Author Topic: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?  (Read 6544 times)

Offline jaydubveedub

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Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« on: 08 June 2009, 12:41 »
OK so i've seen all the fitting guides and have decided I want to retrofit the MFD2 Sat Nav. I know the RNS510 is better but they are expensive.

Questions - i've got MFSW with the highline display. If I fit the MFD2 will I then get a 'Nav' screen on the highline display to show me turn arrows etc? If so, will it need to be activated with the 5051/VAG com?

Obviously I also need to buy and fit the GPS receiver. Do I have to fit this on the top of the dash or can I conceal it (somewhere under the centre vents/diffuser) without affecting reception? I would like to replace the roof aerial with the proper GPS/Radio fin but I guess it's a PITA running the cable behind the headliner.

Also, stupid question, but I guess the MFSW will still be able to adjust the audi volume/track without any recoding?
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Offline ub7rm

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #1 on: 08 June 2009, 12:50 »
I've just done this last week.  Sadly I don't have either the MFSW or Highline but from my research it appears its all plug and play so it should all work without having to recode.  That said there will be error codes generated by installing the MFD2 but you can't see em and it won't affect anything.  Just bung someone with VAG COM some beer tokens to code it in at your leisure if you like.

I have mine sitting directly under the metal diffuser on the plastic panel underneath.  I might go and shift this in the near future as I have noticed that on a couple of occasions its put me on the wrong road for about 30 seconds and I thinks its because the metal diffuser shields it too much.  Think I'll try and place it either to the left or right of the diffuser under the plastic part of the dash.  Not a major issue.

I got it becuase its now a fairly cheap upgrade that makes the dash look 1000000 time better and adds some functionality too  :cool:

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Offline jaydubveedub

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #2 on: 08 June 2009, 12:58 »
Cheers for the reply. I want to do it mainly because the RCD310 looks a bit pants and the MFD2's are quite cheap on ebay now.

I have driven a Touran before with the MFD2 and the Nav is not great compared to Tom Tom but at least you don't have to mess about with cables and brackets everywhere.

It might sound silly but I don't want the GPS receiver to be visible because it makes it look a bit aftermarket. Does the receiver have to be in the 'centre' of the car or could I put it next to the tax disc holder?

I've got a mate who's a VW tech and has access to a 5052 so any coding is not a problem so long as I bung him a few quid.

I'm not too fussed if I can't get the nav instructions displayed in the highline display but obviously I want to be able to use the MFSW buttons or else it's not worth doing.
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Offline Spaced

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #3 on: 08 June 2009, 13:50 »
I've just done this last week.  Sadly I don't have either the MFSW or Highline but from my research it appears its all plug and play so it should all work without having to recode.  That said there will be error codes generated by installing the MFD2 but you can't see em and it won't affect anything.  Just bung someone with VAG COM some beer tokens to code it in at your leisure if you like.

I have mine sitting directly under the metal diffuser on the plastic panel underneath.  I might go and shift this in the near future as I have noticed that on a couple of occasions its put me on the wrong road for about 30 seconds and I thinks its because the metal diffuser shields it too much.  Think I'll try and place it either to the left or right of the diffuser under the plastic part of the dash.  Not a major issue.

I got it becuase its now a fairly cheap upgrade that makes the dash look 1000000 time better and adds some functionality too  :cool:



+1

What he said, The error codes are not a big deal, (missing cd changer). My GPS antenna is wedged to the upper left of the unit in a small void not under the centre grill and I have had no issues with reception.

I wired in a Chopped down IDE cable so that I could use the AUX in for an ipod



But you can get proper adapters off ebay that will give you composite Video in as well. (the MFD2 will not accept composite video without the adapter)

hope this helps.


Loyal owner since 2005, done with remapping, I drive a Golf not a Veyron. (hypocrite)

Offline ub7rm

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #4 on: 08 June 2009, 17:01 »
Indeed I should have made it clearer that the GPS antenna is completely hidden inside the dash.  Even though mine is under the metal grille it still works 99% of the time and is only slightly off when its wrong and soon corrects itself.  Moving it under a plastic part of the dash should make it 100% reliable.

I don't really need a sat nav its just for the (reasonably cheap) cool factor and like has been said means you don't have to faff about with brackets and cables for a tom tom.  As a bonus the sound quality is better than the rcd 300 and it works with the factory ipod prep without futher mucking about.
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Offline celica

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #5 on: 08 June 2009, 19:22 »
just a note a cd and not be played on the mfd2 if nav is on, as required cd/dvd in

also there are a few versions, cd and dvd based

Offline jaydubveedub

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #6 on: 09 June 2009, 08:27 »
No worries. I found out the hard away about the CD playback. I borrowed a Touran with nav but it didn't have a cd changer so I had to choose between nav+radio or cd+getting lost.

Luckily I have the ipod dock in the armrest of my golf, so it sounds like it will work without any fiddling about.

Now to hunt down an MFD2 on ebay........
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Offline Gene Hunt.

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #7 on: 09 June 2009, 08:27 »
just a note a cd and not be played on the mfd2 if nav is on, as required cd/dvd in

also there are a few versions, cd and dvd based

..........in english please ?????? :wink:
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Offline ifti

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #8 on: 09 June 2009, 08:36 »
just a note a cd and not be played on the mfd2 if nav is on, as required cd/dvd in

also there are a few versions, cd and dvd based

..........in english please ?????? :wink:

You need to have the CD/DVD with the maps inserted into the MDF2 when using sat nav.
Hence you cant play a music CD when using sat nav.

Offline Gene Hunt.

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Re: Retrofit MFD2 - who's done it?
« Reply #9 on: 09 June 2009, 09:00 »
Thanks mate  :smiley:.Thought it was some sort of text speak. :grin:
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