I wanted to upgrade the aging factory stereo on my 2004 Audi, and get all the goodies that come with a 2010 car: built-in GPS navigation, Sirius Satellite, Bluetooth, MP3 playback, and multi-media capabilities. But buying a new car seemed a heavy price to pay for what amounts to a few creature comforts.
Basically I'm still quite happy with the car. I just wished there was a simple way to upgrade the electronics while still keeping the Audi factory look. Turns out there is. I upgraded my car, and you can too. And it's not as difficult as you might think.
You can have the Audi dealer do it all for around $3.500. Or you can do it yourself for around $1,400.
Nice report! I might have to do something like this on our older 07 A3.
Question about GALA though, could it BE that this is required to send data to the GPS for WAAS functionality?
No, the GALA line is only needed to provide speed sensor information to the RNS-E, which uses the data to automatically adjust the stereo volume, and estimate your location on the map during periods of brief GPS outage (such as when driving through a tunnel).
I'm not using it now, and everything is working fine. Still, I'll probably hook it up at some point just for the GPS. I don't care about volume leveling.
WAAS data is an older technology that is less precise than the newer generation of GPS receivers, and isn't really relevant any more (for PNDs, anyway).
An oldie but goodie. Unfortunately I could not justify the cost for the outdatedness of this system, and just bought a Navigon 8100. My A6 already came with the older nav, so I had known its faults, and didn't want to experience it twice over with this system. I hate anything that is not touch screen. Wastes too much time.
But now with the A8, I still use the Navigon, since it has traffic and I have updated it to have 3d buildings which it did not come with. I hacked it.
You can find writeups and sellers for the RNS-E on any Audi forum. Best places would be audiworld, quattroworld, or audizine.
Forgot to mention that I find it pathetic the RNS-E for Europe comes with TMC traffic, but the US models don't. It's a gripe I hear all auto reviewers state over and over, but the fact it they DO offer it, just not for the US model which really screwed Audi, along with that cheapas red dot matrix driver display that burns out, when they should have been using the 8 color hi-res LCD in all models.
Fletch, I beginning to think you have regrets about this retrofit. What good is a GPS without text to speech? My Magellan Roadmate 1475T with traffic is so easy to use compared to what you just described. Nonethless, a good read, beautifully photographed and a good lesson in patience and perseverance.
By the way, with so few Audi's on the (compared to Camry's)why would bother with such as an expensive retrofit?
The system does have TTS, there's just something wrong with his install. Even mine had it without this headunit screen and just the red center DIS screen with arrows and text.
The shining beauty of the system is that it fits OEM flush and does not look like a crappy retro job if you installed an aftermarket setup. Yeah the tech is outdated and slow, but it works, and adds a wow factor, along with a bigger screen. It can also play video, and can be equipped with a TV tuner which the Euro market has that this country it too butt backward to have unless you pay 3,000+ for a satelite setup.
The unit also can use 4GB SD cards for music.
Reading it again he mentions street names for TTS. It depends on the software version I think. Some people report that it sounds street names, or only certain street names. You'll just have to read the forums to find that info.
As for speed limits, I don't trust them. My 8100T says one thing on some roads compared to another thing by the sign. Anyway, Audis have a speed warning you can set in the DIS.
Actually, this new 2010 version of the RNS-E support up to 32GB SDHC cards. The 4 GB was a limit on the previous models.
He calls it a 2010, but I'm fairly certain it is a 2009 at newest. The 2010 model has a much prettier interface with a higher-resolution screen (plus I think it only comes in a different shaped faceplate that won't fit the A6).
hayden panettiere is starring in the next scream movie...i can't wait!!!
Hi,
thanks for the great write up...
what did you do with the old stereo.. mine just stopped working (03 A6 Avant)...do you still have it?
thanks,
ak
Just Thanks for this info, it saved me a lot of time!
Frank (Netherlands)
Thanks for the excellent write-up and pictures!