Advice on replacement head unit with sat nav, bluetooth, dab for 2015 Cali

[LittleBlueOnTour]

Hi there, this is my first post on here, and after some time trawling this site and the internet i am confused.

In short I want to replace my rcd310 with a modern head unit (bluetooth hands free, sat nav, dab, less bothered about cd's, and i use apple devices). A key thing for me though is i want it to 'look right' on the dash, especially at night, with the red instruments and therefore thought a rns510 would be right, but have been put off by some sites suggesting it's old tech and slow.

I've looked on here and can only find older posts, and (1) wondered whether people have some updated advice, and (2) whether people could recommend a installer in the north west.

Thanks in advance K

 

[reserves]

An RNS510 is wildly out of date.

A good mix of the 2 (fit and function) is the https://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/car/oem/vwc/DNX518VDABS/ this is made to fit the dash perfectly. I had this it’s fine.

Or go for a standard head unit (cheaper) will work perfectly and looks neat enough with the right surround.

Probably a bit far from you but maybe give Jason at Absolut 5 a call. What he doesn’t know about this probably isn’t worth knowing.

In my opinion a unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (wireless even better) will far out perform any other sat nav / stereo and will be future proof.

 

[LittleBlueOnTour]

Hi there, many thanks for replying. I spent quite a bit of time last night and found the Kenwood, then managed to find a number of threads on here. I am looking at it now.

Additionally though, I also heard the VW 'Discover Media MIB2' could also be installed. Would you (or anyone else) recommend this?

And thanks for the Absolut5 reference, I almost certainly will call Jason.

Again, thanks for the response. K

 

[Perfectos]

Hi there, many thanks for replying. I spent quite a bit of time last night and found the Kenwood, then managed to find a number of threads on here. I am looking at it now.

Additionally though, I also heard the VW 'Discover Media MIB2' could also be installed. Would you (or anyone else) recommend this?

And thanks for the Absolut5 reference, I almost certainly will call Jason.

Again, thanks for the response. K

MIb2 is the platform used by the VW discover media system in the T6

Try Satnav solutions (Chertsey)

SatNavSystems

Satnav Systems are the leading provider of OEM parts for Volkswagen and Audi cars in the UK. We provide a comprehensive mobile installation and backup

www.satnavsystems.com

Contact Hamid

they are a company with exceptional Custer service , able to supply and fit the discover media unit fitted to a T6 into a T5, which I belive they are the only company to be able to do this, ( in general, if it can be done they will know about it,) they carry out work for VW dealers.

 

[gogavin]

An RNS510 is wildly out of date.

A good mix of the 2 (fit and function) is the https://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/car/oem/vwc/DNX518VDABS/ this is made to fit the dash perfectly. I had this it’s fine.

Or go for a standard head unit (cheaper) will work perfectly and looks neat enough with the right surround.

Probably a bit far from you but maybe give Jason at Absolut 5 a call. What he doesn’t know about this probably isn’t worth knowing.

In my opinion a unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (wireless even better) will far out perform any other sat nav / stereo and will be future proof.

Did you have to upgrade anything else or was it just plug and play?

 

[LittleBlueOnTour]

MIb2 is the platform used by the VW discover media system in the T6

Try Satnav solutions (Chertsey)

SatNavSystems

Satnav Systems are the leading provider of OEM parts for Volkswagen and Audi cars in the UK. We provide a comprehensive mobile installation and backup

www.satnavsystems.com

Contact Hamid

they are a company with exceptional Custer service , able to supply and fit the discover media unit fitted to a T6 into a T5, which I belive they are the only company to be able to do this, ( in general, if it can be done they will know about it,) they carry out work for VW dealers.

Thanks for the response... i'll check them out.

 

[steve_b]

I got a Bluetooth dongle to plug into the back of my factory unit and used a phone cradle.

Obvs no sat nav but that's what the phone is for and I stream music from the phone, but very cheap and looks 100% stock.

 

[JohnnyAppleseed]

Hi there,

maybe give this guy a call. He's a specialist on VW tech. I found him to be impeccable.

Jamie Freeman

Automotive Technician BEng Performance Car Technology

Retrofit South West

Advanced Coding | Adaptation | Diagnostic | Retrofit Services for VAG Vehicles

t. 07930 505001 e. jamie@retrofitsw.co.uk w. retrofitsw.co.uk

 

[LittleBlueOnTour]

I got a Bluetooth dongle to plug into the back of my factory unit and used a phone cradle.

Obvs no sat nav but that's what the phone is for and I stream music from the phone, but very cheap and looks 100% stock.

Hi Steve, which one did you get?

 

[steve_b]

I got this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08L6QTTVY/?tag=eliteelect-21

Bluemusic which seems to be German and well regarded. Note that there are 4 choices. Pre and post 2010 and with and without microphone for phone connection. Plug and play, hardest thing was getting the head unit back in (tuck the dongle out of the way so the radio goes back flush). You need a set of removal tools to get the unit out, or do what I did and use the metal rails of a hanging file...

--edit-- actually I had to enlarge the hole in the earth strap so that it would fit over the pin on the back of my head unit, but that was a minor faff. just did it by hand with a drill and pliers. important to use the earth strap or apparently "bad things happen"

 

[2into1]

I got a Bluetooth dongle to plug into the back of my factory unit and used a phone cradle.

Obvs no sat nav but that's what the phone is for and I stream music from the phone, but very cheap and looks 100% stock.

+1 for this route. Cheaper, maintains OEM look and you have the full functionality of the phone, not the 60% you get through the head unit (I know they limit functionality to notionally improve safety, but I think there are downsides too)....and you get all that functionality without having to plug your phone in (unless you are looking at wireless integration).

 

[rod_vw]

Try talking to ABSOLUT5 AUDIO LIMITED for the possibilities of upgrades and more importantly what is currently available.

 

[reserves]

Did you have to upgrade anything else or was it just plug and play?

This was plug and play, the only thing you have to do is run the Mic, but this is straight forward.

 

[TheDoc]

MIb2 is the platform used by the VW discover media system in the T6

Try Satnav solutions (Chertsey)

SatNavSystems

Satnav Systems are the leading provider of OEM parts for Volkswagen and Audi cars in the UK. We provide a comprehensive mobile installation and backup

www.satnavsystems.com

Contact Hamid

they are a company with exceptional Custer service , able to supply and fit the discover media unit fitted to a T6 into a T5, which I belive they are the only company to be able to do this, ( in general, if it can be done they will know about it,) they carry out work for VW dealers.

Another good company is https://www.hazzydayz.com/
They’ve done some great work for me in the past on my R32.

 

[Jdorling]

I’ve just ordered a composition media unit with CarPlay which is usually for a t6 which has had its protection removed to work in my t5.1

 

[LittleBlueOnTour]

I’ve just ordered a composition media unit with CarPlay which is usually for a t6 which has had its protection removed to work in my t5.1

Sorry, what is a composition media unit?

 

[Jdorling]

Sorry, what is a composition media unit?

It’s the media unit of our a t6 think they had composition media and discovery media, both only work if you purchase from a vw retro fit specialist who is able to remove the protection which makes them only work in the vehicle they came out of

 

[Wildcamper]

We went to Absolute 5. They recommended a Pioneer unit to meet our needs. That was 3 years ago. Very happy with their recommendation but there will be updated kit on the market now. The unit fits in well with the van.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I got this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08L6QTTVY/?tag=eliteelect-21

Bluemusic which seems to be German and well regarded. Note that there are 4 choices. Pre and post 2010 and with and without microphone for phone connection. Plug and play, hardest thing was getting the head unit back in (tuck the dongle out of the way so the radio goes back flush). You need a set of removal tools to get the unit out, or do what I did and use the metal rails of a hanging file...

--edit-- actually I had to enlarge the hole in the earth strap so that it would fit over the pin on the back of my head unit, but that was a minor faff. just did it by hand with a drill and pliers. important to use the earth strap or apparently "bad things happen"

Fitted to my 2008 Golf today. Works brilliantly!
Thanks for recommending.

 

[LittleBlueOnTour]

It’s the media unit of our a t6 think they had composition media and discovery media, both only work if you purchase from a vw retro fit specialist who is able to remove the protection which makes them only work in the vehicle they came out of

Hi Jdorling. How are you getting on with your composition media unit? Did it need any VCDS m=work to work? Did you already have bluetooth in your Van. I'm moving in this direction now.