isn't it possible to swap the screen shroud from your older unit to the new one so it matches your faceplate perfectly?

[AvanTTix]

Steph, out of curiousity, could you check Ch 005 (speed threshold) next time you're connected to the car? I'm curious if it's 0,5, or 250...maybe I'll get lucky...

Will do next time I get a chance to take the laptop downstairs!

edit: now that you're coded for lambo, does 'TV' show up in the source list like it used to?

Nope, it's nowhere to be found. Which I'm somewhat surprised since it was there in the "old" RNS-E when coded to Lambo... At least to RVC picture/image still shows up.

As a thought, Isn't it possible to swap the screen shroud from your older unit to the new one so it matches your faceplate perfectly?

I only realised the shades were different when it was all back together. I'm sure if it's possible to take the screen surround apart. I'll have to take a look...

[Retsujou]

Well I guess I have to subscribe and think about putting this into my RS4. If the stupid Push to Talk button could be made to work with the Kenwood or AVIC units I would be running one of them already. Stupid RNS-E annoys me everytime I look at it.

[vintagespin]

do you have the part number for the 8E (b6/b7) faceplate?

[scud]

I changed my cluster which used to have a red monochrome display to a colour one.

I guess I'm late but is there a guide or somewhere that talks about replacing the red DIS to a color one? Because I thought that was impossible since you had to replace the entire gauge cluster and you can only set the odometer on a brand new cluster.

[koolade9]

I guess I'm late but is there a guide or somewhere that talks about replacing the red DIS to a color one? Because I thought that was impossible since you had to replace the entire gauge cluster and you can only set the odometer on a brand new cluster.

this. It's what he did as well.

[scud]

this. It's what he did as well.

Damn was hoping it was something else cause I know dashes aren't cheap. Oh well.

[sakimano]

good stuff.

Anyone know what previous generation pre-owned RNS-E units sell for in the aftermarket? i.e. if I sell mine, what will it fetch?

If you know that answer, do you also know how much the purchase of a new unit would run all in, including the screencover/faceplate etc.? Just trying to estimate the upgrade cost.

[koolade9]

I've talked to a couple folks, and the number I've seen is around $2600 + faceplate + nav dvd.

As for selling your old one, I think they've been getting around 900-1k depending on condition and accessories...? I could be wrong though, I paid 1500 for mine brand new a couple years ago.

[218army]

Insane write up!! Awesome information. I was wondering if this 2010 unit solved the problem of track/artist information being able to be displayed from the Ipod. I have an 07 Avant with RNS-E with the Audi Ipod adapter in the glove box and this is the single biggest bummer to me about the unit. If track and artist info come across in the new model, i could be persuaded to upgrade. Thanks for doing such a good job writing this up,

Suscribed

[pdxa4]

Incredible work man...Wow the new unit looks sweet...

I may have to work with you in a few months on fitting a unit to my car...

[RandyQUATTRO]

Wow, have been holding out on pulling the trigger for a used RNS-E for my B7. As of now, I will be saving for the 2010 version. Thanks for the great write up. Only thing that concerns me is removing/replacing the buttons

[Slurpee23]

I want one! PM me with a quoted offer and I may just jump...

Is this going to allow me to use my Bluetooth telephone?

- 06 Audi A4 S-Line

[benvfr]

Very impressed. Subscribed to be in the know for an upgrade, ...... maybe.

[mcowger]

Old thread I know, but any pictures or videos of the new iPOd integratioN?

[saizero]

out of curiosity, would you be able to swap out the RNS 2010 screen bezel with one from an older RNS to match the face plate?

-Simon

[AvanTTix]

Absolutely. It's pretty straight forward to do since you've got to disconnect the screen to swap faceplate. Then it's just a matter of a couple of tiny little screws.