RNS510 - factory or after-market?

[branchespark]

While thinking about the spec for my GTD that's on order, it made me wonder something - which optional extras are actually cheaper if you get them after-market?

For instance, the RNS510 is a whopping £1,700 (on 2010 prices), but you can pick a brand new one up for £700 - that's a grand cheaper. Is it really that simple? Aside from telling the car it now has the RNS and not the bog-standard radio, what else would be "missing"? Same goes for the Bluetooth.

Strikes me that aside from Xenons, sunroof and leather, most other stuff can be added afterwards.

Just a thought!

[am1w]

Options for Factory Order: 18" wheels, ACC, Sunroof, Bi-Xenons, Front and Rear Parking Sensors and Rear Camera, Luxury Pack, Winter Pack, DSG.

Options by Retro-fit: RNS510, Bluetooth, Leather (£1000 from UK leather trimmers and it is full leather unlike from VW, though the Jacara Cloth to my eyes is far better looking).

So quite a lot from the factory is worth ordering.

[gizzywizzy]

Darren mortygttdi is the one to ask, he has retrofitted almost everything you can think of to his mk5 and has done loads of mods for many of us on this forum, for example he retrofitted an RNS510 and rear view camera for me, I think the 2 together came to just under £1000 +an undisclosed payment for the work that Darren did.

He is a superb specialist on VW's and an extremely fast and efficient worker.  Send him a PM and I'm sure he will help you.

[branchespark]

Wow - thanks for the replies.

I'm interested in the leather bit, as that means some nearly-news might be perfect for me! Any info on such companies before I go and Google? Any experience?

[am1w]

Wow - thanks for the replies.
I'm interested in the leather bit, as that means some nearly-news might be perfect for me! Any info on such companies before I go and Google? Any experience?

There has been a thread sometime ago about leather trimmers.
I don't know which part of the country you are from, so cannot help you with local trimmers. You may Google for these.

The company which is very well known is Trimstar. They collect and deliver your vehicle and it takes them about five days to do a complete re-trim. About £995 +VAT. If you want a leather headlining, then this is an extra £450. They are very experienced in re-trimming VWs from what I have heard.

http://www.trim-star.co.uk/

[branchespark]

Thanks am1w for the info. Maybe I can get a suede insert for extra grip!

[branchespark]

I've read the retro-fitting Xenons is out of the question. What about the colour MFD and cruise control? And the rear lights on a nearly-new!

The lure of a factory order is getting in the way of my thinking again, sorry!

[am1w]

I've read the retro-fitting Xenons is out of the question. What about the colour MFD and cruise control? And the rear lights on a nearly-new!
The lure of a factory order is getting in the way of my thinking again, sorry!

Bi-Xenons can be retro-fitted by Darren but it ends up around £400 more than the factory order.
I made the huge mistake of not ordering them from the factory.

Cruise control is cheaper as a retro-fit from the dealer or Darren. This is what I did through the dealer.

The colour MFD, I don't like as it looks a bit OTT and is a waste of money. Also, can be retro-fitted but why bother.

[Snoopy]

Most thing excluding the satnav are more expensive to retrofit.
The factory satnav iirc comes with the roof ariel.


The cruise control on 2011 cars iirc is now more expensive then factory fit as its different to the earlier version.

Remember if you want aftermarket leather its worth paying for the winter pack so you have the heated seats.

[Neil gti]

I had the RCD 510 from the factory but with phone prep and mine came with the Ariel,
Retrofitted RNS and sold the RCD