alternate vw radio upgrade

[jgraham93]

hi,

Ive just brought a scirocco with what i believe to be the rcd510 installed in the car. everything is in the for bluetooth (steering wheel, option on radio) but the bluetooth module isn't actually installed. of course i want bluetooth in there but I'm contemplating upgrading the radio to either the rns 510 or a spin of model as such I've found this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261381282138? ... EBIDX%3AIT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My question is what would be the better option? the vw made upgrade or if any of you have opted for a different brand? also what the best way to go about installing the bluetooth in the car?

sorry i now this is probably a generic question but from what I've read people have differing success even with the vw factory upgrade?

any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[benny1703]

Hi,

I recently upgraded my rcd510 to the rns510 and installed a bluetooth module as well. I picked up a new rns510 LED version for £400 off ebay and the bluetooth module cost £140 so its quite expensive in total, but straight forward to install. Hardest part for me was routing the microphone through the A-pillar and into the map lights. With the aftermarket one you need to find a suitable place for the microphone, like the top of the A-pillar.

I am happy I went for this option as I would be 100% sure that it would all work as expected with the MFD and steering wheel buttons. Although you do need someone with VCDS to code in the new unit/module, they still work plug and play but wont work with the MFD initially. Sound quality isn't different between the RCD510 and RNS510 in my opinion ( I have the standard speakers).

If you decide to get a bluetooth module then you will need to get one that works with A2DP to stream music etc. Something like this which has all the wiring and microphone included:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-SEAT-SKODA ... 3f51592c4b

Here's a guide to installing them that I followed which is worth a read:

http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php ... 0305fa0133

I cant speak for the aftermarket units but im sure someone who has one will let you know!

[jgraham93]

cheers for the reply! the walk through is quality! how long did it take you to do? also the vagcom cable, is that a matter of plugging it into the car car and then into a comp then it boots everything up? or do you need a program or something? sorry it lost me around then

[benny1703]

Yeah it really helped me doing mine, just followed it step by step. Took around 1.5/2 hours from start to finish, I was being really cautious with the wiring and routing the mic over the roof lining was fiddly.

There is a socket located in the driver side footwell. It is a USB cable and a bit of software needed, then just connect it to a laptop. Its what is used by garages etc for diagnostics/clearing fault codes. But for the radio, it just enables the navigation page on the MFD (also the audio page for me as mine was removed when i installed the RNS510). There's a few cool things that you can also do with it by altering the factory configuration such as; needle sweep, big speedo, alarm beep on locking/unlocking, rain closing windows and some other bits. I don't have a vagcom myself but another user on here helped me code it in.

The cable looks like this:

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCuCAN.html

There's also a VCDS section in the mod-squad on this forum, it may be worth having a browse through that and see if anyone local can help if you decide to go for the RNS510

I guess the advantage of the aftermarket ones is that you have bluetooth built into it so you dont have to worry about the additional module.

[jgraham93]

thank you very much! thats settled it then, the runs it is. i hope to order it all in the next few weeks and set it all up! hopefully it will be as successful as yours.
ill keep you informed of how it goes and when its all order!
much appreciated for the help and your time

[benny1703]

Awesome, if you have any questions send me a PM and ill try my best to help! when looking for the RNS510 keep an eye out for different versions there are LCD and LED ones (LED are the newer) with different software codes. if i remember right, mine was SW5270, version P. In fact, here's the ebay add of what i bought:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-VW-RN ... 818422814?

it comes with the latest maps (V12) GPS antenna and video in motion enabled. Also make sure they give you the security code for it. on some, the 4 digit code is printed on top of the unit which i only found out after installing it as i was expecting a seperate bit of card with it on haha.

[jgraham93]

ha thanks! i all do definitely no doubt aha. thats the one ill buy then when the money comes in then i can start to fit it all ... hopefully haha. thanks! you've been a great help and expect a pm off me join the near future haha