S4Buckeye

Ordered a new RNS-E with kit from PROXXUS from Navparts.com on Audiforum.us page. I have an '05 S4 B6 Avant. Pretty simple install, needed to change out the XM tuner from A to G, swap out Symphony II for RNS-E and do the setup and some VAG coding.

Only issues:

1. FAKRA/sharkfin GPS antenna: I ran it from RNS-E to the back at Sat tuner unit but will let the dealer pull trim, etc. (major pain, hence most go with the GPS antenna behind the instrument cluster) to hide the cable away as the car is going in this week anyway for last warranty work before warranty is up.

2. Wiring harness for Bose had the "mute" problem, i.e. two yellow wires at D19 on harness (i think) had to be snipped, which I don't care as it is for phone hookup I don't use.

3. Hiss issue is present after car is off, but it goes away after a few minutes. This seems pretty common for this unit from what I have read.

4. Fault code for ZF antenna is only one present after clear and recodes. From what I have read, it is no longer used with RNS-E unit so the code will stay. No big deal.

Likes/Dislikes:

1. Sound on stock Bose setup (including speakers) with RNS-E head unit now is 10x better. No sh*t. I didn't think it would be that much better, but it is. This is worth it, imo, by itself.

2. Interface and controls are sort of dated. Spinning the **** for input is weak, as I was used to the voice Navi touchscreen in my Honda, which was much better. The input of info is not so easy, but I guess I will get used to it.

3. The "heads up" in instrument cluster is nice. Need to recode with Vag to do this.

4. SD cards. Good concept, but kind of a pain in the as* to reformat files from m4A to mp3. Sound is sweet, though, and in lieu of an IPod hookup that I like, it is nice.

5. Overall, price is worth it as the look is OEM/clean and the sound rocks w/o having to upgrade amps, speakers, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions.

DB/S4

1) Wiring is scrambled up too much, causing interference. I had this problem; ongoing hiss through speakers even with car off. I took the unit out, tucked the wires in more neatly, and the problem went away.

2) Just the mostly-quiet sound of the unit's internal fan running for a few mins after the car is shut off. It is audible. Of course, nothing will be coming from speakers due to this.

...maybe other things too, but that's what I thought of upon reading your post.

s4for5_TTfor2

1. Running the cable to the sharkfin takes all of 5-10 minutes.
Only 1 piece of the rear overhead trim gets pulled part way off, no big deal at all with excellent results.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32714/connect_to_sharkfin.jpg">
2. Bose mod is a little more than snipping a wire, access is a pain, you need to strip away some insulation and then add a jumper wire also.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32714/1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32714/3.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32714/6.jpg">
3."Hiss" for a few minutes is normal, the DVD keeps spinning in case you turn the unit back on, it will be ready to go for a few minutes after shutdown.
It will also spin the DVD back up to speed if you open the drivers door within some time interval that I don't know.
4. Fault code should NOT be there with any antenna as far as I know, I have no codes, use the sharkfin only and have the latest firmware.

DB/S4

Oh right the DVD spinning... that too. :P

S4Buckeye

1. I have an Avant. The FAKRA cable is already run from the Sharkfin to the left side rear compartment. I am talking about from that spot to the RNS-E along the left side of the car, behind the rear seat, left side lower door trims, etc.

2. What "Bose mod" are you talking about? The mute issue?

4. The ZF antenna amplifier is no longer connected with RNS-E, unless it should be? Where does it connect then? When it is unconnected you will get the fault.

Habemus Quattro

Bose mod? I didn't do anything special. Did I miss something?

FastMarkA

AFAIK. Just be happy you have some rendition of MMI and not the abomination that is BMW's iDrive! ;-)

s4for5_TTfor2

1. If the cable connector is already down from the roof then just slip it behind the trim panels up to the front. 10 minutes tops.
2. The de-Bose mod shuts down the auto volume feature that is speed, and noise level sensative and varies the volume in a bad way.
3. My RNS-E has only 2 antenna connectors? 1 for the radio and 1 for the Navi?
How could you have any open?
Did you get an antenna harness connector with your system?

S4Buckeye

I would imagine that Audi, and the other German marques could find someone to make them a similar unit to that found in Hondas since the old RNS-E is made in Japan as it is.

ClarkSJ

And about an hour of that was running the cable to the sharkfin from the unit. I got my kit from vagnavs.com.