B7S4 with RNS-E, what changes will I notice when swapping head unit?

[Guitarmageddon]

Ok, so Ive recently gotten a b7s4 with RNSE and I intend on switching the head unit out, probably with something pioneer. I had the avhp4200dvd in my a4 and I loved it. However, as you can see from the first pic in my old a4, once I swapped over to the pioneer unit, I lost functionality of the top part of the dash display. No big deal to me. Will the same thing happen in the s4 (bottom pic)? Will there be any other changes to happen? I intend on getting a steering wheel adapter to retain steering wheel functionality, so that's not a problem. Obviously Ill lose factory nav/satellite, but Ill be getting the proper aftermarket stuff to make that work with the new head unit. I also intend on replacing/amping the front speakers with focals so they will also be removed out of the loop with the Bose amp. Any other issues anyone foresees who's played with this setup before?


http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/guitarmageddon88/S4/1.png

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/guitarmageddon88/S4/Untitled.png

While were at it...anyone have input on this headunit (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DEXP99R/Pioneer-Stage-4-DEX-P99RS.html?tp=5684)? Its really tempting and seems pretty badass but I don't know that Id want the center console looking so bare. I most likely will settle on the Pioneer AVHP8400BH (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1308400BH/Pioneer-AVH-P8400BH.html?tp=5684).

I had polk mm6501 components in the front of my a4 and they were awesome, but I have been really interested in focals for a while, you guys think that the higher priced focals are justified or will there not be much of a difference? I believe the polks had silk dome tweeters if I'm not mistaken.

[audifirst]

if you use any aftermarket radio you will loose the top portion of display in any cluster..

[Guitarmageddon]

if you use any aftermarket radio you will loose the top portion of display in any cluster..
So then it will just do the same as I had in my a4, black with no display? I know that this car is a bit higher-tech than my plane jane a4, so I just want to make sure its not going to give any dash warnings or anything. Thanks for the input.

[naiku]

So then it will just do the same as I had in my a4, black with no display? I know that this car is a bit higher-tech than my plane jane a4, so I just want to make sure its not going to give any dash warnings or anything. Thanks for the input.

Yup, it will be exactly the same as with your A4.

I would love to have a P99RS, supposedly an awesome head unit. If you look around in this forum I am pretty sure the guy from enfig posted a picture of one in an A4 dash. It's one of the few single DIN head units that actually looked OK. Out of my budget though, so I ride around with my Symphony II debating whether to save for an RNS-E or an aftermarket head unit (the Symphony II is the last remaining piece of my stock audio, and I hate that I have no AUX input to it).

As for the higher priced Focals being worth it over your Polks, its really a case of diminishing returns once you get past a certain point. I have Massive Audio CK6 components in my front doors, not the cheapest speakers, and far from the most expensive, do I think I would notice enough of a difference between those and a set costing twice as much in order to justify the extra expense? I personally doubt it, but you might be different. See if you can find someone local with some Focal's to listen to before spending the money.

[Guitarmageddon]

Yup, it will be exactly the same as with your A4.

I would love to have a P99RS, supposedly an awesome head unit. If you look around in this forum I am pretty sure the guy from enfig posted a picture of one in an A4 dash. It's one of the few single DIN head units that actually looked OK. Out of my budget though, so I ride around with my Symphony II debating whether to save for an RNS-E or an aftermarket head unit (the Symphony II is the last remaining piece of my stock audio, and I hate that I have no AUX input to it).

As for the higher priced Focals being worth it over your Polks, its really a case of diminishing returns once you get past a certain point. I have Massive Audio CK6 components in my front doors, not the cheapest speakers, and far from the most expensive, do I think I would notice enough of a difference between those and a set costing twice as much in order to justify the extra expense? I personally doubt it, but you might be different. See if you can find someone local with some Focal's to listen to before spending the money.

Well I see youre in NOVA....perhaps I can cut you a deal on my old RNS-E when I swap them out (after I return from my upcoming deployment in the spring).

[naiku]

Well I see youre in NOVA....perhaps I can cut you a deal on my old RNS-E when I swap them out (after I return from my upcoming deployment in the spring).

Spring would work out well for it as well if you do still have it (tax return time), will be nice as well to meet a forum member and compare systems. Stay safe on your deployment and Thank You for serving.

[Guitarmageddon]

Spring would work out well for it as well if you do still have it (tax return time), will be nice as well to meet a forum member and compare systems. Stay safe on your deployment and Thank You for serving.

Oh you can count on it, its not going anywhere til I get home. Well be in touch for sure. What would a 2007 model RNSE go for anyways?

[naiku]

What would a 2007 model RNSE go for anyways?

I think the model year makes no difference before the latest versions, but I have seen prices from $500 to $1,000, typically I think used ones go for around $700.