OK, another experiment.

Purchased brand new receiver from Audi, disemboweled center console, installed the new receiver in OEM location with OEM bracket, fixed with OEM screws and it didn't pass the 2:59 test! :)

It all happened in garage, not exactly on the same spot where we tested Adrian's car.

I think I'm going to bury that receiver in OEM location and will snake wires to boot under parcel shelf where another receiver did work. :)

Update: and then it passed test from 3rd attempt! :)

I'm now taking old receiver and will test it on the same location... To be continued...

Damn! That's annoying, but guess you were most of the way in there to fit your new RNS-E anyway?

Maybe the solid walls above your garage are just too thick to get a signal indoors?

I needed to tidy up all the legacy wiring anyway. I now tested the old receiver on the same spot and both receivers work equally well.

They both catch signal from second-third attempt on OEM spot. So receivers are the same.

I think it's heated windscreen that reduces performance a bit.

UPDATE AFTER MORE TESTING:

*** Receivers are the same
*** I'm confident receiver will work in OEM location, but couple of weeks of testing will finally confirm.

I'm now leaving second receiver in OEM location.

Still no signal after several days, so that beam is presumably blocking reception. You can see it clearly in this picture that Adrian posted earlier in the thread, attached below (at a sensible size :rolleyes: ).

I reckon if it's anywhere above that it will work fine; the recess in the back of the instruments is right against it. :tuttut:

I'm happy to lend a hand fitting in factory spot if you order the bracket. I reckon 2 hrs work tops if you know where to start :)

HP, I can help you too if you come here near Reading

I can now confirm that both receivers work great in OEM location after one week of testing in garage (worst case scenario).

My second receiver is for sale now for £30 plus shipping.

If it won't work in your car in OEM location I'll return your money back.

Thanks very much for the offers guys, I want to try first to see if there's a solution without "major surgery".

£30 plus P&P seems a fair price for the unit, very much in line with what I paid for mine (eBay from Germany).+++

Isn't it beautiful to come to car today and discover that clock was automatically adjusted with winter time?

:)

I'll let you know when I get mine out to drive to Oxfordshire later :D