sync24 [Kev's] - Interior mods parts 1 & 2

[sync24]

So I'm slowly going through personal changes I want to make to the interior of my car. Hopefully this will be good read and a source of info for others considering similar mods...

First of all was a RNS-E 2010+ upgrade with a 2013 update disc along with the installation of the excellent AMI [Audi Music Interface] into the glove box [replacing the CD Muti-changer]. The brand new RNS-E was retro fitted with my old RNS-E trim prior to install so that it matched my existing interior. To go with the AMI is a HD containing all my MP3's and a suitable mini-usb to AMI cable. In addition to this is a iPhone 5 lighting to AMI cable [using a Apple convertor]. This enables direct audio out for items on the phone such as tunein radio app [Internet radio], Offline Spotify playlists, Podcasts and other other internet radio apps [such as soma.fm] - This is by far the better choice than DAB ETC but does require you to have decent data plan [I've a 10GB iPad 4 SIM] if you want to do a lot of 3G streaming - At the time these where installed, the centre console was replaced with a standard one which removed the ugly phone cradle. In addition to the centre console - the Bluetooth module [under the drivers seat for us in the UK] was upgraded to the very latest spec as my one was flaky at best and had a generic ring tone.

Next up was to source a TTRS Multi Function steering wheel with Air Bag. This took a while to find the right one and I was very specific in narrowing my search to one from a manual TTRS as the S-LINE ones are no way near as decent thickness/quality as ones from the RS range. I eventually sourced one in Europe in exclusive smooth leather - this came with various different badge recess blanking plates - I measured the RS4 badge and choose one for a RS3 as this badge was the same dimensions. The only minor niggle is the stiching which is in dark blue.This is very unnoticeable but obviously does not match the seat stitching - a small price to pay IMO.

When the wheel came through the badge recess was modified to accept the RS4 badge that I sourced from eBay - Once I was happy with a good fit the badge was Araldited into place in the SW badge recess ABS insert and left to dry overnight.

After a conversation with HazzyDays - everything was ordered and an installation date was set. The installation involved the following work:

1) Relocate sport button to dash [next to ESP button]
2) Installation of a new Avant wiper stalk with three extra buttons [These extra buttons provide the +,- & set button functionality on the original steering wheel]
3) Installation and configuration of RNS-E 3G SDS High [Speech Dialog System]
4) Existing loom modification, VCDS Coding and the installation of new the Multi Function Steering wheel

The speech dialog system is fully functional with all the satellite navigation systems as it is with telephone and was extremely good when I tested it today by speaking my destinations and finding 'special interest' places - This is far more intuitive than entering detail using the scroll wheel. The volume rocker and call answering function as per expected and I was able to scroll through and select tracks from albums stored on my HD - the only thing I was not able to do with the scroll wheel was select a different folder - this is not surprising as this functionality is designed for individual CD's. Over all I am very happy with the result and the new wheel brings the interior much more up to date than the trusty [and a little tacky] old FB SW.

Part 3 is pretty much the seats and door cards - quite what is still in the planning!

Cheers

Kev.

Rule 1. Definitely applies here!

[MB2]

Great work - be good to have volume controls on a good looking SW, neat idea to keep other functions too.

[sonny]

Looks nice, freshens up the interior. But why you relocating the sports button? irrc American style transmission consoles have the cup holder as they dont have push button starts.

[TonyHayers]

Nice one Kev - so come on, give us some figures how much did the ttrs wheel + airbag set you back? would your existing airbag not fit? looks identical.

Sonny - there's no sport button on the ttrs wheel, it's got the same functions as the MFSW iirc.

[sync24]

Looks nice, freshens up the interior. But why you relocating the sports button? irrc American style transmission consoles have the cup holder as they dont have push button starts.

Sonny - yea mate - the US style centre console did not have a push button start as the coffee cup holder was more important to the market - WTF
The sport button needs to be relocated to the dash as their is no other place for it on the TTRS Steering wheel and it's gotta be in easy reach!

[sync24]

Nice one Kev - so come on, give us some figures how much did the ttrs wheel + airbag set you back? would your existing airbag not fit? looks identical.

1. Ahem Needless to say I could have bought a decent Milly with what it cost all in. However - seeing as I spend most of the time inside the car things like this appeal to me - I want to keep it fresh hence why the RNSE upgrade, AMI & steering wheel. I just like things to look good and function properly and the steering wheel swap has absolutely nothing to do with my wife's S-LINE A1 being better specced on the gadget front that my RS4! - the seats will be next but probably over winter TBH

2. I wanted to keep the old steering wheel intact - as I intend on selling it complete and ready to fit I am sure it will get snapped up!

Cheers mate.

Kev.

[MartayMcFly]

That's pretty much exactly what I'm planning to get done in July. I'm not getting AMI though; I don't ever use my iPod and there's plenty storage on the 2 card slots. I hadn't thought about having to get the stalk swapped too for e DIS controls.

[sonny]

Sorry my bad, had a moment, I was thinking of the Start button . Shouldn't be to expensive getting the OEM sport dash button. Make sure you get one with or without the chrome line so it matches your other dash buttons (05, early 06 cars came without the chromeline).

[scaghead]

Looking good fella..

[MikeFish]

Sorry my bad, had a moment, I was thinking of the Start button . Shouldn't be to expensive getting the OEM sport dash button. Make sure you get one with or without the chrome line so it matches your other dash buttons (05, early 06 cars came without the chromeline).

Wake up Sonny, he's already done it, or were you talking to Martay now?

But you raise a very good point as I have sprayed my gearbox gaiter surround black and was wondering how to get rid of the silver on the dashboard buttons and cup holder. I forgot the older ones were different! Well done Sonny, just need to get me some of those bad boys! Was the air bag surround still silver? And what about the 2 dashes on the ashtray lid?

[andre3k]

My TTRS wheel had perforated leather if memory serves me.

Nice job anyway

[PetrolDave]

Installation and configuration of RNS-E 3G SDS High [Speech Dialog System.

Just a note - calling the 2010+ RNS-E 3G is a complete misnomer and is something that Audi have never done - it has nothing in common with MMI 3G, so using the term just increases the confusion between the RNS-E and MMI (which are TOTALLY different systems with no common hardware or software, or maps).

I know HazzyDays do it - but they're wrong do it.

[sync24]

Naughty, naughty HazzyDays - FYI everyone, I bought a '3g' capable BT module coz I thought I had a "RNS-E 3G" It's even on the invoice from HazzyDays - clearly I do not have one as the dongle I bought does not work with my setup [and PetrolDave - RNS-E 'Oracle' says so!]- so If you are thinking of getting one from http://a2dp4audi.netmagi.com/ for your upgraded RNS-E - Don't buy one as it wont work [Fortunatley, the one I have works in the wifes A1 so it wasn't a total waste of money

[sonny]

Sorry my bad, had a moment, I was thinking of the Start button . Shouldn't be to expensive getting the OEM sport dash button. Make sure you get one with or without the chrome line so it matches your other dash buttons (05, early 06 cars came without the chromeline).

Wake up Sonny, he's already done it, or were you talking to Martay now?

But you raise a very good point as I have sprayed my gearbox gaiter surround black and was wondering how to get rid of the silver on the dashboard buttons and cup holder. I forgot the older ones were different! Well done Sonny, just need to get me some of those bad boys! Was the air bag surround still silver? And what about the 2 dashes on the ashtray lid?

Its old news Mike, well certainly been known since 2007. A popular mod was to retro fit the dash Sports button with the retro fit bluetooth to act as the speech dialog button (if car is fitted with FBSW). All upper dash buttons can without chromeline. The ashtray and gear gaiter still had the chrome line regardless of age.

[MikeFish]

Thanks Sonny. I knew the buttons could come without the chrome, I had just forgotten about it until you mentioned it above. I wasn't sure about the other bits but thanks for clearing it up now.