Peugeot 407; Upgrading from RD4 to RT5/RNEG Is it worth it vs cheap Android unit?

[prodigy2205]

Hey everyone,

I have a Peugeot 407 with the standard RD4 radio and I'm looking to add Bluetooth. My main goal is just to get Bluetooth working, but I also want to keep things looking OEM, so I'm not really keen on sticking a generic AliExpress Android screen in the dash.

I've been looking into swapping the RD4 for an RT5 or RNEG unit since it has Bluetooth built in and looks factory. From what I've read it's not a straightforward plug-and-play, you need to swap the whole black center console trim (heater controls, vents, gear surround etc.), sort out antenna adapters, a 4-wire screen mod, and get it coded with DiagBox(which I luckily have in access to).

A few questions:

1. How hard is the swap really? Is it a weekend DIY job or is it more involved than that?
2. How straightforward is the wiring?
3. Is it actually worth it over just buying a Bluetooth adapter?
4. Anyone regret going down the RNEG route vs just keeping the original unit?

Main priority is Bluetooth, secondary is keeping the OEM look. Any experience or advice appreciated!

[mickthemaverick]

I'd go for keeping originality just by adding a bluetooth to FM device and thus connect your bluetooth. I have one like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/197529805744

[ozfrog]

It's giving me problems that I don't fully understand now, but I upgraded my RD4 to the Bluetooth version in my 2007 model 307 several years ago. I'm not at home now, so I can't check models, but I think that Bluetooth model is called the RD45.

I don't know either the RT5 or RNEG models you have mentioned.

The upgrade was far easier than everyone told me it would be. I didn't need to do any re-coding of anything, despite being told that I would. (However, I think that's what the problem is now. I'll get to look at that 'soon'!)

From memory, you'll need:

• a microphone suitable for in-car use.

• the visual display unit capable of displaying 4 columns

• plenty of cable

• even more patience than you had cable to pull out the trim, route the cables and replace the trim

Despite what Mick says above, I'd avoid those types of things as much as possible. His unit looks pretty fancy - and expensive. I've owned many similar units that haven't looked as fancy, but have been just as expensive. They haven't proved to me to be long-lasting positive experiences. I'd go for the upgraded RD45(?) every time.

For your specific questions,

1. I can't answer for the 407. But for the 307, it was up and running in a day. It didn't necessarily look pretty, but it was up and running! The tidying-up touches came later.

• In Australia, there's a company called Aerpro that sells all these adapters to make non-standard (read 'European') cars comply with the Japanese 'standard' of wiring and plug fittings. Aerpro likes to market its stuff as its own, but I have my suspicions that a lot of it comes out of Europe. After I had spent hundreds of dollars buying my adapters, I was at a French Car Show, and one of the entrants was telling me that he bought the same stuff from Ali Express for about 5% of the price I had paid.

• In my opinion, yes, it is 100% worth it over buying a Bluetooth adapter.

• As I said, I've not heard of RNEG. But I definitely don't regret doing the RD45 upgrade.

And I apologise for my lack of numbering 2-4. I don't know why I couldn't get that to work properly. Obviously a user error.

[mickthemaverick]

Further to Andrew's comment about my unit. I don't consider £27 to be expensive at all. I have had that unit in the car for 4 years now and it performs faultlessly. It holds my contact list enablling me to scroll, select and call anyone in there. It has a full DAB receiver which did require the installation of its antenna in the front windscreen, and relays any music output from my phone or usb stick to the car's stereo via FM . Works very well with single button press to answer calls and rotary knob for selection of radio stations or contacts.

I consider it an excellent value plug and play solution and leaves the car as it was designed to look.

[xantia_v6]

The easiest upgrade from RD4 is to the RD45 which has Bluetooth, and worked quite well for me. For a 2007 car, you would need to update the radio display panel to one from a later car. Read the topics at: viewforum.php?f=52 to see what is entailed.

[ozfrog]

Further to Andrew's comment about my unit. I don't consider £27 to be expensive at all. I have had that unit in the car for 4 years now and it performs faultlessly. It holds my contact list enabling me to scroll, select and call anyone in there. It has a full DAB receiver which did require the installation of its antenna in the front windscreen, and relays any music output from my phone or usb stick to the car's stereo via FM .

I did say that it looks to be fancy and expensive, not that it is expensive.

Okay, your unit does DAB; DAB hasn’t really taken off in Australia, or maybe jus because I don’t live in a heavily populated area, there has never been a need for me to look into it.

FM transmission of sound from device to car audio system is one of the biggest reasons I would steer away from that type of unit. Finding a vacant FM frequency is, in my experience, one of the most frustrating and difficult things to do in a car.

Just my 2.2 cents worth.