Chinese VW RCD330 Carplay unit - any experience?

[MrBig]

Looking at the various options to fit carplay into the wife's 2013 Golf convertible. It has parking sensors (that display on the factory headunit) and steering wheel controls, so would like to retain their functionality.

These RCD330 units keep appearing on ebay for about £220.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Desay-Original-CarPlay-...

The story appears to be that they are/were OEM fitment in China, but they are removed for upgrades, presumably at the dealer, but I have no evidence to back this up.

Hoping that someone might have bought one of these and can advise how well it works or at least have some more in-depth technical knowledge please?

Thanks

[shtu]

They appear to be legitimate VW units, but there are choices to make about what particular one to go for, http://rcd330plus.com/showthread.php?tid=56

[MrBig]

Very useful link, thank you very much.

[va1o]

I think if I remember right these don't support RDS for UK Radio, so you won't see the station name. Apart from that they look to be very capable units for the money and keep with the OEM look/ feel.

[Dr G]

That's correct, no DAB option either so you really are 100% reliant on the mobile data network for anything beyond very basic functions.

[MrBig]

Just to update you all. It’s here and was fitted in about 15 minutes apparently (the wife did it). Looks factory, CarPlay seems to work, parking sensor visuals work, and the radio station names do display. Under £200 delivered. Saving about £500 on the other Pioneer/Sony etc options that we were researching. I’ll keep you updated but all seems good at the moment.

[Dr G]

I'd certainly be interested in some real-world feedback

[MrBig]

Well, its a bit late now I know, but the unit was so good in the Golf that I've just fitted one into my Passat CC too.

No issues, they work really well, look factory and even when you don't want to use carplay the bluetooth connectivity is spot on. I had the RNS510 nav in my car and it took minutes to connect to my phone and was a PITA to stream music. The 330 connects in seconds and will stream my music, podcasts and even apple radio without having to plug in.

Be aware of the later 360 version though. This is apparently a different VW unit with an aftermarket front end glued on to make it look like a 330. Some of the reviews are less than favourable. 330 has a line in socket, 360 does not so they are easily identified.

Edited by MrBig on Thursday 7th January 11:04

Edited by MrBig on Thursday 7th January 11:29

[AI1601]

I have heard that there a lot of fakes out there now so buy with caution.

[OPOGTS]

Thinking of doing this, has anybody got any links to items they’ve bought?

[MrBig]

AI1601 said:

I have heard that there a lot of fakes out there now so buy with caution.

Absolutely. The so called ‘RCD360’ is a fake. Apparently some elements of them are lifted from a genuine VW unit but the fascia and some electric components are aftermarket. The general consensus is that you’ll be ok with an RCD330 which has the 3.5mm AUX socket in the middle under the screen. If it doesn’t have the aux in then it’s not genuine.

[OPOGTS]

MrBig said:

Absolutely. The so called ‘RCD360’ is a fake. Apparently some elements of them are lifted from a genuine VW unit but the fascia and some electric components are aftermarket. The general consensus is that you’ll be ok with an RCD330 which has the 3.5mm AUX socket in the middle under the screen. If it doesn’t have the aux in then it’s not genuine.

Do you link to where you bought your last one?

Prices seem to be up at £400 on your original link?

[MrBig]

I can't find it now, looks like it was too long ago for it to stay in my ebay history, sorry It came from Belgium though, so might be worth doing an ebay search on RCD330 but UK and EU only.

[Scobblelotcher]

Bump, anyone done this recently? Any views/feedback? Thanks.

[MrBig]

Still running two of these without any issues. If you are in the Midlands I’d be happy to give you a demo.

[Scobblelotcher]

MrBig said:

Still running two of these without any issues. If you are in the Midlands I’d be happy to give you a demo.

Thanks MrBig, appreciate it although I’m on the south coast.

Do you recall where you got yours from?

[MrBig]

I bought one on eBay from a source in Belgium. Sadly that was a year ago so I can’t find the listing details anymore. The 2nd was bought used via Facebook marketplace I’m afraid.

If you are on Facebook there is a good group ‘RCD330 and RCD340 resources” they should be able to point you in the right direction.

[Scobblelotcher]

MrBig said:

I bought one on eBay from a source in Belgium. Sadly that was a year ago so I can’t find the listing details anymore. The 2nd was bought used via Facebook marketplace I’m afraid.

If you are on Facebook there is a good group ‘RCD330 and RCD340 resources” they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Appreciate the advice, I will take a look at Facebook.

[Dr G]

The only thing still turning me off fitting one to Mrs Dr G's car is the lack of DAB that I know she'd not be pleased about not having

[MrBig]

Agreed. It’s a definite minus point for the 330. At the time I bought mine to get something to do the same job but with DAB was an additional £650. There may be cheaper options now, I haven’t really looked. The Alpine and Kenwood units were fabulous but I can’t stomach spending nearly £1k on in car entertainment (any more!!)