B7 Navi unit swap

[saintv90]

Hey has anyone done the swap from the cd\tape unit to the navigation unit on a 06 B7? Is it difficult? What would a dealer charge to do this? How much is just the unit. I tried searching but didn't find anything. Thanks!

[peta8368]

if you get a nav-plus unit plus harness and satellite antenna, it takes about 30 minutes to replace. You can get complete kits from www.navplus.us, or you may get lucky with good deals on ebay, but you would be taking your chances on ebay.

I got mine off of ebay for about 1300(complete kit), and that was about 2 years ago. The unit should be a lot more available now, but with the weakening USD, i'm not sure how the price is affected.


You can find install guides on navplus.us as well, so you should start by reading there.


Peter

[B6QTRO]

if you get a nav-plus unit plus harness and satellite antenna, it takes about 30 minutes to replace. You can get complete kits from www.navplus.us, or you may get lucky with good deals on ebay, but you would be taking your chances on ebay.

I got mine off of ebay for about 1300(complete kit), and that was about 2 years ago. The unit should be a lot more available now, but with the weakening USD, i'm not sure how the price is affected.


You can find install guides on navplus.us as well, so you should start by reading there.


Peter

X2 a very simple straight forward swap, do a search for Proxus he usually has them available.

[saintv90]

Thanks Guys!!

[DownUnderSLine]

Are the nav units the same for each part or the world ? I mean, one from Germany for example can be configured to use english in the use interface, map data loaded for the specific region etc....

[TSlice]

Yes, the hardware is slightly different, but you can configure the software of any RNS-E to work for your region as long as you get the correct unit for your car. Read more about this at www.navplus.us

[Ski DraGoN]

I need to do this mod as well. Ebay sometimes has OEM units around $1000.

[AudiWxGuy]

If you get a euro unit, you need to flash it with US Firmware. Once again, you can read more on that at navplus.us or go to www.nsxjr.com and he can help you with just about anything you need. Including the sale. He did mine.

[initiala4]

Its pretty simple and straight forward. Takes roughly 30mins to do everything including connecting the harness. Also if you want the center display to work you need vagcom.

[greenhornet]

The most difficult part is to remove the original radio. I did it one month ago and I was ready to return the RSN-E and find other options, until I got a handy 4" spatula and place it in between the radio and the console and just lever without a lot of effort. Remember to put the keys first. Then the GPS antenna was placed on the center of the dash board and ran the wires between the glass and the dash. After adding the adapter harness, just connect the unit and test it before pushing it back. I installed a bluetooth parrot 3000 evolution kit and it took me one minute to remove the radio. Everything else is very easy. Remember to wrap the harness in a light cloth of not after time some raddle noise will come out of there and will need to remove the radio again. Total Time I estimate 20 min. I got my unit from Vagnav and no problems. Good support too.

[RichTJ99]

How did you run the wiring to the back? Or did you just leave the GPS on the dash?

Is pulling the RNS-E easy to do with the keys? Do you use all 4 keys at the same time?

The most difficult part is to remove the original radio. I did it one month ago and I was ready to return the RSN-E and find other options, until I got a handy 4" spatula and place it in between the radio and the console and just lever without a lot of effort. Remember to put the keys first. Then the GPS antenna was placed on the center of the dash board and ran the wires between the glass and the dash. After adding the adapter harness, just connect the unit and test it before pushing it back. I installed a bluetooth parrot 3000 evolution kit and it took me one minute to remove the radio. Everything else is very easy. Remember to wrap the harness in a light cloth of not after time some raddle noise will come out of there and will need to remove the radio again. Total Time I estimate 20 min. I got my unit from Vagnav and no problems. Good support too.

[peta8368]

the EU unit actually is identical to US units except the words on one of the buttons. I am not 100% certain, but I believe EU units flashed to US firmware behaves just like US units.

My unit is EU flashed to US firmware, and accepted update dvd without any problem (you pop it in, it updates the firmware. after that's done, you have new map and/or new features depending on what the new DVD contains)

removing the radio/rns-e is quite easy with the correct radio key. Basically, you stick the 4 radio keys into the 4 slots, they each click into place, then you pull gently, and the radio/nav slides right out. The unit is about 5 lbs or so, and the way it mounts makes it want to slide in. So you will need to apply enough force to lift a 5lb object. Most kits you get should come with wiring harness, radio antenna adapter and gps antenna, so it's completely plug and play.

My unit is actually up for sale now (i have decided to turn the a4 in after lease is up since maintenance in the long run will cost me a fortune) I will take some pictures of the removal process and post them in a day or two. If anyone is interested in the unit, PM me and we can talk.


Peter

[ecks618]

I actually wanted to do this too but I am a little confused about the GPS antenna. Does it need to be wired to the back of the cluster or does the B7 have everything already there.

[AudiWxGuy]

You'll put it up under the dash. Works just fine there.

[VZWalex]

I have mine in the dash behind the instrument cluster .. works fine. Simple swap took like 20-30mins max.

[greenhornet]

I left the antenna in the middle of the dashboard. It doesn't look bad. It always get 7 to 8 satellite signals. Yes you need all 4 keys. When gently pulling the key they keys come off, put them back and use the spatula method. It doesn't hurt the car or unit. Run the GPS wire between the dashboard and windshield. Doing it for the first time it may take a 3 or 4 minutes. Everything else is plug and play. If you need help I will be glad to help.
! ! ! YOU CAN DO IT ! ! !

[greenhornet]

Hey AudiWxGuy
What kind of bluetooth you have? Audi factory or other? I installed parrot 3000 and have some issues.

[Kid Red]

I will be switching out my tape deck for a NAV soon as I get my hands on one.

So, removing the radio is a snap, done it twice for my Dice ipod connection, but my concern is running the gps to the shark fin, no one is doing that? Also, don't you have to vag something (I have the red display) first or the unit won't work and if so, what's the vag code?

From navparts, WTF is video in motion? And how do I then go about adding Sat radio, HD radio and/or Bluetooth?

[peta8368]

you do not NEED to run the gps antenna to the shark fin, that is just where the stock antenna is. However, to get there, you will need to remove part of the headliner and some pillar cover. all plug and play kits should come with a separate antenna with a magnet. You can find plenty of location under the dash to put the antenna, just make sure it's somewher NEAR the top, not down low by your foot or something.

I have my antenna by the fuse box, so it's easy to get to and easy to mount.

RNS-E disables video signal while the car is in motion, therefore you can't drive and let the passenger watch movies. "video in motion" by pass something(i think the speed sensor) therefore rns-e does not cut off the video signal while your car is moving.

sat radio and blue tooth both require extra pins on the wiring harness. so when you get your kit, the seller should specify (or let you choose) what type of harness it comes with. I BELIEVE you have 4 variations: nav only, nav + sat radio, nav + bt, and of course nav + sat radio + bt

Also, the radio keys do not pop out if you use the correct ones. audi radio keys have a slot that locks in when you push it into the radio/nav unit. After you pull the unit off, you need to press a tab for each of the keys to release it. I will get more pictures for it tomorrow.


Peter