RNS-E AMI Upgrade

[CharlieD]

Just installed a mk2 RNSE from a TT and swapped the faceplates etc myself, all is working great and looks OEM. Just happy to have satnav with working TMC finally haha.

I'm also wondering if it's possible to keep both my cd changer and a new AMI unit connected at the same time?

Haven't bought the AMI or Tune2Air unit yet, and I'm wondering if anyone can explain what the deal is exactly regarding cables? Looking at the kufatec cable, it looks like it intercepts the existing plug and the socket in the back of the unit. Is this the case for OEM cables also?

Why did some people go with an OEM lead for connecting AMI to the RNSE and others go for the kufatec one?

Also, what does SDS stand for?

[Damianos]

Hi!

Bringing this up again, as i'm the same position as Charlie above. I have upgraded to a 2010+ RNS-E and now looking to also fit the AMI. Could anyone suggest a link to a good unit, as there are a few on eBay but i'm not sure which one to get.

Thanks,

Damien

[8utters]

Hi there, I have the AMI kit in mine and it's OK, but I've got an iPhone and am a Spotify user - support is patchy, some bits work, others don't. I also note that bluetooth is problematic, may be related to the screen locking and killing BT connectivity to the RNSE. If you're using Apple Music then I guess it's going to work well for you.

Previous owner installed AMI kit in the glovebox, I've got an AMI->USB lead and an AMI->30-pin Apple cable, I already had an official 30-pin to Lightning adaptor which works well clipped on the end of the AMI lead.

[Damianos]

Thanks for the tip. I actually use Apple music hopefully it will work properly. Another question, does this support also phone calls or it's only for music.

Damien

[8utters]

...Apple music looks to be flawless, didn't test it much as I don't use it, but it seemed to work just fine, skip/back buttons and track data in the DIS etc..

Bluetooth for me has been less-than-ideal and unless I get a fix for it, I'll be selling the RNSE-3G and going for something like a Pioneer F88-DAB (with carplay).
I find it connects fine, but it's looking like when the screen goes to sleep, the BT signal is dropped. The car is at the local bodyshop so I can't test, but will confirm once I know if changing the screen lock timer has any effect.

[CharlieD]

Well, I’ve got the AMI and tune2air in.

iPhone 8+
Spotify App for music, playing via Bluetooth “tune2air”.

Firstly the music sound quality is perfect, very happy with that, however...

The last few times i tried, my RNS-E didn’t recognise that my phone was connected, despite the fact that i can see on my iPhone that it’s connected to the tune2air. The AMI option in the Media Source screen is just greyed out.

I have to resort to unplugging the tune2air unit and plugging it back in whilst playing a song on Spotify to get it going. Strangely after listening to music while driving and I park up and return to my car after a short break it picks up the connection and resumes music again just fine, might have to keep a note on how long i can leave the car ignition off before it forgets how to pull music off my phone.

Also the track info doesnt pass through consistently... usually i see the first track on the playlist then the rest of the list just shows “Spotify”

Anyone know of a fix?

[Jon_J]

Hmmmm

I don't have these issues, I have the AMI with Tune2Air WMa3000. Occasional I have had connectivity issues particularly if I stop the car briefly and then start it again after being in a Shop. It seems if you go through the 'normal steps of starting the car (unlock, get in, start) it connects but does sometimes get confused. That seems to be Bluetooth technology though. It's not enough for me to not use it or find it irritating.

The sound quality is excellent and the functionality from iMusic from the RNSE2 is great. For Spotify I have to select music from the phone but that's to be expected, it's the iPhone cable designed for iPhones.

The AMI can be installed along side the CD changer however they both sit in the same part of the glove box. You would need to leave the CD changer where it is and bring the AMI cable into the glovebox from behind, You couldn't use the whole AMI box but that's no big deal.

Regarding the Kufatec vs the OEM connection, you are correct the Kufatec interfaces with the existing quadlock, this is not an issue but not how it is done form factory. Also if you were to add later a Kufatec harness for say Bluetooth, you could end up with a quadlock plugged into another quadlock and then the oem quadlock. Again nothing wrong with this and it will function but looks a little messy if you're a purist.

[HYFR]

You can get a £50 BT audio adaptor that plugs right into the quad lock and the Rnse sees it as a CD player, so allows you to skip tracks etc.

No need for a mk2 Rnse and AMI !


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[Jon_J]

Mk2 RNSE with AMI allows you to access your playlists artist songs from the RNSE. No need to touch the phone once in the car. No Bluetooth addition, particularly through the Cd connector that gives you the control through the RNSE like the full AMI.


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[HYFR]

For the cost difference?!


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[ChrisW]

We're getting to the stage now where the latest options from Pioneer (F88-DAB) & Alpine with carplay/android auto etc, with a decent faceplate far outweigh the OEM 2012 RNSE units, especially when factoring in costs.

[Jon_J]

Yes they do. Depends what you are after. If you want OEM. Then RNSE2 is the way to go.

If you don’t care about OEM then definitely change the unit and gain loads of functionality.



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[CharlieD]

Until i see an aftermarket unit that integrates fully with my car (e.g. shows nav info in my dash screen etc) and doesn’t make my centre console look tacky, I’m sticking with my mk2 RNS-E

By the way (sorry if off topic), dunno if this has been discussed before, does the mk2 rns-e support the optical parking sensor mode in the b7 rs4 without any swaps of parking modules etc? See pic below in case I’m unclear

[Jon_J]

Until i see an aftermarket unit that integrates fully with my car (e.g. shows nav info in my dash screen etc) and doesn’t make my centre console look tacky, I’m sticking with my mk2 RNS-E

By the way (sorry if off topic), dunno if this has been discussed before, does the mk2 rns-e support the optical parking sensor mode in the b7 rs4 without any swaps of parking modules etc? See pic below in case I’m unclear

I’ve just had the OEM reverse camera fitted to mine. I asked at the time and was told not without changing the sensors and module.


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[ChrisW]

The new Pioneer is very close in aesthetics to an RNSE, I think by choosing the OEM setup you are losing out on so much functionality simply to keep it "factory". In my youth I was heavily into the VW scene where OEM is king, but even I cant see any outweighing advantage of an RNSE/AMI/bluetooth module setup over an £800 Pioneer or Alpine effort other than "looks".

Of course it is each to their own at the end of the day and I'm far from criticising you for your decisions, I just hate the idea of someone spending nearly double for less functionality.