Audi A8 d4 factory rear entertainment retrofit RSE
 

I started installing the factory RSE system in my 2015 Audi A8. This along with a host of other features will be installed over the next few weeks. I’ll try and document most of it here for other people to see. I obtained the wiring loom from kufatec as it was easier than to make my own. I obtained the rest of the components off an auction site.

To get started, the rear trunk panels will have to be removed to install the wiring there. The front center console, seats, front mmi, etc will all have to be removed. The wire harness starts on the rear left of the car from the factory tuner, through the center of the car to the front two seats. The actual drive is installed above the ski tunnel. A short fiber optic lead connects the rear slave unit to the rear left tuner unit. Part of the harness is fed through the armrest in the rear for the controller. Below are pics of how I started. To be continued over the next few days.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...876100ce2.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...41c5b0770.jpeg
Connector for rear factory tuner. The green connector is installed in the shell.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...d0019b865.jpeg
Wire harness coming through center of car.
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Fiber optics from rear tuner to slave RSE unit. Being a MOST fiber system, the in and out leads have to be in a certain direction or the entire audio system will be dead.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...beb764f6e.jpeg

Thank you Laurent0613 for sharing the factory drive location.

Not an easy project.
Still wondering about the overall cost of this retrofit.
You will have to go to the dealer to remove the component protection of the rear MMi.

I spent a little more time tonight working on the project. The wire harness was ran through the armrest and routed the same way as factory. The rear seats have been reinstalled now. I’ll complete the wiring on the trunk side tomorrow so I can close everything up in the back area. Waiting on the bracket that holds the drive above ski tunnel.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...4110e396d.jpeg
Rear mmi connector in factory spot installed
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...49d002945.jpeg
Rear connector for rear mmi controls

A small issue with the kufatec harness. Unlike the factory harness, this is one long harness. So there are no breaks in it where the factory would have connectors near the rear armrest and under both front seats. The kufatec harness requires you to run through the armrest and up both front seats which prevents you to remove the armrest or front seats unless you remove the harness.

I wanted to give everyone an update on this retrofit.

1. All the wiring is almost complete. The Kufatec wire harness only has three splice points. Red wire for power to the fuse box. You will have to take the fuse box insert out so you can push the terminal in to the slot. Add the correct fuse there. Brown wire for ground. The last wire is a diagnostic lead. I tapped into the harness that plugs into the bose amplifier on my car since it was the closest.

2. Fiber optic wiring is done also. Everything works except for the "component protection" error on the screen. This security issue will be removed shortly.

3. The replacement wood trim for the rear center console came in and is installed.

4. The only thing left is running the wire harness up the front seats to the rear monitors. The wood trim on the back of the front seats will have to be cut/modified to be able to install the monitors.

5. If you have a DVD changer, the Green FAKRA cable supplied needs to go from the dvd changer to the rear media player between the rear seat (that was just installed)

6. If you are a EURO country and have TV tuner, the 2 pin audio cable will need to be run to the TV Tuner.

7. Coding will be required. Central Gateway to enable 7F. Front media player - enable green secret menu and then enable the rear entertainment system menu. This will allow you to disable the rear entertainment system from the front screen and also control audio settings.

Pictures to follow soon.

Nice !

Could you please explain a bit more the point 7?

In 5F you check the RSE box and this will allow you to control the RSE?

Laurent, Not control. Just enable/disable rear screens/ enable/disable rear controls, and choose where you want audio to be routed. Headphones or speakers. I believe there are a total of 4 settings for rear entertainment. I'll take some pictures shortly.

Rear seat entertainment?

Yes