AudiWorld Forums - Fish On!!! OEM Submarine fin installed in 2001 Avant

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32631/fish_on.jpg"></center><p>...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).<ul><li><a href="http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8435#8435">http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8435#8435</a</li></ul>