I think that is the proprietary MMI connector. You'll need a proper MMI adapter cable to connect it to an i-thing. They are plentiful on ebay.

I believe RNS-e only connects to the phone as a headset. It doesn't support the correct Bluetooth profile for music playback so the phone simply ignores it for that application.

Bluetooth has a number of 'profiles', handsfree, and audio being two of them. Most older cars/head units only use the handsfree profile. You can add an adapter as mentioned if you have the apple connector. I think the tunes2air are now the Bovee WMA1000, which I've got in the Jag and No 2 Son's Volvo, which give you the steering wheel controls, etc. that you wouldn't get using an Aux cable. Though I'm sure there's other options out there for getting Bluetooth on to it, such as BT to Aux adapters and you just have to use the phone to change track.

I would say that looks like the ipod dock.

And as it suggests, its designed for an ipod (of that era) to slide in and dock.

From memory there were 3 external audio options at that time:

Ipod Dock
CD Changer
AMI

The latter would give you the most connectivity options by today's standards I imagine and ought to be a fairly simple retrofit as the RNS-E didn't have many ports on the back, so I imagine its a case of unplug the dock, and plug the AMI in.(never actually done it though, so dont quote me)

The AMI in question looks identical to the one we see on the A6/A8/Q7 - but - crucially - it doesnt have MOST (optical bus) so is different connectors on the back, e.g: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-B...0AAOSwpxZdiRtb



The RNS-E also has TV input options, so, worst case you could fathom a 3rd party connection over that, but they do tend to pick up alternator interference in my experience....

I wonder if this might be as good as/better than the Apple cable?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-A...53.m1438.l2649

It is, indeed, an iPod dock! +++

And as I have a couple of old style iPods, that what I’ll pursue in the short term (funds need to be reserved for a new belt and a few other issues with the TTS).

The iPod functions in the dock, but the only text on the screen is ‘CD1....CD6’ and, for each CD, Track1.....Track n’. That’s pretty similar to some of the iPod links I’ve tried in the S8. I can live with that if I have to.

The SD card that I bought (not an HC card and only 2GB) works well too, with screen info and steering wheel controls, so I’ll buy a few more of them as well.

Thanks for all the input guys - much appreciated

Is your RNS-E a MK 1 or 2? If not sure, usually a chrome volume knob and ability to use SDHC cards in the 2 slots behind that are bigger than 4GB is an indicator of Mk2.

I don’t think mk1 supports AMI (Sergey went through all this with his old car)

Never seen the iPod dock before!

Here is the RNS-E in my TTS. It has 2 SD card slots, but didn't like the 16GB card that I first tried. It’s fine with 2 GB, non-HC cards

That looks like a Mk2 from the 2 chrome buttons (but they can be swapped)

Was the 16GB card you tried an SDXC? It won't like those, but should accept SDHC. They don't like microSD cards in adaptors either.

Worth noting that sometimes SD cards aren't correctly marked for the standard they allegedly comply with - particular problem with 4GB cards (which Mk1 RNS-E needs) as new ones more likely to be SDHC now, but won't necessarily be marked as it.

Post a pic of the firmware/map version info too and I can probably go off that too +++

Shame about the scratches on the screen - it's quite easy to swap them if it annoys you (look at my thread for changing the nav drive unit in the RNS-E and it explains how to strip it down)

My similar vintage RS6 does'nt let you stream Bluetooth music, only phone however there is a connection in the glove box in mine which allows you to connect a variety of different inputs at the other end, one of which is aux in, then just connect something like below and your tunes will work over BT. Suspect mine is MMI though and not RNS-E. You should be able to get something from Connects 2 or Xcarlink which plugs into the back of the head unit and gives you an aux in option which in turn lets you connect via one of those below, I have Spotify and other "Modern Stuff" like dab radio from my phone via BT in my aging S8 +++

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

PS I thought you were a committed CD man anyway??

I really appreciate the time and expertise that you guys are giving me! +++

Even if I don’t understand half of it!

Yes, when buying music, I’m still a CD man - I still miss the fabulous artwork that you got with an LP; not to mention the sleeve notes.

And I’m not sure that I want to ‘stream’ music - I just have all my iTunes music in MP3 format on my phone and want to play it on the car stereo.

But, if I can do that with big enough SD cards (I have something more than 20GB) then that would be great, as that gives the on-screen info that I’d like, that the iPod dock appears to lack.

So, the SD card that didn’t seem to work was a Sharpen brand 8GB, 10 MB/S with a symbol that looks like a backwards or upside down ‘@‘ symbol (like a 6 in a circle). What spec should I be looking for?

And where do I find ‘firmware’?

BTW, if any of you guys ever needs expert advice in the field of medical technology, especially microbial genetics or genetic manipulation, I’m your man! :o