Aftermarket Navigation for S4

[rzundel]

What is the best aftermarket navigation system to put in a B6 S4 or is that even possible if it didn't come with Nav to begin with? Where does it go?

[AudiXS4X01]

im happy with my Pioneer Avic-D3

[AudiloverS4]

im happy with my Pioneer Avic-D3

so am I.

[d94]

love my d3 aswell

[Buegie]

Where does it go?

Replaces your radio I think I'll go with the D3 this time around as well

[kloover]

I know you said "aftermarket", but a *TON* of people install the Audi RNS-E nav unit which is a direct swap and looks factory.

[hot2trots4]

I know you said "aftermarket", but a *TON* of people install the Audi RNS-E nav unit which is a direct swap and looks factory.

I agree. The factory NAV units look so much nicer on an Audi. Most aftermarket units cheapen the car IMO.

[joeycuccaro]

RNS-E hands down. Nothing else compares.

[rzundel]

I know you said "aftermarket", but a *TON* of people install the Audi RNS-E nav unit which is a direct swap and looks factory.

Where is the best place to get the Audi RNS-E nav unit? Does in include the radio and cd changer?

[likewater]

The RNS-E may have a better factory appearance, but it doesn't compare to the AVIC in terms of features.

[amremt]

I too have been looking at the avic d3 and was wondering if those of you who have it would be nice enough to elaborate on the features i.e. sub output etc. I read a review on cnet and they pretty much bashed the navigation b/c you can only use one audio source at a time. I would love to see some pics of it installed in the s4 and also wondered if you can make the display buttons appear in red so that it blends in with the dash. Thanks in advance

[UGwagen]

I too have been looking at the avic d3 and was wondering if those of you who have it would be nice enough to elaborate on the features i.e. sub output etc. I read a review on cnet and they pretty much bashed the navigation b/c you can only use one audio source at a time. I would love to see some pics of it installed in the s4 and also wondered if you can make the display buttons appear in red so that it blends in with the dash. Thanks in advance

Cnet bashed it for having a single DVD slot only in lieu of a dedicated Nav slot and a dedicated CD/DVD slot-- it's not a big deal as cnet makes it out to be.

It does have memory navigation (where it loads the route into memory) --- I can't remember the last time I listened to a CD. I have a Ipod for music as well as XM radio (and XM Nav traffic).

and yes, you can change the color of the backlighting of the buttons to make it red.

[likewater]

Cnet bashed it for having a single DVD slot only in lieu of a dedicated Nav slot and a dedicated CD/DVD slot-- it's not a big deal as cnet makes it out to be.

It does have memory navigation (where it loads the route into memory) --- I can't remember the last time I listened to a CD. I have a Ipod for music as well as XM radio (and XM Nav traffic).

and yes, you can change the color of the backlighting of the buttons to make it red.

Exactly. I have NEVER used the CD slot. The D3 has a perfect integration of the Ipod, you even have the same user interface from your Ipod on the touch screen of the D3. As mentioned, XM Nav traffic is awesome as well, it has re-routed me several times and saved me a lot of headaches. Another feature you won't see on the RNS-E is the reverse camera option. BTW, even without adding subs etc, this unit really wakes up the stock Bose sound system. I couldn't believe the difference in sound quality when I put it in. There's a ton of other cool features this thing offers, too many to list here but trust me, it's worth it to check it out. There may be newer versions of this thing out there now for about the same price too.

Here's a pic of my installed.

[b00st]

im happy with my Pioneer Avic-D3

+5

[ginkof]

the audi OEM nav system looks awesome for a factory option... i really want to get the Kenwood DNX-8120. The display can look kind of cheesy but the system itself is awesome. I've read only good things about it... I haven't used one before but 2 different friends of mine have the 7120 older model and its awesome! i can only imagine that it would be improved over the older one. If i get a radio/dvd/nav system for my car its going to be the 8120 without a doubt!

[Tiesto]

The D3 might have a ton of cool options but one thing it can't do is display nav info through the DIS display in the cluster LCD screen, one of my favorite features of the navi.

[RAudi Driver]

Exactly. I have NEVER used the CD slot. The D3 has a perfect integration of the Ipod, you even have the same user interface from your Ipod on the touch screen of the D3. As mentioned, XM Nav traffic is awesome as well, it has re-routed me several times and saved me a lot of headaches. Another feature you won't see on the RNS-E is the reverse camera option. BTW, even without adding subs etc, this unit really wakes up the stock Bose sound system. I couldn't believe the difference in sound quality when I put it in. There's a ton of other cool features this thing offers, too many to list here but trust me, it's worth it to check it out. There may be newer versions of this thing out there now for about the same price too.

Here's a pic of my installed.

That looks great!

[sotirakis]

got my avic for $500 after a $200 mail in rebate. couldn't pass it up and it's great. navigation isn't the best feature about it, but it's pretty accurate.

[Stormin]

The D-3 is one of the best out there if you don't want to install the factory RNS-E.

[likewater]

That looks great!

Thank you sir.

[coldfusion9xx]

Kenwood DNX 5120
Cost 710 and has the garmin navi

[gsxtrip]

Pioneer has a new model AVICF90BT I have installed 5 of them in the last month and have been very impressed. It comes with parrot blutooth, and an ipod video cable. Both of these functions can also be voice activated. This unit also does not require a nav disc anymore. Update maps through sd slot on the front. My only complaint is the unit has a slow start up time, i think mostly because of the voice recognition. Unit is priced around 1200.00

[NYCS4Avant]

Can those of you who have either the D-3 or RNS-E speak as to how you have gone about integrating your iPod/iPhone into your setups. I'm in the market for a Nav setup and am very interested in functionality and aesthetics of the available options. RNS-E wins hands down on aesthetics, but could easily be topped be better features (DVD player, bluetooth, etc).

[gsxtrip]

The only problem I have run into using an iphone with aftermarket equipment is that you have to turn the phone into airplane mode to use it as an ipod, at that point you can no longer use the phone portion. Both functions will work great but are independent. I have never worked with RNS-E units

[likewater]

Just wanted to update those that may be interested in the AVIC D3, it has now been replaced by the AVIC-F900BT.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...sh/AVIC-F900BT

[Kvn22]

I'm selling a brand new RNS-E from my brand new 2008 TT coupe. $800.00 shipped

[40valve]

D3 has a built-in iPod controller right?

[SCWells72]

Can those of you who have either the D-3 or RNS-E speak as to how you have gone about integrating your iPod/iPhone into your setups. I'm in the market for a Nav setup and am very interested in functionality and aesthetics of the available options. RNS-E wins hands down on aesthetics, but could easily be topped be better features (DVD player, bluetooth, etc).

I have the RNS-E in my B6 S4 and an iPhone 3G. For Bluetooth hands-free phone, the RNS-E (plus the Bluetooth module, which is sold separately) works great. For music playback, the options are slim right now. There are a few options that let you connect iPods/iPhones, but none that do so with good text (artist/title) integration, and I think most don't power the iPhone 3G while connected. Evidently Dice has a new connector coming out in April that should do all of this, though.

Right now I just use the integrated SD card slots to hold 4GB of MP3s and it's all integrated with the nav screen, DIS, and steering wheel controls. Not as nice as a first-class iPhone integration, but not bad at all!

[dascsh]

I habe the Avic Z2 in my S4. The additional features over a RNS-E made it an easy decision. I use my GPS a ton for work, so having the XM Nav Traffic feature that shows highway traffic and a touchscreen for input was important for me.



I had an Avic-D3 in my A4 and it was a great unit as well.

[iconoclast]

RNS-E hands down. Nothing else compares.

agreed. even if its just for fit and finish alone...

[GrandMarkie]

Had the Pioneer D3, but upgraded to the Kenwood 8120. Overall a much better unit IMO:

[Justchill30]

in all honesty I dont see why everyone is so afraid of installing a carputer. Head over to mp3car.com and read up a bit on there forums. Build a carputer that fits into a double din case with touchscreen for way less than a avic. It does everything..everything. As soon as I turn my car on it comes out of standby. I can update it from my wireless home network. I download movies to my 250Gb hard drive in my carputer as I sleep. I have navi with streetview, turn by turn, traffic update (XM or serious). I also have Serious rad. along with HD radio. Internet in the car (wifi and 3G), backup cam, forward view cam with 96 min buffer, OBD2 control (displays all diagnostic info and trouble codes which I can clear if I choose). I also have a fusion brain which tells me my acceleration times and est. horsepower, 1/4 mi., 0-60, lat. G's, ect... it also controls my climate inside the car and car alarm. Obv. bluetooth through the speakers and I video conf. from the drivers seat. and much much more. the list is truly infinite. My setup so far including my 8" touchscreen is about $950 many of my parts I have traded for or purchased used through forums and such (ebay)

[40valve]

in all honesty I dont see why everyone is so afraid of installing a carputer. Head over to mp3car.com and read up a bit on there forums. Build a carputer that fits into a double din case with touchscreen for way less than a avic. It does everything..everything. As soon as I turn my car on it comes out of standby. I can update it from my wireless home network. I download movies to my 250Gb hard drive in my carputer as I sleep. I have navi with streetview, turn by turn, traffic update (XM or serious). I also have Serious rad. along with HD radio. Internet in the car (wifi and 3G), backup cam, forward view cam with 96 min buffer, OBD2 control (displays all diagnostic info and trouble codes which I can clear if I choose). I also have a fusion brain which tells me my acceleration times and est. horsepower, 1/4 mi., 0-60, lat. G's, ect... it also controls my climate inside the car and car alarm. Obv. bluetooth through the speakers and I video conf. from the drivers seat. and much much more. the list is truly infinite. My setup so far including my 8" touchscreen is about $950 many of my parts I have traded for or purchased used through forums and such (ebay)

I've had it in my previous car.
There is not a whole lot of interest in this community for those types of projects. Majority is very scared and the rest not interested. Seems like people are having trouble removing their floor mats so I don't see them doing a custom CarPC build.
I'd like to see what you did with yours.

[akitamike]

Can someone show a picture of the RNS-E unit. Does the RNS-E show turn by turn directions through the middle instrument cluster, does it have a plug in on the front of the unit for your ipod (or does it run through a cable from the back of the unit that you can put in the glovebox) , and does RNS-E "wake up" the Bose system like someone on this thread said the D3 unit did. What functions do you get with an aftermarket that are not available on the RNS-E? Where do most people get the RNS-E unit? Lastly, is the RNS-E a touch screen for input, b/c someone said they needed a "touchscreen for input" and that's whey they went for the Avic Z2? Thanks.

[Justchill30]

If I get a chance to stop by the storage place, I will snap a few photos as my C36AMG is in storage for the winter. I am not lucky enough to have quatro quite yet, although I am in the market for an B6 S4 as soon as I find a good deal and have some extra cash. In the mean time I would head on over to mp3car.com, as that is the quintessential car computer site and forum.

[40valve]

Does this work OK with Pioneer/B6? Steering wheel controls are not a necessity to me but if that works flawlessly I wouldn't mind retaining them.

@akitamike: RNS-E for best fitment and looks but limited functionality. Aftermarket for more functionality but it will not look as good as factory unit. RNS-E doesn't have a touchscreen.

[jadedj]

Do the steering wheel controls work with an aftermarket nav?

[wathieme]

I recently swapped an RNS E into my 2005 S4 and am supper happy with it. All of the steering wheel controls work and you can get turn by turn directions in the instrument cluster as well as current street and heading. It does not have a touch screen. The OEM quality and styling really sold me. If you want aux input, backup camera, etc there are adapters you can get from companies like Kufatec that are plug and play (plus some vag com codding). I've got mine setup with video input and video in motion. It works great. I'd defiantly recommend the RNS E over aftermarket units.
Here's a couple shots of my unit:
Instrument cluster directions


Nav screen

RNSE has split view guidance with highway and intersection views




I got mine from an Audizine member through the classifieds, it's a good place to start looking if you want to go OEM.
PM me if you have any questions

[PetrolDave]

Do the steering wheel controls work with an aftermarket nav?

Not with all of them, and normally only if you buy an adapter.