Has anyone 'upgraded' to the 2010+ RNSe?

[Firestarter]

I've heard that the CAN wires need to be run in order for the new AMI to function properly, not sure if this is so.

All the wires needed by the AMI are already at the RNS-E, and from some eBay sellers (and other places) you can by a ready made cable.

Go for the 2010+ RNS-E plus AMI.

Dave
For my numptyness sanity are you saying that if I was to purchase a 2010+ RNS-E plus AMI I could simply swap over, plug in and not have to provide any other cables etc for it all to work? I have VCDS but not quite sure what I would need to reprogram if at all?

[PetrolDave]

RNSe (even the later versions) surely only support one or the other via the software? AMI goes into the glove box location where the CD changer lives in any case

That's two different points:
1) the 2010+ RNS-E CAN support (electrically and in software) both CD changer and AMI - I've tried it and it works.
2) You're right that physically there's no room for both AMI and CD changer in the glove box, but that doesn't stop you using an Aux In to CD changer adapter and having both AMI and Aux In (which is not possible "the Audi way" as they both use the same audio inputs into the RNS-E).

[PetrolDave]

are you saying that if I was to purchase a 2010+ RNS-E plus AMI I could simply swap over, plug in and not have to provide any other cables etc for it all to work? I have VCDS but not quite sure what I would need to reprogram if at all?

No I'm not saying that at all - I'm saying that all the signals you need for AMI already exist at the RNS-E - but that's not the same as saying it's plug'n'play.

What it means is that you don't need to run wires from the AMI to anywhere other than the RNS-E, but you need to buy/make the AMI to RNS-E wiring.

[pDkALO]

1) the 2010+ RNS-E CAN support (electrically and in software) both CD changer and AMI - I've tried it and it works.

Interesting - I did not know that.

What it means is that you don't need to run wires from the AMI to anywhere other than the RNS-E, but you need to buy/make the AMI to RNS-E wiring.

Not sure you even need to do that nowadays Dave - virtually all new ones I've ever seen (such as current eBay item 111179619933) include the RNSe to AMI loom

[pDkALO]

I've heard that the CAN wires need to be run in order for the new AMI to function properly, not sure if this is so.

All the wires needed by the AMI are already at the RNS-E, and from some eBay sellers (and other places) you can by a ready made cable.

Go for the 2010+ RNS-E plus AMI.

Thank you much, before I make an ebay purchase does anyone know of any sellers that already have swapped the faceplates over?

It's better value to do it yourself if you have access to VCDS and a set of small screwdrivers: buy an A3 193 spec RNSe on eBay for around £400, swap the faceplate from the RS in an hour or so, recode it thru VCDS for use in an A4, plug it in and grin at the lovely high res screen and thousands of music tracks you've now got on SD cards, then go back indoors, fit the A3 faceplate onto the old RNSe, recode it for an A3 and sell it on eBay for around £250.

Job done.

[PetrolDave]

What it means is that you don't need to run wires from the AMI to anywhere other than the RNS-E, but you need to buy/make the AMI to RNS-E wiring.

Not sure you even need to do that nowadays Dave - virtually all new ones I've ever seen (such as current eBay item 111179619933) include the RNSe to AMI loom

Many eBay listings now include the cable - you're still buying the cable as they won't be giving it away for free

[PetrolDave]

It's better value to do it yourself if you have access to VCDS and a set of small screwdrivers: buy an A3 193 spec RNSe on eBay for around £400, swap the faceplate from the RS in an hour or so, recode it thru VCDS for use in an A4, plug it in and grin at the lovely high res screen and thousands of music tracks you've now got on SD cards, then go back indoors, fit the A3 faceplate onto the old RNSe, recode it for an A3 and sell it on eBay for around £250.

Job done.

+1

[JoeyManhattan]

The problem I have just encountered is that the vastly available Nav units are not the USA models, which I need in order to utilize the US Nav discs....Looks like it is going to be a hunt to get the proper Nav unit.

[armyair]

Yup, just waiting for an SDS variant to come up and then I shall be installing the collection of electrical stuff now sitting on my desk.

Dave - have you tried running your AMI and CD changer together? I'm a little reluctant to go fully over to MP3.

They both work fine in my RS6 with a 2010+ RNS-E fitted.

My Bluetooth loom is from a B7 model and so I wouldn't imagine the B7 would be any different to a RS6!!???

[PetrolDave]

The problem I have just encountered is that the vastly available Nav units are not the USA models, which I need in order to utilize the US Nav discs....Looks like it is going to be a hunt to get the proper Nav unit.

Try contacting the member Haaggie on audiforum.us - he normally has the US units available.