[camsd85]

I really would love to get an RNS-E unit installed in my 2003 A4 B6, but I don't want to damage my car going through the daunting installation process. After reading posts and installation examples for hours, it seems I need to get a GPS antenna to wire through the glove compartment or behind the instrumental panel--and then change the instrumental panel itself in order for it to display directions and navigation information. My understanding is if you don't do this second part, your instrumental panel will go blank(someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Anyway the whole process would be alot more easy if I could just pay someone with more expertise to do it. Does anyone know of any shops in Southern California that would know how to go about installing a Nav+ unit in an A4(with no previous navigation system)?

 

[BayrischerS4]

Contact Dusan (pronounced Dueshaun) at Auto Import Specialist if you're close enough to Monrovia. You can call him at 626.357.8677 and tell him Lanny sent you. He's a very nice guy and he has an RNS-E in his Audi A6.

I can help you out as well but my schedule is not the greatest in Flexibility.

-Lanny

 

[camsd85]

Well I live in San Diego, but would be more than willing to take the drive up if he really knows what he's doing. Any idea on how much he would charge for the installation?

Also any tips you would have for a newbie would also be greatly appreciated. I haven't yet ordered the unit, but from what I understand the US spec(8E0 035 192 E) version can be ordered for about $1000. Lowest price I've found so far was $1400 from nav-plus.com. Where did you order yours from?

Thanks

 

[fritzner]

i am pretty sure the $1000-$1400 units are the older CD based RNS-D nav plus.. the new DVD-based nav plus (US part number you have is correct 8E0 135 192 E or F) are more like ~$2500..

i could help you out, but my schedule is also not very flexible.. i installed a EU RNS-E in my '02 A4.. i am near LAX..

you found the right place for information..

welcome.

 

[camsd85]

All help is greatly appreciated and I have a VERY flexible schedule.

Are you sure the DVD based nav is $2500? Because this site has it for $1400(http://www.nav-plus.com/products.html). From my understanding, the CD based nav can be bought for as low as $400.

Also do you need to buy anything extra for the directional arrows/street names to appear on the instrumental panel above the steering wheel?

 

[powertony]

The offered products on nav-plus.com are the older CD based units.
For 1.400 dollar you receive a system with multiple CDs.

If you want to spent 1.400 dollar, just wait a while because the US units are currently rather expensive. The market value is over $2K..

 

[camsd85]

I stand corrected on pricing.

But taking a quick look at ebay.de I see alot of EU DVD units going for between 600 and 900 euros, which seems to be a much better deal than $2500. Has anyone had any luck ordering from ebay sellers in Germany?

 

[AudiA4B6US]

There are several more or less important issues when using the EU unit and you should be aware of those. More here.

The only US units for the A4 B6 are the ones ending in "E" and "F". Devices from ebay.de are almost always European "C" units. And in addition to the unit itself you owuld need to get the adapter harness (~$50), GPS antenna (~$30), US DVD plus patched backup (~$200-$400) and you have shipping from Gemany (~$100-$200).

In general you should be more technical if you get the EU unit because you may need to create new dual layer DVDs or change large files. If you just waant a nice little navigation unit which works Iwould recommend to pay the premium and stay with an US unit.

 

[camsd85]

That definitely sounds like the more attractive option. However, I'm just a college student so my budget is quite a bit more limited.

Does it seem possible to buy the EU unit for 1000 euros or so shipped off ebay, order the cables/adaptors seperately...and hope to find some nice forum member who would send me a copy of the patched DVD?