Best Options for a MK5 Golf Stereo upgrade?

[jp_turbo]

Did a google search and the usual Mk6 RNS510 comes up but cant seem to source one with the coding pre-installed on the system to prevent battery drain.

I just want Bluetooth,streaming audio from my phone (spotify) and the phone buttons on the steering controls to work...

Oh and be under £300!!!

Cheers

[shtu]

Rather than a (mediocre) OEM "upgrade" unit, have a look at some of the aftermarket options, eg the Pioneer one on the first page of,

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=...


Keep the original and refit at resale to keep the dubbers happy.

[jp_turbo]

shtu said:

Rather than a (mediocre) OEM "upgrade" unit, have a look at some of the aftermarket options, eg the Pioneer one on the first page of,

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=...


Keep the original and refit at resale to keep the dubbers happy.

Does the steering controls work too?

[Belle427]

I put a single din head unit in mine as was not interested in nav and having to alter the can coding etc, had to buy the in dash fascia adapter from vw but it had a nice compartment underneath for your phone etc.
I didnt hook any controls up but that should not be a big issue with a harness adapter.

[va1o]

I retrofitted an RNS 310 when I had my Mk5. Interestingly this unit doesn't cause battery drain but it's not very well documentented. Cost well under £300 and that was back in 2014 so I'd expect to be cheaper now. Makes the interior seem much more modern whilst still OEM, and the Nav worked well.

[jp_turbo]

va1o said:

I retrofitted an RNS 310 when I had my Mk5. Interestingly this unit doesn't cause battery drain but it's not very well documentented. Cost well under £300 and that was back in 2014 so I'd expect to be cheaper now. Makes the interior seem much more modern whilst still OEM, and the Nav worked well.

Does this unit have Bluetooth phone features, allow streaming Audio and the steering functions to work?

Thanks for you replies guys

[MDMA .]

Just get a late revision version RNS510. You'll not have any issues. Or do the firmware update - http://www.my-gti.com/3374/volkswagen-rns-510-firm...

[jp_turbo]

MDMA . said:

Just get a late revision version RNS510. You'll not have any issues. Or do the firmware update - http://www.my-gti.com/3374/volkswagen-rns-510-firm...

Out of my budget mate unless I can get one for £300...

They all seem to be £500+

[MDMA .]

jp_turbo said:

MDMA . said:

Just get a late revision version RNS510. You'll not have any issues. Or do the firmware update - http://www.my-gti.com/3374/volkswagen-rns-510-firm...

Out of my budget mate unless I can get one for £300...

They all seem to be £500+

I know a lad with a breakers. He has one or two at the moment. £180 but would need the code from VW. They should give you it FOC but some dealers charge £10. Once the code punched in, it'll save it.

[va1o]

jp_turbo said:

Does this unit have Bluetooth phone features, allow streaming Audio and the steering functions to work?

Thanks for you replies guys

I think you need the 9W7 module to go with it for Bluetooth. Or buy the RNS 315 which includes it built in, but can't talk to the instrument cluster display in a Mk5.

[Dr G]

Totally doable and weirdly I set myself this week exactly the same budget to do exactly the same job.

I've just bought for my wife's MK5 Golf:

RNS 315 (used) £220
GPS antenna £8
Bluetooth mic £8
DAB antenna £15

I'll also order a 2018 map card for ~£30 once it's in and happy.

£281 on parts, an earlier car may need a Can Gateway upgrade but I've noticed a couple of guys on the MK5 forum offering to sell a used one, pre-coded for not a lot of money. Luckily her car is a '58 and has a new enough Can Gateway that battery drains aren't an issue (I beleive anything 'L' onwards is fine, hers is 'Q').

I'll probably slip technician at work some beer money to fit it for me on a Saturday but it's certainly a DIYable job and taking MK5s apart is very well documented online anyway.

I did look seriously at an RCD 330 (widely available for >~£150) but the lack of DAB and common complaints about the radio put me off. I also prefer with navigation not to be 100% reliant on having a data connection. Drop-out using web radio over the cellular network could also prove annoying. I may have got slightly lucky on price with the used 315 purchased from a friend but oddly one just popped up on my local Facebook buy/sell page for exactly this amount.

[Fun Bus]

MDMA . said:

Just get a late revision version RNS510. You'll not have any issues. Or do the firmware update - http://www.my-gti.com/3374/volkswagen-rns-510-firm...

I think my RNS510 is well overdue a firmware update. “Having a go” myself at doing it fills me with fear of ending up with the need for a new head unit.

[va1o]

Dr G said:

an earlier car may need a Can Gateway upgrade but I've noticed a couple of guys on the MK5 forum offering to sell a used one, pre-coded for not a lot of money. Luckily her car is a '58 and has a new enough Can Gateway that battery drains aren't an issue (I beleive anything 'L' onwards is fine, hers is 'Q').

The RNS 310 seemed to worked with the older Gateway, as my 55-plate GTI had no battery drain even when left parked up for a couple of weeks.

I know the RCD/ RNS 510 models definitely suffer drain on old Gateways, but I'm not sure its documented for the RNS 315

Also this is a useful list which shows which RNS 315 variants include Bluetooth/ DAB etc. https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/287901-amund...

[markrtw]

On the Mk5 golf GTI forum there is a guy by the name pashka that supplies rns315/510 with all the bits (GPS / microphone etc) quite reasonably. That's where I got my 315 from when I had my Mk5. It sounded a hell of a lot better than the original stereo and had DAB & Bluetooth. If you have to swap the CAN gateway module as well to avoid the battery drain, I found that to be quite straightforward. There are guys on there that can supply (& fit) on that forum too (Inc the aforementioned chap above).