FourCircle

Good news! On another thread, Spleen's user found Fakra connector of the OEM Sharkfin antenna on the roof of our A3 8P.

This antenna has a GPS receiver and a Sirius receiver (Sat Radio). The problem is that no one had previously found the hiding place of the wire to connect directly the RNS-E and don't connect an additional GPS antenna as I have done.

Here are the explanations! As for me, I'll wait until spring before removing the Subwoofer panel to connect my RNS-E. I'll keep you posted.

Link: https://www.audiforum.ca/showthread....086#post176086

-Quote-
"Good news! Went into the driver's side trunk panel today (well, my mechanic did with me hovering over his shoulder!) and found the GPS antenna cable!

It came down the rear most roof pillar, and was tucked behind the subwoofer. We were able to fish it out from there without needing to remove the subwoofer at all!

To check yours, first pull out the rear lighting unit from the headliner. This will let you see the bottom of the sharkfin. Mine clearly had 4 wires coming out. 2 were the SAT radio antennas, 1 was the telephone antenna, and the final one was the GPS. So if you know how many SAT antenna connectors you have, and you do find 2 more wires coming out of the sharkfin, there is a good chance that you already have the GPS antenna in there like I did!

We tucked the GPS and "tel" antenna leads into the same compartment where the SAT radio receiver usually goes in the side of the trunk to hook up once I get all the gear together."

coolmo

i am about the purchase 2012 a3 tdi real soon, and I am glad that I found this site.
I want to have exact same setup as fourcircle, however I am not comfortable touching the car to do it myself.

Do you know any local toronto shop will do this for cheap?
or get a help while doing it for myself?

Thank you everyone!

(by the way, fourcircle, I love your help on this thread!!! thank you very much!)

FourCircle

Before purchasing your 2012 A3, here is information that was unknown to me during my purchase last October. This is another forum user who informed me by PM (information to check against with your dealer, I don't check by myself).

There would be an package on special order (only) that is not in the brochure or on the website of Audi Canada. For 2200.00 CAD, you may have the RNS-E 2012, the MMI (iPhone connectivity) and parking sensor... Which is not very expensive for the package. I immagine that it takes several months before receiving the vehicle from the Audi plant.

Otherwise, there are lots of repair shop that specialize in Audi will be happy help you for up to two hours of working time. https://www.audiforum.ca/eastern-canada-discussion-48/audi-repair-shops-referrals-18979/

coolmo

Hey FourCircle, Thank you for your information, but Audi is having a promotion of 5 years finance rate @ 1.9% and first month wavied, expiring at the end of this month and any car which delivered past this month will lose the promotion. I am not sure if the promotion would get extended though.

I will re ask the dealer though.

and.. thank you for the link, that really helps!

FourCircle

Have fun. It's a great car, fuel frendly and RNS-E add value, fun and convenient. If you buy an used RNS-E (like me by eBay), make sure that's a 2sd Gen (193), that have the US/Can Firmware and DVD Map. Find a good eBay seller and pay by PayPal (fraud insurance).

1.9% is very good. In october, it was 2.9% on 48 or 60 months.

Good Luck,
FourCircle

coolmo

Actually, you sold me for A3 lol
loved your setup with oem 2nd gen Nav, and i am going to follow exactly what you did except DIY.
lol

I am going to order one form your suggested dealer too.

Your help is really big and I really appreciate it.

coolmo

Fourcircle, so I am waiting on delivery for a3, and am going to order Nav from ebay in the mean time.

Would replacing a Nav and program void warranty on car?

Heard accessing to chip or computer would void the warranty and i am wondering if this "programing" would void the warranties.

Thank you!

coolmo

oh and, one more question.
have you tried putting a reverse camera?

FourCircle

Warranty: Obviously, the RNS-E radio is not covered by Audi warranty vehicle, as it was not factory installed. Normally, the eBay seller offer a guarantee of 12 or 24 months. For me, it was 12 months. For the rest, everything is on the warranty.

For VagCom programmation, not really, because the program only affects the radio (and communications with the multifunction steering wheel and trip computer). It's not as if you had chip your engine. Reprogramming of the ECU has direct repercussions on the engine and transmission.

Backup Camera : No. I don't try it. And I don't want to pay for this option (not necessary).

FourCircle

coolmo

Thanks again FourCircle.

I finally got my TDI yesterday and I am loving it.
It's actually for my wife's car, but I get to drive for the first year. lol

I am going to order RNS-E from ebay where you suggested. It's really a good deal.

I have one more questions..
I am thinking of getting an aftermarket reverse camera with RNS-E. Do you know if RNS-E have an auxillary input or mulitimedia interface for video?

i guess not, since i read it somewhere that i will need to buy IMA from kufatec...