Soundpack, what does it include!?!?

[Ianmeister]

Hi

I'm collecting my new Golf GTI Mk5 this weekend and one of the options I ordered was the Radio system RCD 500, including front loading 6 disc autochanger with Volkswagen soundpack at £675.

The guy in the dealership seemed quite vague on what this included so could someone please tell me how I can visually tell whether this has been included or whether I have just the standard RCD 500 with 6 disk changer?

Any photos or the VW option codes would be great!

Thank you
Ianmeister

[GTiMK5]

Cant answer your question, I have the 6 disc changer mounted in the centre armrest (although its disconnected) but not sure about the soundpack. I would insist that the dealer finds out more about it etc, this is what you pay your money for and as we all know at VW we pay a premium over some other makes etc and for this premium we should expect a knowledgeable dealer etc.

Bet this week is draggin like fook for you at the moment but it is worth the wait, you will enjoy in a big way.

What is the rest of your spec?

[Mr Blonde]

Ian,

I've got mixed news for you I'm afraid. I have the RCD500 6disc plus 'soundpack' and I have some big issues with it. I took delivery last week and straight away I was indoors to find some good cds etc (I like my music and felt the extra dough was worth spending - though I couldn't find a dealer that really knew what the hell it was!).

The good news is that what you are getting is definitely an uprated amp or amps and perhaps some more hefty speakers. The bad news is that (in my car) the doors are unable to 'take it' and something major seems to be vibrating with the bass (not turned to max - just left on std, right in the middle) which is driving me mad and making unhappy  . If it only happened when the volume levels were high etc etc - I could maybe forgive it. I'm getting the vibration at even fairly low levels. (The main problem is with the drivers door)

The car went to a dealer on Monday (not even a week old) to have it sorted. At lunchtime - I get the 'we can't make it do that' call (which can be translates as 'we don't want to bother with this job, its warranty work and we only get a pittance from VW for our efforts, which are more profitably served undertaking prime work')

The story is not finished yet - and I would be very interested to hear from you with regards to any similar problems you might have. 

Regards

[dutch]

I'll agree with that, and if I turn it up on anything with a lot of bass, I get vibration on both doors. Am planning on taking it back to sort out.

My problem seems to be the aluminium strip along the door is vibrating against the plastic.

Apart from that, its going well...apart from a flat tyre that cost me £160 to replace 

[pregamon]

I've had the same problem too. Vibrating sound from both doorseven at low volumes with anything that sounds bass-y. will be glad if anyone knows of a solution for it!

[wlscullion]

I am very interested in this thread as I took delivery of a new GTI with soundpak last week. In my previous Mark 4 GTI I had the standard stereo plus I upgraded the main front speakers with a pair of Pioneer speakers which cost either around £100 or around £200 (cant remember for sure but definately no more than £200) . For this there was a very significant improvement in sound quality deeper base , able to handle higher volumes without sounding harsh etc. This time I deciced to go for the upgraded system with Soundpack at atotal cost of something like £675 (approx) above standard equipement although I only had a vague idea of what I would get for my money. I have been disappointed with the sound quality , it is not nearly as good as my mark 4 with upgraded speakers , the front doors and back panels (3 door model) vibrate with any song with a lot of bass even with the bass set in the middle of the range and at only moderate volumes but also the general sound quality is not as good as I expected for the money. You cannot hear where the £675 has gone. My dealer was not helpful so I phoned the customer service number on VW UK website and they confirmed according to their records my car had been fitted with the soundpack which includes an uprated 8 channel amp (whatever that means ) and uprated main front speakers. They advised me to ask my dealer to listen to the standard unit alongside mine which I did using a GTI demonstrater , I was able to convince myself that my system sounde better than the standard one but not by much. Both cars had some vibration on songs with high Bass possible sl. worse in mine. I am left therefore rather disappointed that I got very little for my extra money and would have been far better taking the car to a specialist car HI Fi dealer where I am now sure I would have got much better sound quality for less money. I will be interested to hear if anyone has any luck getting a dealer to deal successfully with the vibrating door panels as it just sounds the type of problem dealers will not be interested in. I can just imagine them taking the car for a day to look at the problem at great inconvenience to myself and nothing changing and if I complain further they will take it for another day etc etc
I wonder if anumber of us have this problem if it is not possible to jointly contact VW UK
Otherwise very happy with car (also got DSG automatic with paddle shift change on steering wheel )

[Mr Blonde]

wlscullion - I totally agree with you chap! The money spent on the VW 'soundpack' is money wasted and should be spent with a reputable sound specialist (who would probably also go to the lengths of insulating the door cavities etc).

For info, the vibrations got me so mad the other day, I started 'popping' some of the trim off (starting with the plastic insert where the leccy window controls sit) and can pretty much confirm there is no deadening material whatsoever (ie - take a box speaker apart and you will find it full of wadding) in the doors. This is something I may rectify (my poxy dealer certainly isn't interested) when I have a moment. If it works - I will advise. If it doesn't, I guess I'll just pretend I never got round to it yet

[Rog]

I got my one a few weeks ago.  I'm very pleased with it apart from the sound system which I think is not up to the same quality & standard as the rest of the car.  My last car was a mk4 GTI 1.8T.  I got it from Trade Sales (classed as an import) so came with no radio so I had an Alpine installed with 6 disc CD changer in the boot.  I kept the factory fitted speakers & the sound quality was way superior to my mk5 GTI but apart from the sound system the mk 5 GTI is in a class of it's own.  

[Me Mota]

Hi,

I've just picked my GTI up here in Aus, and ours come with the RCD300 with 10 speakers. Not too bad actually, but I have the door rattle problem, and it's killing me! It's getting worse and worse, so I'm hoping someone's come up with a fix, or preferably had a positive response from your dealer....?

Would appreciate any updates.

Cheers

[Mk2 Runout edition]

Fill the doors with expanding foam, available from all good diy shops.