Retrofitting an RNS-E in an MKI TT.

[AvanTTix]

Shortly after getting the TT, I came across an old post on AudiWorld about a guy talking about doing a RNS-E retrofit.



I've got a "spare" RNS-E unit that I was going to sell since I've upgraded the one in the Avant to an 2010 MKII TT/A3 model. But after reading about the possibility of installing one in a MKI TT and since I need to replace the stereo in the TT as it looks like crap and the display doesn't work really well, I thought I might as well see if I can get this done. Now I realise buying a replacement Symphony unit would cost much much less money and headaches than undertaking this project, but then where would be the fun in that?

So I tracked down the company making these double din units: Satnav Systems. The website is pretty useless, but I found more pics and contact info on an Audi French-based forum. So I emailed them and got some more pics:



From "afar" the console does look good. Although I don't like the aluminum/metallic trim around the AC unit. But from what I'm told it needs to be there to hide the unfinished opening.



But once you start looking a close-up pics, it seems that the RNS-E doesn't even sit flush w/i the opening of the console.





After doing some more digging on the internet I finally found a pic of the console itself w/o the Nav or the AC unit fitted in:



I wasn't already too impressed by the pics of the console w/ the Nav and AC unit installed, but I can tell you that after seeing this, I'm even less impressed. It doesn't seem very sturdy and I'm not sure the Nav unit is really tightly mounted in there. It's also pretty obvious there is no way around that aluminum/metallic trim around the AC unit.

All this for £299 (~$500) plus shipping from the UK... hum...

So after talking to my mechanic; Freddie, and showing him the pics, we decided to scrap that...

... and instead we're going to try to fabricate one ourselves.

We're going to use the double din frame out of a B6/B7 centre console and mount it w/i the frame of a TT. Obviously there will be some work needed to make it look like it belongs in the TT, but hopefully we'll be able to get there...

I already purchased a spare TT frame w/ the AC controls.



My mechanic is gonna order the B6/B7 double din frame from a junk yard, should be around $50...

Next step: to call Kufatec to order the proper harness...

[Warranty225cpe]

There's nothing like someone doing something innovative, only to execute poorly and "almost" hit a home run. It's about time for me to build a nice double din A/C relocation. The stock garbage is horrible. I think I would go with a nice touch screen mini tablet pc or a nice LCD.

[Mantvis]

how will that fit in there??

isnt the hole too small?? :D

[Mantvis]

Make a diy pleaaaaseee

[Warranty225cpe]

how will that fit in there??

isnt the hole too small?? :D

more room because your losing the ash tray.

[Mantvis]

more room because your losing the ash tray.

ohhh yeahhh, i knew that something was different :D

[bebmotorsports]

I will keep my ashtray thanks (even though it is not used for cirgarette ashes).

[AvanTTix]

Alright I just placed the order w/ Kufatec:

- RNS-E Retrofit Harness for Audi A3 8L (#33405)


- Audi antenna adapter diversity radio to RNS-E (#33408 )


- Bluetooth Handsfree Harness for Audi A3 8P (#33786)


Now I need to wait btw 2-4 weeks for these to arrive from the Motherland...

[AvanTTix]

I was able to do some testing this weekend after finally receiving the harness from Kufatec.

One thing I can say is that this turned out to be much easier than I thought it would be. The couple of write-ups out there on retrofitting an RNS-E in an MKI TT made it sound a lot more difficult than this turned out to be.

Here the harness:


I'm still missing/waiting for the radio antenna adapter but thought I would still go ahead w/ my testing since I'm more interested in finding out about the navigation functionality of the RNS-E.

So I plugged in the factory power and external control connectors into the RNS-E adapter, plugged in the quad-lock into the back of the RNS-E, plugged in the satellite antenna and turned the unit on. It powered up, asked for the security code, entered that, and then the radio came on... Well the only thing coming out was statics since there wasn't any antenna plugged in... but that was a good sign. We loaded a couple of CD in the changer, checked the RNS-E was seeing them and we were able to control them and we did. Then we loaded the navigation DVD and went into the Nav menu. As expected it took about 30mins for the RNS-E to receive enough satellites to know where it was and then we tested the route guidance and that worked right away:





We also turned on the ignition to check what was showing up in the cluster and to my surprise the navigation data showed up in the Driver Information Display w/o even having to code it to make it aware of the RNS-E, which I find really surprising.





So everything seems to be working as expected. I think some coding still need to be done for both the RNS-E and cluster, but I was quite happy to not have to run any additional wires from the RNS-E to the cluster to provide it w/ the CAN signals as I had read in one of the write-ups.

The next step is to figure out what to do in term of the double din console. Right now, I think I'm going to end up ordering the SatNav unit despite the fact that I'm not happy w/ its finish and fit. But at least that will give us something to work w/ and improve on as opposed to starting from scratch. The cost associated w/ trials and errors in fabricating one from scratch go easily be way more than the $500 the SatNav unit costs.

[chaldowhiteboy]

wow this is awesome.. i want to do this. can't wait to see how it finishes. really surprising how it showed up in the driver info display. audi knows what it's doing. and can't wait to see what frame/console will look like and how you made it!

[Mantvis]

when ur done ull have to do alittle DIY :P

[scooterandbeans]

Have you seen this?

http://www.pogea-gmbh.de/product_inf...roducts_id=148

[Mantvis]

^^^but thats 430 USD without shipiping :(

[AvanTTix]

Have you seen this?

http://www.pogea-gmbh.de/product_inf...roducts_id=148

Yes I've seen the Pogea unit before and I wasn't impressed by it. It looks way too bulky.

[illanoiz]

Definitely keeping an eye on this. I was going to order the Pogea - but it is pricey, unfinished and doesn't include shipping.

[ReneR]

Any updates on this? I know you were planning on having it done for the 10yr Anni, were you able to reach that goal?

[AvanTTix]

Almost... The prototype broke during shipping so I wasn't able to install it once I received it and unfortunately it was too late by then to get another piece done.

I'm however extremely impressed with the quality of the prototype, and I'm really really looking forward to the next one. There are no timeline though at this point, but it will get done... ...

[ReneR]

just checking in seeing how you are coming along.

[AvanTTix]

Prototype was sent back. I believe it's been epoxy back together, but unfortunately the individual working on it has been travelling a fair bit lately so not much more to report. Trust me, I wish it was further along and I'm still hopeful that it will get done... But don't know your breath in the meantime... ...

[AvanTTix]

Anyone still following this?!? ...

Here's a little teaser... ...



Super duper happy w/ the fit of the prototype. ...

[Poopie]

sexy. i would love to do this one day

[kristokes]

WOW! It looks great, Stefan

More pictures, please.