Ulfilias Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Hi Guys, I pick up a new (to me) Audi S8 today. Silver with black leather. Dec 2000 model with a PRINS lpg conversion (about the only way to run a big car these days). I know from the test drive it has an old sat nav - Navigation Plus or something. Been reading and its seems a little poor...No Cameras, No Post Codes, No personal POIs (lpg stations)....Mind you it even seems the later ones are lacking these ! I'm used to a Kenwood stereo in my BMW, which i was in the midst of upgrading to either a KVT-729 or 829 - Both have sat-nav with map updates, cameras and pois. Link to Ipods(xmusic would do that) and also have facilities for my Phatbox (i know the audi could do that bit with the right cable) However the Unit is a single din....even double dins would need a facia - Can that be done ??? It seems the only down side with the kenwood is not linking to the DIS...but i'm not sure the later RNE-E will do that anyway and i don't have it in my old car....so probably won't miss it. Any comments, ideas or whatever...particularly a source for a facia ? Thanks, Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Hi Lee, Explore the RNS-E upgrade. It is seriously awesome, and really does improve the sound of the BOSE system incredibly. The RNS-D was good, but the 'E is significantly better The only thing that doesn't link to the DIS, are the directional updates, so you don't see junction information in the DIS. Everything else links very nicely into the DIS :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Is this a straight swap with no extra work? (Not an auto-electrician) If so, how much and where can I get one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulfilias Posted March 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Hi Tony, What does the E do over the D ??? Cameras and LPG station custome POIs are still a No. Do you get CD text - IE phatbox titles/ipod tracks Are all E's the same. I see quite a few on ebay, but mainly for 4's & 6's (no 8's ATM). Are there any actual differences ??? I'm still tempted to ditch the system completely and just grab an after market one. Only the look / intergration with the DIS is putting me off. Although the car is mine. I doubt i'll be selling it anytime soon so resale value will be negligable anyway and i typicaly keep the stereo (i doubt the D has much ebay value anyway) Do you know if the current system has amplification seperate to the head unit then and if so where.... I'd also like to map out the speakers as i have a nice pair of McIntosh Components that i may swap in ! Thanks, Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 The E offers: 3D mapping SD Card slots (2) CD Text You don't get custom POI's although the grouping of POI's is, in my opinion, quite logical. You'd need an 'E for an A6, as you have to trim down the fascia plate, there is a 'how-to' on here, and it can be a bit of a lengthy job (took Shark_90 a little while) but if you're patient, and purchase the Kufatec harnesses, the time can be significantly reduced If you've got BOSE then the amp is in one of two places. Either under the rear parcel shelf, or under the TV tuner on the left side of the boot Your McIntosh components, should slip in quite nicely :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 Is the RNS-D to RNS-E a straight swap with no extra work? i.e. just pull the unit out swap the plugs over and slide it back in. If so, how much and where can I get one? I've seen the retro fit website of one member but I don't really want to spend a grand on this upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulfilias Posted March 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hi There, Cougar. I belive the A6 or A4 versions are slightly too big round the facia and as such need some fine fettling work with a dremel. I'd guess most the connections/connectors are the same though. The problem with the E for me is that it still has most of the D's inherant weaknesses. No POI's, No Speed Cameras. No DIS intergration (although i'm getting less fussed about this. You can retrofit a bluetooth module, though its not cheap. You can add an Ipod (about a £100 for 3rd party xlink or something). You can add a phatbox. Looking at 3rd Party solutions, you can intergrate with the BOSE system with autoleads PC9-408 Car Stereo Fitting Kits - Audi A8 I think i'd also probably need an ariel adaptor (PC5-90), although i'm almost tempted to try an find a blanking plug or something and loose the micky mouse old style stick and find a diversity one - I think it spoils the line of most cars and i got used to the lack of one on my old BMW. I think the big problem in installing an aftermarket stereo in the A8/S8 when a RNS-D has been fitted is finding some form of facia adaptor....I don't think the origional owners of a8/s8's would have bothered and now they are a fairly rare beast and as such no one seems to make anything for it. I'm just wondering what a4/a6 or similar adaptors exist out there and can be trimmed down to fit - although i guess if the E is bigger and needs trimming, the adaptors will be too small ! Has anyone actualy fitted anything but the E ??? cya, Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulfilias Posted March 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hi there, <a href="20032009751 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!" title="20032009751 by ulfilias, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/3378390071_0771bf9ac2_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="20032009751" /></a> Is that the bose bit ??? (and the top of the LPG tank) <a href="20032009754 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!" title="20032009754 by ulfilias, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3379210792_1296e8c8da_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="20032009754" /></a> Thats the TV/sat nav and CD changer. The whole car needs a good valet or something. The guy's work had a car park in a pit and its a bit covered in dust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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