<center><img src="http://www.usatcorp.com/pics/car2.JPG"></center><p>I'm a first-time Audi owner with a 2002 A8L. It's a lovely car and has all options. It also appears to be the only A8L that I've even seen in the Raleigh NC area, so that's neat.

Someone at a gas station complimented me on the car yesterday and also mentioned that the stock radio can be replaced with the newer Nav system that was available in Europe.

I was able to find a website talking about the Nav+, which is what I assume the guy was talking about. I had a few questions, so I figured this would be the place to ask.

1. What are the approx. costs for the upgrade, and where are the best places to purchase? It's not a requirement that the unit be brand new. I'd be perfectly happy with a used one, as long as it's in good shape.

2. I have a huge Jazz mp3 collection and I am currently having to use an MP3 capable portable discman running thru the cassette deck to listen to them. I had heard that the Nav+ system had an SD slot for MP3s. Which model do I need to get to ensure that I get this MP3 functionality? I do not own an iPod, so I would prefer a USB stick or SD card interface.

3. My stock radio is the Symphony II with Bose speakers, and the stock nav system is CD-based, in the trunk. Is the new Nav system CD or DVD based?

4. How hard is the install? Does it have any adverse affects on the car or cause any systems to inaccurately report problems?

I appreciate any info you guys can give, as I make my way through the beginning stages of making this upgrade.

The A4 RNS-E fits with some faceplate mods the A8 facelift center console quite well. <a href="http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/1,2,12,15,22,25,26,27,5/Number/369975/an/page/page/0/vc/1">Here</a> is one example.

Thanks for the info. Are there many modifications that have to be done to the wiring harness to install the RNS-E?

Also, where is a good place to buy the unit?

Would it be simpler to fit the older RNS-D into my Audi, and then perhaps install the PhatNoise system to give me my MP3 capability?

I appreciate any info anyone can give.

The RNS-D was never offered in the US. If you go that route you may need to deal with modified maps. Also, the RNS-D needs an external device called TMC interface. Even though there is no TMC in the US, the interface is required to display informtation on the DIS (e.g. radio station, CD track number). For your A8 you are looking for a 4D0 unit to have a fitting faceplate. The costs in the US, with TMC and maps, are probably not much less than $1000, maybe even more.

The RNS-E was never offered for the A8 4D, therefore there is no fittign faceplate. But the A4 B6 (8E0) unit gets pretty close. Electrically you can use a plug and play adapter. Trustworthy sellers usually include such an adapter made for your car. There is no external device required for the RNS-E, everything is in the same box. Since the European unit can easily be modified to work inthe US, it is usually easier to get an RNS-E. Costs I would estimate in the $1500 range, dependent on the unit you get.

In either case you would need to disconnect the existing BNS navi as it talk on the same address and would interfere with the RNS-D/-E communication.

Check <a href="http://www.navplus.us">www.navplus.us</a> and <a href="http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&forumid=68">www.audizine.com</a>, their for sale sections have several topics from guys selling the RNS-E in the US. For the GPS extender cable from your current BNS to the new RNS you should contact Euro-Parts.us.

For the RNS-D you would need to google as I don't have any link to a reliable source right now.

I would recommend to spend a weekend and read through the quick links on navplus.us. They cover retrofits in various cars for both the RNS-D and RNS-E. There are also plenty of links to other pages with even more details.