Anyone here retrofitted RNS 510 to a VAG car?

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Caporegime
Joined
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Warwickshire
Hello

We specced the standard RCD 310 when we ordered our Golf back in 2009, so now it's out of original manufacturer's warranty, I'm slightly less paranoid about fiddling with things and am thinking of upgrading the radio. This will probably mean the latest RNS 510 touchscreen Satnav jobbie that I can get my hands on.

I've looked around and there's a wealth of information on the web about the actual process. It sounds like a straight swap, plug and play apart from some VAG com re-coding to get the turn by turn instructions on the highline display.

However I have some other questions that I haven't covered off, so if anyone here can help that'd be great:

- Which model Rns should I be looking at? There seem to be so many versions I have no idea which I need.
- Any recommendations as to places to source the unit?
- Highly subjective question, but is it actually worth it? I don't use nav that much, but fancy the extra media functionality for music and videos etc. I think it'll improve the look of the car and make it more saleable.
- What are my best options for adding dab radio and blue tooth once the unit is installed?
- Where's the best place to buy the vag com bits and bobs? Do I just need the cable and a cd?

Not sure how much non-Audi vag knowledge there is on here, but I might be lucky!
 
I did this, it was VERY easy.


- Which model Rns should I be looking at? There seem to be so many versions I have no idea which I need.

They are all the same so just get the newest one you can.


- Any recommendations as to places to source the unit?

Ebay

- Highly subjective question, but is it actually worth it? I don't use nav that much, but fancy the extra media functionality for music and videos etc. I think it'll improve the look of the car and make it more saleable.

yes best upgrade ever.

- What are my best options for adding dab radio and blue tooth once the unit is installed?
Dab would be nice but blue tooth I feel is essential.

- Where's the best place to buy the vag com bits and bobs? Do I just need the cable and a cd?

no idea
 
I've looked into it for friends before, and yes, it does appear to be a straight forward unit swap with a bit of coding. What I couldn't find a definitive answer for however, was if any of the components have CP (component protection), that needs dealership coding (VCDS can't remove CP).

I guess eBay is as good a place as any to source the actual unit (not sure on which model you'd actually need), as far as I'm aware, DAB is part of the actual RNS unit (so if you want DAB, find an RNS 510 with DAB), then you'd need something like http://www.kufatec.de/shop/en/Retrofit-kit-DAB-/-DAB-antenna-module to finish the job.

As for VCDS (formerly VAG-COM), then yes, you just need the cable, it comes with software, or you can download it from Ross-Tech.
 
It is just a straight swap, you only need to code it if the unit has came from a car with a different instrument cluster as the white or full colour clusters use the bap protocol, the older red ones don't.

You can't get an RNS510 with DAB or bluetooth built in, there is no factory option for DAB with the RNS510. You can add the factory Bluetooth system by adding the module/microphone and cabling. An easier option is to buy the 3rd party mobridge or fiscon system these offer systems that work exactly the same as the factory setup but come as a plug and play solution.

I think the system is worth it as it works well and makes the dash look much better. If you have the appropriate modules else where the climate control and parking sensors will display data on the RNS510, you can also add the reversing camera that pops out the rear badge.
 
It's rare, but AFAIK the "Version P" release of RNS 510 had DAB.

They certainly appear to have the correct black "FARKA" connector on the back, and in some cases is even labelled DAB or DAB+.
 
paradigm said:
It's rare, but AFAIK the "Version P" release of RNS 510 had DAB.

They certainly appear to have the correct black "FARKA" connector on the back, and in some cases is even labelled DAB or DAB+.
Click to expand...

Nice, didn't realise they had added DAB (mine has the connector as well but no module added internally) I will order the version P RNS510 and report back. They seem to go for £800 ish and a few have been sold via mk5golfgti.co.uk

As far as I can see the part number is 1T0 035 686 C for the DAB RNS510 despite being referred to as version P
 
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