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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: Nino on 31 December 2023, 21:24
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Navigating the realm of Golf MK6 upgrades, whether you're a recent owner or a long-time enthusiast, demands a keen understanding of your car's model, be it the 1.4 Match/TSI, GTD, or GTi. If you've grown weary of the OEM radio's limitations and aspire to elevate your driving experience, this discourse is tailored precisely for you. I've meticulously addressed a spectrum of preferences, recognising that some ardently stick to OEM choices while others, akin to myself, revel in the allure of robust aftermarket solutions. The exposition unfolds across three distinct categories:
- OEM options
- OEM + options
- After Market options
OEM options
The Mk6 came believe it or not with 11 options from Factory.
- VW-Kenwood unit, also known as “DNX518VDABS”
- RCD210 (There were 2 different versions of this depending if you had Steering wheel controls)
- RCD310 (There where 3 different versions, depending on SW, and highline, midline etc)
- RNS315 (This one only came with Highline display)
- RCD510/RNS510 (Many versions of this head unit came out, 4 are listed but I actually think there were more, Hard drive and non-hard drive versions, CD/DVD Nav and non Nav to).
To be fair to VW, they did their best to cater for every owner and the OEM units mostly came fully equipped. I personally liked that all of the units supplied all had CD support and some of the 510’s even had DVD support.
The Kenwood really was a VW Optional extra, cost stupid money and from the research I have done into them, users complained of a laggy interface and functions failing.
My advice if you want to go down the OEM only route, try and get the latest version of the RNS510 unit, the main difference between RCD and RNS is, RCD is CD and no nav, RNS will be the DVD and Nav version in most cases.
The latest version I believe is: 1T0 035 680 P
OEM + options
Honestly, you can go to many places here, but I will stick with just two.
- RCD360
- RCD330+
The RCD330 units are VW units but from the research I have done, were only released in Asia mainly China.
They are fitted in the Polo’s and Golfs.
The RCD360 however IS NOT a VW unit, these are copies of the RCD330 but cheaper parts are used, the finish doesn’t match the dash, the buttons feel cheap and the letters on the button don’t fully luminate like they do on the RCD330’s – They also suffer with overheating and will only last you a year or so before breaking in all honestly. I personally had the RCD360 unit in my Edition 35 when I bought it. I decided to upgrade it to an RCD330+. The only reason to even consider an RCD360 is they are literally about quarter of the price of the RCD330+ you can pick these up between £100-200.
After spending out on the RCD330+ upgraded 1GB with Rear USB, after using it a few months, the one thing I will give it credit for is the OEM look and feel is spot on. With it having rear USB mod, I was able in install an OEM looking USB port in one of the spaces above the gear knob.
It does have a full VW sticker complete with part number and my VAGCOM/VCDS recognises it and let me alter the coding to turn off the auto reverse feature. (When you go into reverse, if you have a rear reversing camera it will display on this unit) I don’t have the camera so my screen would go blank while also muting my music.
Apple Carplay was seamless as is the Bluetooth and hands free. It was also noticeably faster than the previous RCD360 and didn’t lose connection like the RCD360 ether.
It works well with the Steering wheel controls too, I am sure you will agree it looks the part.
These units will also display and work with your parking sensors but won’t display your Aircon.
(https://i.ibb.co/Mgv2DZC/rcd.jpg)
For this reason, if you want Apply carplay and a few more features, I would recommend an RCD330+
However, I would strongly recommend that you buy the 1GB upgraded version, its so much faster, zero interface lag, Carplay, Bluetooth and Handsfree are instant. Rear USB is optional, I personally feel it’s a must but that’s me, Note: You don’t lose the USB on the front ether but it becomes a “Charge only” port.
Word of warning, only buy from https://www.rcd330.com/
There are many companies out there claiming to be selling the real deal on ebay and sites across the UK, these are sadly hard to tell if you are getting the real deal or a fake. All units sold by this website are real, this is where I got mine from but be prepared, they take about 4-5 weeks to arrive.
If you buy 2nd hand, ask to see there Sales receipt to prove they brought from this supplier, FYI, mine will be for sale soon.
Aftermarket options
I have done so much research in the after-market area for the MK6 platform, the list on this could be massive but for this guide, I will purely keep it to a few only, these are personal preference of course but I have chosen these units based on them working with the Golf’s infotainment system.
- Kenwood DNX518VDABS (Remember this?)
- Alpine X901D-G6
- Alpine X902D-G6
- Alpine X903D-G6
- Alpine iLX-702D
- Alpine iLX-705D
I know, there are a lot of Alpine units here and no Pioneer units listed, this is personal preference. After years of buying Pioneer units, I looked for one that would use the infotainment sections of the Golf, i.e show the Aircon, with the clocks etc and couldn’t find any on a few searches but Alpine do and in my opinion, are currently market leaders in the aftermarket audio when it comes to head units.
So the 901, 902 & 903 units are now all sadly discontinued, they were/are the only 9” units from Alpine and honestly when installed, look amazing as I am sure you will agree…
(https://www.alpine.co.uk/fileadmin/images/MainNavigation/Products/Productinformation/22_Alpine_Style/VW-Golf-6/X903D-G6/Alpine-Style-Navigation-Designed-for-Volkswagen-Golf-6-X903D-G6.jpg)
After contacting Alpine directly as one of these units were my first choice, I discovered that they discontinued them because due to the price tag of £1,000-1,600 depending on where you lived and the time of year you got it their sales where not high enough to continue making them.
So, if you want one of these units, you will need to keep an eye on EBay or other selling sites.
I have personally been checking many sources for many months now and have failed to find ether a 901, 902 or 903 for sale anywhere, FYI, these are versions, with the 903 being the latest and best.
Me personally, I have decided to upgrade AGAIN to an Alpine iLX-705D, I almost bought a 2nd hand iLX-702D until I realised The iLX-705D is the successor of the highly popular, award winning iLX-702D. This new generation includes many improvements, such as much higher screen resolution, wireless Apple CarPlay, 2 USB ports, as well as a built-in Class-D amplifier and Hi-Res Audio capabilities.
So why am I upgrading? Well, as great as the RCD330+ is, its missing a few things to make it perfect.
- The sound quality is much better than OEM but after using car Audio for many years, I wouldn’t say its 4x50w, more like 4x40w or at least that's how it feels, its 100% better than the OEM Radios and for most, that is enough but for me, I found it lacking.
- The lack of Pre-outs also really limit your options if you want to add more in the future, I like my stealth installs and I have a sub in the boot in a stealth box which I have linked in via one of Vibes Micro amps alongside the 4-channel micro amp, this has meant I have more looms behind the Headunit and two micro amps but I am limited by their capabilities and sadly, Vibe are not my first choice when it comes to wanting quality
- The RCD330’s allow you to pickup AM & FM only, but due to them coming from China, they do not pickup RDS signal meaning you don't get a nice RADIO 1 for example on your saved number 1 slot and so on, instead, you just have "99.5" if that makes sense? This bothers me.
- The lack of DAB really does let this unit down for me, I like DAB radio, I live in a location that I am able to pick up channels I like that you simply cannot get via FM. My Mk7 GTD had DAB and its honestly the only thing I miss about that car other than the £20 per year to Tax it.
- While the RCD330 will work with OEM parking sensors and Reverse cameras and even via Bluetooth show iPhone calls in the clocks, that’s where the integration ends. If you want a unit that will show your climate control/heated seat adjustments or pair up with Satnav in your clocks and so on, you will need a new unit for this.
So for these reasons, If you want a strong aftermarket unit, I would recommend one of the Alpines listed but be aware, in order to get everything working as I have explained, you will need the correct fitting kit that will talk to your infotainment system.
Personally, if you are using an Alpine unit, do yourself a favour and buy the Alpine kit, part number is: KIT-7VWX303 it retails between £199-£220.
When it comes to DAB+ you can ether use a standard DAB sticker antenna on your windscreen or pay more and use the OEM wiring and antenna and get the Alpine splitter for FM and DAB + in the VW Golf 6.
Part number is: KAE-DAB1G6 Your looking to around £100.
Embarking on my forthcoming installation of the Alpine iLX-705D, I remain open to queries, eager to share insights and experiences.
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Thanks for the very detailed post.
As a side note:
I upgraded from the RCD310 to the RNS510
Im currently researching the kits out there to add Apple Car play / Android Auto functionality to the RNS-510 for around £300-500
Aliexpress option,
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004595270519.html?srcSns=sns_Copy&spreadType=socialShare&bizType=ProductDetail&social_params=60422040804&aff_fcid=58bdeed1aa284743b68336a427ff1348-1700461235747-00458-_EG9aCqh&tt=MG&fbclid=IwAR3oeEmJwtw90IiZIHaxmxHC51q6tCDI7KDcuRzOLjQ_reIYNgU1xpPQPTg&aff_fsk=_EG9aCqh&aff_platform=default&sk=_EG9aCqh&aff_trace_key=58bdeed1aa284743b68336a427ff1348-1700461235747-00458-_EG9aCqh&shareId=60422040804&businessType=ProductDetail&platform=AE&terminal_id=4cdf822d9f91438ba313a91b88aaa1c1&afSmartRedirect=y
Integrated Automotives kit option.
https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/product/vw-rns510-golf-passat-sharan-tiguan-touran-and-eos-carplay-and-android-auto-kit/
https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/rns510-installation-guide/
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Thanks for the very detailed post.
As a side note:
I upgraded from the RCD310 to the RNS510
Im currently researching the kits out there to add Apple Car play / Android Auto functionality to the RNS-510 for around £300-500
Aliexpress option,
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004595270519.html?srcSns=sns_Copy&spreadType=socialShare&bizType=ProductDetail&social_params=60422040804&aff_fcid=58bdeed1aa284743b68336a427ff1348-1700461235747-00458-_EG9aCqh&tt=MG&fbclid=IwAR3oeEmJwtw90IiZIHaxmxHC51q6tCDI7KDcuRzOLjQ_reIYNgU1xpPQPTg&aff_fsk=_EG9aCqh&aff_platform=default&sk=_EG9aCqh&aff_trace_key=58bdeed1aa284743b68336a427ff1348-1700461235747-00458-_EG9aCqh&shareId=60422040804&businessType=ProductDetail&platform=AE&terminal_id=4cdf822d9f91438ba313a91b88aaa1c1&afSmartRedirect=y
Integrated Automotives kit option.
https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/product/vw-rns510-golf-passat-sharan-tiguan-touran-and-eos-carplay-and-android-auto-kit/
https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/rns510-installation-guide/
Honestly, that is a really cleaver option, the upsides are you get some modern fuctionality with an OEM unit but thats it.
The downsides for me personally are:
- Cost - Buying a 2nd hand RNS510 & That unit will come close £700+
- Sound quality, you won't get the sound quality you get from other units as I beleive the OEM units are 4x20w
- Still no pre-outs
- The installation process requires a level of technicail understanding and confidence to acheive which by opening up the unit, will void any warranty if any
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Wow, thanks for this info, happy new year
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Thanks - this is a helpful post.
I joined the forum so I could ask some more questions about it!
I don't have a GTi and I don't live in the UK, but hopefully that's ok! I'm in Australia and I have a 2012 Mk6 GTD 120,000km on the clock, owned since new.
Long ago I bought a cheap Android head unit for it, but threw it out after a month or two - just horrible.
I've just bought an Alpine ILX-509A and the APF-X303VW but its not fitted yet. I ordered some Aerpro bits but it seems like some MFD functions and OEM microphone won't be retained, so on the strength of this post decided to return them and go with the X303. No doubt I'll have to ask some questions when I start trying to fit it..
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Thanks - this is a helpful post.
I joined the forum so I could ask some more questions about it!
I don't have a GTi and I don't live in the UK, but hopefully that's ok! I'm in Australia and I have a 2012 Mk6 GTD 120,000km on the clock, owned since new.
Long ago I bought a cheap Android head unit for it, but threw it out after a month or two - just horrible.
I've just bought an Alpine ILX-509A and the APF-X303VW but its not fitted yet. I ordered some Aerpro bits but it seems like some MFD functions and OEM microphone won't be retained, so on the strength of this post decided to return them and go with the X303. No doubt I'll have to ask some questions when I start trying to fit it..
No worries! I have found that my Climate controls pop up on the Alpine's screen and looks very nice. Although, one annoyance is, whenever the Climate auto adjusts, it pops up on the alpine :D
On the MFD, When I put on the Audio setting, it will tell me what Station I have on, it will even display Carplay the Volume adjustments also pop up.
All steering wheel controls work too.
About the OEM mic, yeah, that I haven't acutally attempted but, the Alpine one is much better and multi directional so use that.
Another thing I would recommend as per my above post when it comes to DAB+ is, do pay more and use the OEM wiring and antenna and get the Alpine splitter for FM and DAB + in the VW Golf 6.
Part number is: KAE-DAB1G6 Your looking to around £100.
In my UK car, it was the left antenna I had to replace behind the trim in the boot, it was abit of a fiddle but gains much better singal than the sticker in the window.
My next purchase will be the Alpine front and rear dash cams to plug into my unit too.
Have a watch of this, you will understand why.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI7n0Z8MFNQ
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Thanks for the link about the alpine dashcams, really nice! I've got a Mivue system - not great quality pictures.
I am going to fit a couple of Alpine cameras HCE-C1100, front and rear, for parking purposes, after I've got the head unit working.
I wonder why these cameras could not be used as dash-cams with an SD card/recorder built into the head unit? - seems an obvious solution to me!
The ILX-507 has two cables marked "LIN" and "DRIVE RECORDER IN" which are not used - they must be for the dashcams, so I may not be able to use Alpine dash cams with the 507.
A few other questions:
1. X303 manual says disconnect the car battery before starting. Are there any pitfalls to be aware of? From what I've read this is not a big deal - all the car settings come back without needing to get into diagnostics (which I don't have). EDIT: After reconnecting the battery, my trip computer reset itself and after driving a few metres some warnings that appeared on the MFD cleared.
2. With regards the antenna - I am not sure if my car has a DAB antenna - I only have FM/AM on the factory unit. If that's the case, will I be able to use the KAE-DAB1G6? Alternatively I would have to use the Alpine DAB antenna. EDIT: OK, I read the KAE manual - I see that it does provide a DAB antenna for cars that did not have one. It's also a lot neater than the Alpine one which requires sticking unsightly and delicate antenna onto the front windscreen...
3. I am a bit confused about the mic/factory BT module - does the Alpine kit replace the need for the factory BT? The X303 seems to be capable of using the factory mic. But I've also read on the Crutchfield site that you have to disconnect the Golf factory bluetooth module in the armrest or under the passenger seat. EDIT: my factory mic did not work but there is an explanation in the X303 manual to modify wiring in a connector under passenger seat - haven't tried that yet. The car's BT system is still active and PHONE still appears on the MFD. Of course the phone can only connect to either the car BT or the Alpine head unit. I suppose the PHONE menu on the MFD will become redundant.
Another Edit: I was able to use the factory mic, works fine. Had to disconnect the BT module under driver's seat and bridge two wires together. When you do that, the PHONE menu on the MFD disappears.
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Found a good video in German with english subtitles here - for the antenna installation
https://youtu.be/cVn_HUzx7-g?si=rU-Lc15sOmeZI7e9
The Alpine KAE kit does not have the DIN adapter needed for the ILX-507A and ILX-705D, but the kit for sale in Germany does...
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Found a good video in German with english subtitles here - for the antenna installation
https://youtu.be/cVn_HUzx7-g?si=rU-Lc15sOmeZI7e9
The Alpine KAE kit does not have the DIN adapter needed for the ILX-507A and ILX-705D, but the kit for sale in Germany does...
My kit came with everything needed.
Note, for UK cars, you change the one on the left passenger side.
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Hi Nino,
I have read with great interest your very thorough explanation of an audio upgrade.
My Daughter has in her golf a Kenwood DNX520VBT and she's changing her car
and is not removing the head unit, So my question is would it be a worthwhile
upgrade for my mk6 GTI. The unit I have at the moment is OEM touch screen but
without the maps. many thanks.
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Hi Nino,
I have read with great interest your very thorough explanation of an audio upgrade.
My Daughter has in her golf a Kenwood DNX520VBT and she's changing her car
and is not removing the head unit, So my question is would it be a worthwhile
upgrade for my mk6 GTI. The unit I have at the moment is OEM touch screen but
without the maps. many thanks.
Hey Doberman,
Yes, That unit would be an upgrade on any and all OEM units in my honest opinion. The Standard unit will only be pushing our around 4x20w per channel whereas the Kenwood unit will be pushing 4x50w. TLDR: Your speakers will sound better.
Looking on Kenwoods website, it also states that it will work with your Steering wheel controls which is a bonus and also has built in Bluetooth so hands free for your mobile phone.
Checking eBay, looks like they also go between £170-200 2nd hand.
If it was me, I would 100% put that in your GTi.
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Hi Nino,
many thanks, for confirming the DNX520VBT would be a respectable upgrade for my
GTI. technical data about audio upgrades I'm afraid go strait over my head. once you
start reading into it, I feel like I'm falling into an ever deepening hole so I turn off. I'm not
looking for an expensive upgrade but this freebie will do me just fine. hopefully it will be
just plug and play. regards,
Doberman.
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It should be, there may be a Loom that you will need to take out of your daughters car but honestly, its a 10min job to fit a headunit in a MK6 Golf.
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On the MFD, When I put on the Audio setting, it will tell me what Station I have on, it will even display Carplay the Volume adjustments also pop up.
All steering wheel controls work too.
Hi Nino,
Some more comments questions (I've got an ILX-507A+X303):
When I am on the Audio screen in the MFD, I can see the radio station information and the volume adjustment. But, if I am playing Spotify then the Audio screen is blank - do you have the same issue?
Sometimes it gets stuck and displays a radio station even when I am on Spotify.
My steering wheel phone button does nothing - have to use the head unit menus to make a call.
I read somewhere that the Alpine unit should also be able to display navigation turn information in the MFD - any idea how that would be activated?
I do see the climate control screen pop-up of its own accord, which it never did with the factory head unit. Can be annoying if you are about to look at the map to get turn information! It would be nice if it could be made to display for less than 5s but that option is not available. Can be turned off altogether, but I prefer it on!
I have a USB plugged into the MDI in the armrest but that no longer works.
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On the MFD, When I put on the Audio setting, it will tell me what Station I have on, it will even display Carplay the Volume adjustments also pop up.
All steering wheel controls work too.
Hi Nino,
Some more comments questions (I've got an ILX-507A+X303):
When I am on the Audio screen in the MFD, I can see the radio station information and the volume adjustment. But, if I am playing Spotify then the Audio screen is blank - do you have the same issue?
Sometimes it gets stuck and displays a radio station even when I am on Spotify.
My steering wheel phone button does nothing - have to use the head unit menus to make a call.
I read somewhere that the Alpine unit should also be able to display navigation turn information in the MFD - any idea how that would be activated?
I do see the climate control screen pop-up of its own accord, which it never did with the factory head unit. Can be annoying if you are about to look at the map to get turn information! It would be nice if it could be made to display for less than 5s but that option is not available. Can be turned off altogether, but I prefer it on!
I have a USB plugged into the MDI in the armrest but that no longer works.
My experience is the same as you except, my buttons work for calls etc.
I looked more into it regarding the NAV, and I have tired it with WAZE and Google maps and I don't get the directions ether - I have a feeling that feature is acutally only with the following units as it needs the Nav built into the device where as our units use it from our phones:
- Alpine X901D-G6
- Alpine X902D-G6
- Alpine X903D-G6
I did wonder about if getting this Navi stick would make it work but im not willing to sink nearly £500 just for a feature.
https://shop.alpine.co.uk/products/copy-of-truck-g500c-trucking-software-for-ine-w92xr-series-ine-w977bt
One thing I haven't tired is updating the firmware on the iLX-705D
More info here: https://www.alpine.co.uk/support/software-and-map-updates/headunits/ilx-f905d-firmware-update.html
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Just wanted to post this video about this Alpine range, gives some good info on the cameras and also how the Hires Audio works on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOs9zB4kjlY&t=928s