...anyone who has spent any time on deep sea fishing will recognize that expression.

Well, I finally had some spare cycles this weekend to remove my factory installed whip antenna (supports AM/FM and cellphone) with the 2005+ OEM submarine fin (different from the 2003/2004 "sharkfin" version). With two small boys at home...it is getting increasingly hard to find time to complete these upgrades.

I spent two hours one night removing the d-pillar trim (avant only) and two hours this weekend doing the actual swap and running the wires. I didn't need to remove the headliner...just tilt/bend it down a bit to unsrew the parts etc. Thanks to Lee Hicks (NSX jr) -- as usual -- for helping me with the ongoing research, related part#'s and general advice...for this upgrade.

Pros:
- got rid of that aftermarket sirius antenna ("hockey puck") that was hooked up to my OEM Sirius tuner (improved reception from within my garage as well. Cool)
- consolidated my GPS antenna up here as well; consolidated GSM/Cell connection (not sure I have a need for it)
- upgraded the exterior look of my Avant to look more current. If I could compare my avant to dog breeding...then that would make my car a pure blood...mutt!
- didn't need to drill a larger whole in my roof to accommodate this new antenna. The german's never cease to amaze me. My 2001 Avant shares the exact same mount hole (actually a 1"x1" square) with a 2006 B7. That sure makes upgrades like this....less painless.
- does not interfere with my Thule Evolution 1200 roof box

Cons:
- lost AM reception completely; FM is fine. In the avant, the roof whip covers AM/FM and rear glass covers FM. I think there is a way to reroute the AM signals through the diversity switching system to regain AM. Not sure yet. Either way, I don't use AM...nor do I care for it. Stay tuned.

Parts list:
1) oem fin antenna (part#4F5-035-503-H) - mine came from a B7 Avant (cost: $80 - found one used; a new one costs about $200+ from the dealer etc.)
1a) had the fin "cap" painted by Bernardi Audi (thanks to Seth Marshall for the help) -- easy to remove prior to painting with a 8 tiny torx screws.
2) 2 sets of 2M oem neutral fakra/smb cables from fin to SAT tuner (cost: $20 each; see link below)
3) 1 set of 5M oem neutral fakra/smb cable from fin to RNSE (cost: $25; see link below)
4) 1 set of 5M red/pink fakra/smb-to-fme connector for Cellphone/GSM/Onstar telematics etc (via seller in ebay.de). Not sure I'll use this for anything..but it couldn't hurt to have it hooked up for future use. (cost: $30; see link below)
Total: Roughly $160

Some learnings:
1) oem whip (none GPS version) is actually bolted on from the top...not the bottom. You just need to pop off the plastic cap and there will be hex nut that you will need to unscrew (took me 90 minutes to figure that out). Pretty easy...but all the ETKA and info in the Bentley manual told me othewise.
2) Use the right tool...for the right job. Interior trim removal tools from zdmak.com were very handy.
3) Seems like all the fin antennas on the 2005+ audi's (C6, D3, B7 etc..etc) support gps/sat/gsm but the AM/FM antenna's are built into the rear glass (sedan or avant)
4) see thread below....and read all the related links/threads for more background

Stay tuned for detailed installation pix/pdf via www.nsxjr.com

Enjoy!
-ted

PS: Also pictured is my euro post-facelift avant license plate frame (hand delivered from Berlin by a coworker....for $130) and the euro rear beam-style aero wiper (via vagparts.com).

• http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8435#8435

TeddyBGame
- C5 Avant - "the Beast" (Ha!!)
- 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring (Nav, Sirius, Bluetooth, Xenon, TPMS, ParkSense, DVD Changer - basically loaded)
- 2003 Vespa ET2 (modified exhaust and carb -- so I can max out at 45MPH)
- John Deere Gator (4x2) for the boy

As of November 2006:

Accessory Add-ons:
(Definition: An item that provides a specific function - in a cyclical nature - and can be removed very..very easily.)
1) OEM winter floor mats
2) OEM rubber trunk mat and cargo net
3) VW Touareg cigarette lighter flashlight
4) Thule roof bars with Evolution 1200 roof box

Upgrades:
(Definition: A [bolt-on/bolt-off] item that enhances the appearance, performance or misc function of your car.)
1) OEM front/rear Euro black Recaro Seats (from a Euro 2003 S6 Avant)
http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/618112.phtml
2) OEM HID/Xenon (complete) housings (car never came with the Xenon option from the factory)
3) OEM Euro front/rear (avant) beam-style wiper blades/arms (available via www.vagparts.com)
4) OEM B6 S4 Interior auto-dimming black mirror with compass and on/off button
5) OEM Euro blindspot exterior mirrors
6) OEM S6/4.2 exterior lower door trim
7) OEM S4/S6/S8 aluminum mirror housings
8) OEM Euro rear license plate panel from 2002+ facelift avant (slight MODification to US plate required)
9) ?
10) OEM Euro RNS-E DVD Navigation system with MP3, SAT control and TV input
11) Dietz 1417 A/V input to RNS-E
12) Blaupunkt ME3 DVD/CD/MP3/TV Tuner with aftermarket amplified TV antenna in windshield
13) OEM Sirius tuner (special version to work with RNS-E)
14) OEM Phatnoise Phatbox MP3 player (trunk mounted) with custom interface cable to allow Sirius tuner and Phatbox to work together -- cool!!
15) ?
16) BBS RC 17x8 ET35 with Michelin Pilot Sports (summer tires)
17) 2002+ Rear bumper with valance openings for Magnaflow 3" exhaust tips
18) OEM submarine fin roof antenna for SAT / GPS / Cellphone (GSM)
19) OEM Euro gunmetal black avant roof rails
20) 2002+ Climate control faceplate to match faceplate color of RNS-E
21) Walnut wood trim near hazard button (above RNS-E) to match rest of interior wood scheme
22) OEM Euro Avant door panels with integrated sunshades (imported from Germany to match the black leather in my Euro Recaro interior)
23) OEM Euro blacked out front grille (no chrome perimeter)
24) OEM gunmetal black lower rear hatch strip (specific part# for avant vs. sedan)
25) OEM RS6 gunmetal black interior door latches; no need to add any RS6 badges in my car (Thanks Nelson!!!)
26) OEM Euro four spoke walnut wood and black leather (special order via Audi GmbH) multi-function wheel with tip buttons and OEM phone (BT) control
27) Upgraded "618" MF/Tip control module

Coming soon:
- rear mounted removable 7" LCD panel

MODifications:
(Definition: Any permenant change to a part or component of your car that you cannot reverse)
1) Tray under armrest to add aux. cigarette lighter
2) OEM avant CD changer bracket MODified (to fit two large CD changers etc) - now I just use it for Phatbox, OEM SAT tuner and OEM BT module.
3) Exhaust tips MODified to add Magna Flow (#35163) 3" dual walled tip
4) Factory wiring behind Sym I to simplify installation/removal of RNS-E
5) MODified glovebox to support fitment of Blaupunkt ME3 (a biatch to install!!)
6) MODified headlight switch bezel for fitment of GALA switch for "video-in-motion" for playing Blaupunkt ME3 through RNSE
7) MODified stock exhaust and had magnaflow 3" tips welded on (see above)
8) MODified rear Euro license plate surround to house 2nd rear foglight (2001 model only came with one from the factory); US license plate needed to be MODified a bit to fit inside the narrow Euro opening.


RNS-E for C5 A6/S6/allroad/RS6 - your quest starts here - (regularly updated)
OEM submarine fin installed on 2001 A6 Avant with RNS-E etc
Euro gunmetal black roof rails on 2001 A6 Avant
Interior facelift: front sport seats
2001 A6 Avant: Interior Mods (Nav+, DVD/MP3 player, Sport Steering Wheel, Compass Mirror etc)
Euro blind spot exterior mirrors (thoughts, fitment, experience etc)
Lots of electronics upgrade (RNS-E, SAT tuner etc) documents for C5 folks
OEM PhatBox installation/experience-updated: November 2005
All kinds of info on OEM Audi head units
Great site for Audi OEM rims specs, fitment, part#s etc (in German)
Special Wire Extraction Tools for Audi headunit connectors
OEM HID/Xenon upgrade content (long) and research website
New 2002+ rear bumper, Magnaflow tips on 2001 Avant
New Winter Setup...Merry Christmas to me...(I love my Winter tires!!!)
Likes/Dislikes with my A6 Avant
I just spent $2K on an extended warranty on my 2001 A6 Avant