Sat Nav Plus Features

[reserves]

I'm considering installing this, there are so many things to think about that I really wanted some peoples views on using it / installing it.

I know I need to buy:

Sat Nav Plus (8D0 035 192 E)
Double din cage.
TMC gateway (£200 + !)
Double din fascia
Various other connectors / pins

i'm planning to hook my iPod video up to the screen, what will the quality be like?

What other options do I have in terms of RNS-E etc. I like the OEM look so I know there are problems getting this to fit in the dash exactly.

Bit of a ramble post, sorry, just so much information to try to get my head around.

I digress, this looks like it'll cost about £600-800. My question is, is it worth it? I already have SAT NAV III, which is ok, but a bit basic.

Rich

[ChipHazzard]

You will need to fit the A6 version of the RNS-E and trim the face, PM craigyb he can help you

[reserves]

I was thinking of installing the Sat Nav Plus that came as an original option for the B5. I'm happy to consider the RNS-E, some info in this thread http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... 586#136586

[Dippy]

I installed Sat Nav + with TV (including AV inputs and additional LCD monitors) and TMC for about 1 grand. This was a LOT of effort finding the parts (mostly off German ebay) and also quite a lot of effort to install. Like you I started with basic Sat Nav, although really this had little advantage to me because I needed to run cables for the TV.

Since you have basic Sat Nav then you have a GPS cable already run. So if you DON'T want TV, but DO already have a CD changer mounted in the rear then you won't need to run cables. You still do need to do a lot of work because you need the double DIN cage, and also you need to buy a new climate controller (which are not cheap and used ones are hard to find).

With RNS-E being quite popular, and the fact that the A6 one can be adapted for our cars (if I had known this when I did my project I would have taken that route), maybe getting the Sat Nav + heads for the B5 is easier (I got one from an A6 and changed the facsia but I was VERY lucky to find a brand new B5 fascia on e-bay) and cheaper now.

I understand that the RNS-E from the A6 is almost a good fit for the B5. It is not exact, so you would need to decide for yourself. Craigyb does a VERY good deal for these so I suggest you contact him and get some photos.

[reserves]

Hey Dippy, thanks for the info, very useful.

I'm not sure I will be 100% happy with the fit & colour match, though it's all a choice



I wonder if this an A6 version of RNS-E?

I don't really want a TV tuner (well not for the cost/hassle) and already have a CD changer.

My plan would be to buy an add on unit that allows me to run all music through my iPod but ALSO play video through it, there are video-in boxes I believe that allow me to do this without the TV Tuner.

What are the general advantages of RNS-E over Sat Nav Plus, apart from being a more modern unit?

I've seen some posts concerning a bluetooth add on for a phone, this would be very useful. Is this quite easy to add with RNS-E?

Also is there an iPod add on for the RNS-E that allows track names etc?

Does Craigyb supply the equipment or just install? I think I'm gonna try to install myself.

Getting a non heated seat double din climate control module is gonna be a pain methinks.

Questions, questions! Cheers, Rich

[reserves]

Talking to myself....

Can someone please let me know exactly which A6 RNS-E version I would need? Is it a case of the newer the better? I've seen some on eBay with flip down screens etc. they all have different part numbers!

[ChipHazzard]

Rich

AFAIK all the RNS-E units have a drop down screen as the memory card slots are housed behind it, I think craigyb is the best person to ask, drop him a pm or wiat till he appears

[peterb]

The RNS-E you want is 4B0 035 192 P. That is *the* Euro spec RNS-E for the A6. If the suffix is 'S' instead of 'P' then it is the US spec version. Anything which doesn't start with '4B0' is not from an A6 and won't have the discrete speed signal input.

All RNS-E versions have a 'flip-down' screen - access to the DVD drive and the SD card slots is behind the screen.

Oh, depending on the age of your B5, you will probably need a CAN bus simulator in order to feed power on/off and lights on/off signals to the RNS-E. You might be prepared to do without ignition switching and illumination on the RNS-E, but if you don't have the power on signal on the CAN bus connection, then the unit will power down every 30 minutes.

[craigyb]

Actually all RNS-E units are electrically identical, so it is just the coding that determines how they operate and they can all accept speed pulse wires (GALA) when recoded to A6. But Peter is correct, you need an A6 unit for the best fit to a B5 A4 as it's faceplate is the widest.

I think in this case reserves is going for the OEM CD option, unfortunately I don't have any parts available for these units. I only carry RNS-E & MMI parts.

[reserves]

Thanks Pete/Craig.

Actually, I'm still undecided whether to go for Sat Nav Plus or RNS-E. I'm finding it hard to work out exactly which parts I need for both.

Also unsure of what the downsides of RNS-E are, didn't know that the illumination wouldn't work etc...

[craigyb]

If your car cluster is CAN enabled, then everything will work ok, lights, ignition, DIS etc. If your does not have the CAN, then a CAN emulator is required, in this case your DIS will not work, but ignition and illumination will, as the emulator provides these signals over CAN from analogue inputs.

By the way, if you do go with a CAN enabled B5, you will also need a cangate module to fix the timing issue of the B5 when connected to an RNS-E. These cost around £120 from the states.

Craig

[reserves]

Cheers Craig.

I have a late 2000 car so I'm guessing this is CAN enabled? I already have sat nav III.

To go RNS-E then do I just need the RNS-E unit & the time sync module? (apart from the double din etc / climate etc.)

[craigyb]

Yep, if you already have the Sat nav III (BNS) then your car has canbus, remember to disconnect the unit at the rear and the also the controls in the console, if you dont the RNS-E will just keep resetting when entering the code.

Once you have done the cage conversion and are happy with that, you will need an A6 RNS-E, cangate module, adaptor loom ( with BOSE/non BOSE/CD changer/Telephone, antenna adaptor, GPS antenna (unless you extend the boot one to the front). DVD disk, security code.

[Dippy]

Good point. My earlier comment about not having to run the GPS cable is of course wrong. The BNS Sat Nav is based in the rear of the car whereas the RNS D and RNS E are in the front!

If you do decide to keep your existing GPS antenna then you'll need to remove some trim. This will probably involve some damage to the B pillar trim

[peterb]

If you do decide to keep your existing GPS antenna then you'll need to remove some trim. This will probably involve some damage to the B pillar trim

My favourite route for running cables back to front is behind the side panels in the luggage area, then down behind the side bolster to go under the rear seat squab. Take the cable to the centre of the car and drop it down under the carpet to feed through to the centre console. From there you can pull it through to reach the dash area.