RNS-E and Carbon Fiber Questions

[hahnmgh63]

Actually, I am no electrical genius but I found that the RNS-E and the XM install were fairly easy. The car is already wired for the XM (in the left trunk compartment) and most cars came with XM and will need the module swapped for the newer software module (externally looks identical, same part #, just a different suffix). For the RNS-E, you will just need to deal with a reputable supplier and let them know that you need the harness for a RS6 or a C5 A6 w/ Bose as the Bose adds a couple more wires in the harness. You will only need to splice one wire from the rear of the instrument cluster and install the pin in the back of the new harness (The RNS-E will work fine without the wire spliced, it will just be slightly slow keeping the position updated as quickly with speed, almost and imperceptable difference.). You will need to install a small magnetic GPS antenna behind the instrument cluster and the wire will need to be stuffed down the same area that the speed sensor wire from the instrument cluster goes to hook it into the RNS-E. You can use the Onstar antenna wire to use the sharkfin antenna. I originally had the small magnetic antenna but being anal I decided to use the Sharkfin thinking it might be better and more OEM but in actuality it isn't any better. Surprisingly the small magnetic antenna under the dash and behind the instrument cluster works great. There are online install intructions with some great color pics that make it much easier putting it together. It sounds somewhat complicated from my description but it is fairly easy.
As for the Bluetooth, that is a little more complicated. You will need to remove the Onstar (no longer operational anyways) and remove some of the wires out of the two Onstar plugs and reinstall them into a Bluetooth plug. You will need a couple of small jewelers screwdrivers or a pin removal tool would make it easier. Just a matter of checking pin #'s you pull and installing them in the correct pin holes.
Here are a couple of good suppliers: http://sites.google.com/site/nsxjraudi/ and http://www.vagnavs.com/ , I have dealt with both and they are very good. You don't need to purchase your RNS-E from them if you can find a better deal but they are a great place to purchase the harness & antenna if you don't get it with the unit. Here is the Audi RNS-E forum which is great for info, part #'s and other information. http://www.audiforum.us/
Yes, that RNS-E will work, I have seen them a little cheaper but I would ask the manufacturers date of the unit and I see it doesn't come with a harness which is another $40 or so. I have the Euro Carbon and I think it goes well with my White exterior and White(Silver?) & Black interior. There is a blue carbon thread in the Weave which it looks like the Ebay one listed has but the color is hard to tell for sure.

[CornersWell]

Actually, I am no electrical genius but I found that the RNS-E and the XM install were fairly easy.

Much of what you say is certainly true, but this is an involved process. Pulling the unit. Pulling trim pieces. Pulling pins. Re-installing. Yes, the XM module merely replaces the existing, but that's just one step. And, some specialized tools are definitely necessary.

If you felt up to it and were successful, congrats. I'm just glad I went the professional route.

CW

[skribe]

With all due respect, it's not as hard as your installer made it out to be. You may have to swap pins in a connector if you have the wrong non-Bose harness or something, but it's just not that difficult. The schematics have all been documented, its a google away. It's 98% plug & play.

[CornersWell]

Well, given that I was there throughout the installation and watched, I did observe what was going on. The underdash must be removed. The glove compartment must be removed. These are just a couple of screws, so no big thing, I suppose. We did have screws, however, that simply wouldn't budge. I mean those things must have been put on with LocTite or something. The wiring loom has multiple different kinds of multi-pin connectors. Wiring diagrams needed to be consulted. The new wiring harness has to be installed under trim parts. And so on. And, for someone who KNEW what they were doing, it took at least two multi-hour and one quick-fix session to get it all working properly.

But, hey, if it can be done DIY, great. I'm just re-telling my own experience. The OP's install wouldn't be as painful as mine was, I don't think, given that he's not talking about an install with all the gadgets I now have.

CW