Scirocco Central

Hi guys.
I bought my first scirocco last month. It's a white 2012 Bluemotion TDi.

After owning it for a few weeks I thought I may have sacrificed too much performance for economy. I got it remapped last week and am really happy with the results. Obviously I am slightly worried certain engine components won't last as long but only time will tell..

I have the RNS 315 fitted (I'm presuming it's the 315 as it only has 6 buttons instead of . The analogue radio stations have crap signals and even Radio 1 needs retuning on my 30 mile drive to work. I've seen RNS 510's for sale on the 'Bay for around £800 but I've also seen RNS 315's with DAB..?

My question is what do I need to get DAB?

Thanks in advance for any reply's.

Any Radio is available with dab as an added extra. You will need the DAB aerial also. Depending on how much you spend on the unit this may be included. The aerial can sit in the rear window (check ebay link below)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-Oe ... 4181d38bdb

So basically your cheapest option would be to purchase the RCD 510 (DAB Version which I think are around the 200 mark) (you may also need the dab aerial unless already supplied), however, you would lose bluetooth capability unless you have a bluetooth module which you definitely don't as you have the RNS 315! You would also lose sat nav.... So total is £200 (unit) + £50-£80 (Antenna) so around £250-£280

Your mid price option is to purchase the RNS 315 with DAB which would simply require you to purchase the unit (RNS 315 DAB) and a DAB aerial (unless supplied with the unit). The RNS 315 DAB goes for about 270-300 and you probably will need to buy dab aerial/antenna which may cost 50-80 quid. So total is around £350 - £380!

Final is go all out and buy the rns 510 with dab functionality which is basically all in around 600 plus bluetooth module and dab antenna you could be look at total of over £750-£800!


hope that helps!

I have a RCD510 DAB sitting on my desk as upgraded to a RNS510 DAB.

Hi

Thanks for your speedy and comprehensive reply.

I definitely have a RNS 310 or 315 as opposed to a RCD and wouldn't be interested in downgrading and losing Bluetooth and Sat Nav.

I have talked with my local VW dealer since posting this message i was told that an OEM DAB kit recently released is available including VAT and installation for a smudge under £350. Not exactly cheap but may be the way to go. Or I could simply stream the DAB through my iphone via an app for free...

Don't 2012 cars have dab as standard?

Apparently not! I'm only given the option of AM or FM... After having done research it turns out that the RNS 315 DAB is an added extra at factory level. I'm assuming my car doesn't have the DAB aerial fitted but I haven't checked. If it has then I'll just swap my RNS 315 for one which has got DAB. If not then I'm looking at the upgrade from VW. Costly but I think it'll be worth it.

I tried my streaming from an iphone app idea yesterday and it worked brilliantly until my phone signal dropped out!

Just a quickie. Is there a way of seeing if my car has the DAB aerial fitted without ripping the car to pieces? Might be a stupid question but there are lines going up both the rear side windows..? Didn't know if these black lines were heating elements or the integrated aerials as I've read on some earlier forum threads, but I've never had a car with heating side windows.

If the head unit dosnt have dab then you won't have the dab antenna/amplifier.

W'll that answers my question then. Thanks. Gonna have to go the expensive route.

So I assume the black lines in the rear side windows are heater elements for de-icing/ de-humidifying?

I do have a contact that deals in OEM stereo's. Got my RNS510 DAB from a 2012 car for £380 delivered with GPS antenna and DVD in motion activated.

Dubvrs wrote:I do have a contact that deals in OEM stereo's. Got my RNS510 DAB from a 2012 car for £380 delivered with GPS antenna and DVD in motion activated.

That's very cheap??

With Bluetooth..?

The 510 doesn't have integrated Bluetooth, you'll need a separate module for it.

simon647 wrote:With Bluetooth..?

I had already retro fitted Bluetooth to my RCD510. OEM Bluetooth was £200 for a retrofit kit.

PS guys some rcd 315's have INTEGRATED DAB. No need for external aerial!!!

lewihoga wrote:PS guys some rcd 315's have INTEGRATED DAB. No need for external aerial!!!

Yes there is, the rear of the units have 2 aerial inputs, 1 is for AM/FM the ther is a dedicated digital DAB aerial, with your it you will get little to no reception

I've been reading around but a little confused and wanted to clarify - The RNS510 units that have shipped are they all DAB enabled? and you simply have to upgrade the firmware and install a DAB aerial?

yellowplum wrote:I've been reading around but a little confused and wanted to clarify - The RNS510 units that have shipped are they all DAB enabled? and you simply have to upgrade the firmware and install a DAB aerial?

Nah, not all RNS510s are DAB, you have to buy the one that specifically says so in the specs

dimexi wrote:

yellowplum wrote:I've been reading around but a little confused and wanted to clarify - The RNS510 units that have shipped are they all DAB enabled? and you simply have to upgrade the firmware and install a DAB aerial?

Nah, not all RNS510s are DAB, you have to buy the one that specifically says so in the specs

Not sure - I didn't order it - so without ripping the unit out and looking at it anyway you can tell otherwise?

simon647 wrote:W'll that answers my question then. Thanks. Gonna have to go the expensive route.

So I assume the black lines in the rear side windows are heater elements for de-icing/ de-humidifying?

No, they work as the radio aerial (side window only)

The DAB amplifier is sat below one of the rear windows behind the door card. There is a thread on here with info on that. search DAB amplifier

If that's correct then all I need is an amplifier and swap my RNS 315 for one which has DAB... That's kinda what I was getting at to begin with.

My local VW dealer has got back to me and said that the new kit from VW has an external DAB aerial and and a separate remote and screen. That's not what I want.

Hopefully I can buy an amplifier and swap units and voila...