Guide to retrofit OEM Bluetooth with RNS-E

[jasonc]

Hi All,

I spent a good chunk of today messing about retrofitting an OEM Bluetooth kit into my S3 Sportback (8P Facelift 58 plate) so thought I'd share the experience since judging by the number of posts on here this is a pretty popular thing to do.

I bought a new OEM kit from eBay for 250 quid which came with the bluetooth module, wiring loom, microphone and antenna.

I did my homework in advance and read everything I could find on this fine forum relating to Bluetooth. I found a lot of useful tips on here so thanks to everybody who has previously discussed the subject and answered other peoples questions since it all helped.

What I couldn't find anywhere was a proper guide or much in the way of pictures so thought I'd knock one up since it may come in handy for others attempting the fit.

The main issue that I had was with the location of the bluetooth module - the correct location (as many have previously stated) is under the passenger seat but this seems to involve taking up the carpet which I didn't want to do so I abandoned that idea.

Eventually I managed to fit it in the radio compartment behind the RNS-E which seems like a pretty sensible location to me.

I make no guarantees that any of my methods are correct but it's all gone in neatly and works perfectly. I reckon with the guide anybody should be able to do this in 1-2 hours. Considering the going rate round my way seems to be 450 quid to supply and fit I'm pretty happy with that!

There are a lot of pictures in here so I'd thought it best to PDF the thing to keep it all together:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10357287/guides/Retrofit Audi OEM Bluetooth.pdf

Hope it comes in handy for someone even if just for the pictures!

 

[jb0o]

Good work mate.

I definitely agree with the location of the Bluetooth module.

I tried to get mine behind the Stereo like you have but it simply wouldnt fit.. I wonder if the facelift CC unit is slimmer??

I have stored mine, and my customers, in a fixed and secure location behind the glovebox.

 

[NKenny]

Nice one, thanks. I have been considering installing an OEM bluetooth kit but the lack of insructions/guide put me off.

 

[paultaylor]

very good guide, I might move my BT from under the glovebox to the location you used once i get my RNS e

 

[jasonc]

Good work mate.

I definitely agree with the location of the Bluetooth module.

I tried to get mine behind the Stereo like you have but it simply wouldnt fit.. I wonder if the facelift CC unit is slimmer??

I have stored mine, and my customers, in a fixed and secure location behind the glovebox.

The CC unit in the older cars would need to be a LOT bigger to get in the way - on mine its a pretty slim unit with loads of space behind it. It's only the business card holder which goes all the way to the back and gets in the way. If it wasn't for the antenna sticking out so far I reckon I could have fitted the BT module horizontally behind the climate controls and underneath the business card holder (if the antenna had a right-angled connector this could be done). It's possible that something else has changed about the design of the dash which stops it fitting in older models.

 

[jb0o]

I'll have to have a second look at that then.

Id much prefer it to be stored behind the stereo, just makes sense really and improves access to the module as well.

 

[A3-8PA]

Hi, I m after bluetooth module part number... Already got latest RNS-E in my audi A3 - 2008..

 

[jb0o]

Latest BT module is 8P1 862 335

 

[gary3306]

Just clear them faults that come up now. They should disappear if everything is working right now. Great guide, well done mate. I'd be doing that myself but the car already had it

 

[5ean]

Good guide mate, i take it the wiring loom you got with the bluetooth didnt need splicing in to the current loom?

 

[jasonc]

Good guide mate, i take it the wiring loom you got with the bluetooth didnt need splicing in to the current loom?

No - it just plugged straight in and sits in line with the existing cable from the car to the RNS-E.

 

[NHN]

I'd never stick it anywhere but under the seat, the oem pcb antenna type is very delicate, in 99% of cases you'd never have to get to it unless it was faulty & these are fairly solid units & dont often go wrong.

 

[N8]

All about 8P1 Bluetooth, fitted OEM under the seat

 

[dk1234]

Nice guide, these are the kind of guides I like to see..... pictures are worth a thosand words. I hope more people post guides like you. I would think about doing this to replace a old car phone system (Nokia 810) that came in my car when I bought it that I've never used.

I got an 2004 A3 fsi with an mk1 RNSe (I assume, as it takes upto 4gb sd cards), would I still have to get it coded and are there other places other than Audi where you could get it coded with the VCDS?

I assume that even though my car is alot older it shouldnt be massively different should it?

 

[NHN]

Yes vcds can code it, whereabouts are you located?

 

[dk1234]

Yes vcds can code it, whereabouts are you located?

I'm in Tottenham, North London. How much would it be if I were to get that done?

 

[NHN]

I know of someone who could just code it in your area for a small price, if you wanted the full install, then best to PM me for a price as I do supply/fit.

 

[ianleon]

What does the letter mean on the end of the part number of the bluetooth unit ?

 

[a6_chris]

Just a different revision ie, the greater the letter, the newer the unit

8E0 862 335 >8E-5-600 000 - Basic functionality only
8P0 862 335 C MY 2006 A4 8E-6-000 001/8E-6-800 001>>
8P0 862 335 B MY 2006 A3/A4 (North America)
8P0 862 335 F MY 2006.5 A3/A4 (Europe)
8P0 862 335 G MY 2006.5 A4 (North America)
8P0 862 335 M MY 2007 (Europe)
8P0 862 335 J MY 2007 (North America)
8P0 862 335 H MY 2007.5 (Europe)
8P0 862 335 L MY 2008 (North America)
8P0 862 335 K MY 2008 (Europe, sw 0340) -> may get replaced under warranty due to faulty firmware
8P0 862 335 Q MY 2008 (Europe, sw 0350)
8P0 862 335 R MY 2008 (North America)
8P0 862 335 N MY 2009 (Europe)
8P0 862 335 P MY 2009 (North America)
8P0 862 335 S MY 2009.5 (Europe)
8P0 862 335 T MY 2009.5 (North America)
8P0 862 335 AA MY 2010 (Europe)
8P0 862 335 AB MY 2010 (North America)

Of course 8P1 862 335 (no suffix) being the newest of the lot

While we're on the subject of Bluetooth modules - Jonny or Nigel, could you pm me prices for a decent module?

Not too old and preferably not a flashed unit

Doesn't have to be brand new, infact the cheaper the better

 

[cboy]

ive just bought a 2011 a3 s line which module would be ok for mine?

 

[Lukeyb]

I have a '10 rnse with an '07 H revision (iirc) Bluetooth unit. So I'd say at least an '07 or newer will work.

 

[Anthony090]

Good work mate.

I definitely agree with the location of the Bluetooth module.

I tried to get mine behind the Stereo like you have but it simply wouldnt fit.. I wonder if the facelift CC unit is slimmer??

I have stored mine, and my customers, in a fixed and secure location behind the glovebox.

Hi Mate,

I am having a similar issue, i cannot fit it behind the stereo, i have tried every angle, would you mind telling me how you fitted it behind your glovebox?

 

[kico18]

Hi guys, i just bought my Bluetooth module (original) to connect with my RSN e. Can someone please put some guidelines please. Thanks