Rice Etr

That capability may need to be "activated" and that can only be done with information and or software / firmware that is supplied with the kit when a customer orders it. From that picture it would appear that you can dial the phone from the NAV system and the only way that concievably could be done is if there is bi-directional digital communication between the phone and the NAV unit via blue tooth. I believe the standard phone integration is an analog connection and is merely an extension of the phone's OEM features weather it's voice dial, or memory storage.

DirkM

there is no RNS-E which has build in Bluetooth. It's always the (CAN-BUS connected) phone interface which provides the Bluetooth functionality. There are two types of RNS-E: Basic and High. They do basically support the same functionality with the exception that the High version of the RNS-E supports voice control for not only the phone but also for the navi and radio components. On the High version of the RNS-E the microphon is connected directly to the RNS-E, in all other cases the microphone is connected to the phone interface. With the Euro 0330 software Audi added a lot more features to the RNS-E to provide better intergration of the phone interface. Features like dialing from the address book (NAME), showing the provider or caller ID and BT signal are now built in. This is where Stoodo's pictures comes from. The Euro 0330 software can be installed on older RNS-E as well. But the additional features are only accessible when using a phone interface with the newest software (that's probably what the CD is for). This a quick summary of what the guys over at motor-talk.de audi4ever.at and audia4freunde.de are talking about.

So, if AlexTTQ says that these features are not available in the US (at least on the A4), this could still mean that there is a software update pending for the US RNS-E or that this feature is simply not considered required/desired for US customers.

The BT enabled phone interface used in Europe which supports above features is 8P0 862 335C. I couldn't figure out if there is a corresponding A4 part (8P0 indicates an A3 part) or if both models are sharing this interface. It would be very interesting to know what the part number of the US BT phone interface has to see if Audi is using completely different systems here and there (they do for the RNS-E but that doesn't mean that they do it for the phone interface as well). If not, one day with the right software update, these features might be available in the US too.

Just my 2 cents...

Rice Etr

The key here seems to be that the BT integration(according to the original post by "ayethree") is a dealer installed option and since the NAV+ is required to get the BT integration, I think it's a safe deduction that there is a harness connection in the back of the RSN-E NAV unit. There is at least a phone interface yes? I doubt Audi would produce 2 different NAV units, one for people getting BT integration and one for non-BT equiped cars so we must conclude that ALL current RSN-E units have this capability already programmed in. Perhaps this is where updated software that you spoke of may come in. Aside from installing the mic, speaker, antenna and harness, there must be some procedure that the dealer follows to enable the actual function within the RSN-E unit. For our sakes, lets hope its a simple as a software or firmware installation via cd (or DVD) but it could also be an update via "GECO" which would make it much less accesable to us. Have you seen the RSN-E unit out of a car? Curious as to what connections are back there?

DirkM

AFAIK all the current phone interfaces are CAN enabled. They talk to the car (e.g. DIS, RNS-E, multi function steering wheel) via CAN bus removing the need for separate wiring. The only phone related pins at the RNS-E are speaker left/right/gnd and probably on the high version microphone high/gnd. The phone interface is accessible via address 77 and allows various configuration settings (one is for example the BT key). It's usually located under the passenger seat similar to the Telematics interface.

The guys over on the German boards said that if you have the phone interface without BT, enabling BT is as easy as installing the BT antenna and changing a setting with VAG-COM - if you have a newer interface. The older interfaces were not BT capable.

Since there was no phone prep for the US in the past, the interface is likely not installed at all. However, the harness might be in place and all it needs is to install the interface, micro, etc. and enable it with VAG-COM.

There are two different RNS-E for the North American market: the Basic 8E0 035 192E and the High 8E0 035 192F. The latter one has more voice control features but if it is somehow similar to the Euro units, both do support BT phone interfaces.

I'm not sure on the dealer install part here. Is the phone interface a dealer install option or just the BT piece which can get added by the dealer if the car already has the phone kit installed? I'm certain that the dealer have a software update CD for the phone interface (and the RNS-E), they do so at least in Europe.

I agree with you when you say that all RNS-E have the capability to support a phone interface, be it bluetooth or not. The main question is: What is the part number and is there a separate OEM harness which can be used? Everything else is just a question of figuring out the right settings.

I have more questions than answers but since someone can order an A3 in Germany with just the BT phone kit (no RNS-E and no mf steering wheel) I don't think it's dependent on either of both (although it makes it much easier to use it). We just have to wait for someone to actually take a look at an A3 or A4 with BT and see what is installed and how. Maybe it's time for a test drive with a VAG-COM ;-)

These are the connections for the RNS-E
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86480/rnse-wires.jpg">

Rice Etr

The latest (according to Audi) is, if you want BT, you must also order NAV+. I guess they're relying on something within the unit in order to make the option available. Rumors of the BT option started shortly after tha A3 was made available here and the BT option itself has only recently been made available as a "Sold order" option. Perhaps it was the software update you were refering to that was required in order to make the BT integration fully operational. I guess what will answer the question is to actually see whats in the "kit" before it's actually installed by the dealer before delivery. As a former service advisor,I can attest that It will be an install that takes an hour or less. The dealerships are not reimbursed by Audi for actual tech labor used for PDI's and DIOs. They're paid a flat rate for each vehicle with PDI's paying 2 hours and DIO's paying one hour.

RobBob

Where did you hear that the NAV+ was required for all BT orders? I'm asking
because I ordered BT without NAV+, and my a3 is being built this week (week of
august 29, production week 36).