Blue GT help

[maccap]

Dear all

Im a returning member having moved back to a Polo after a Fabia Monte Carlo. We just purchased a Blue GT which has the RCD510 premium 8 (DAB) with odd looking touch phone kit perched on the corner of the dash. Great car but in a nutshell how do we improve bluetooth connectivity to iphone and maybe get NAV too although that is not as important.

Apologies if asked before I did search but couldnt really find the answers I was looking for.

Any help gratefully appreciated swmbo breathing down my neck

[maccap]

I just found a post by member alexperkins to somebody with a similar issue where he recommends fitting an RCD330G Plus. Would this solve all of my problems and work like factory fit & would it fit a 63 plate car ?

[iichel]

I think your car has a separate Bluetooth module beneath one or the front seats. black box with a blue plug. I don't know about the compatibility of those with an iPhone. The rcd510 has no option for carplay etc.

[maccap]

Thanks I will take a look but if it does have this box how do I achieve what I want ?

[maccap]

I found this box under the passenger seat. Is this the box mentioned ?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1obX7U ... 49xez45AwY

Also a link to a pic of the dash. Would the RNS315 be suitable also ?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1olJd7 ... DySSJq1I4e

[iichel]

No that will be your voltage stabilizer. It does not have a blue plug.

[cheba]

I just found a post by member alexperkins to somebody with a similar issue where he recommends fitting an RCD330G Plus. Would this solve all of my problems and work like factory fit & would it fit a 63 plate car ?

Unfortunately I can't speak for the Bluetooth compatibility of different head units. However I know that it is a popular mod to switch to the RCD330G, but depending on the original specification of the car it may not be a straight upgrade. The RCD330G doesn't support diversity antenna, so you will get worse radio reception if the car has diversity antenna from the factory. I've also read conflicting reports on whether the RCD330G supports RDS radio, and whether it works flawlessly with the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel (in case you have one). Also it doesn't have DAB. It doesn't have NAV built in but you can connect your phone with CarPlay in order to use navigation.

If you want an OEM unit with built in navigation you can get the RNS315 or RNS510. However only some versions of these units have DAB, and these versions will be harder to find and more expensive.

The RNS315 has a built in Bluetooth module but the RNS510 uses an external one located under one of the front seats. If your RCD510 is factory fitted, it should also have a Bluetooth module under the seat.

It is possible that upgrading to a later version of the Bluetooth module would improve connectivity, however I am not sure about whether this is the case.

[maccap]

Thanks and wow this is hard what a minefield. I didnt realise it would be as difficult to sort out but so frustrating that this car does not have as good a media package as our older Fabia and it would have been considerably more expensive when new. By the way yes I do have buttons on the steering wheel.

So I need to fully research the spec of my car then. Cant see that being easy

[maccap]

So just thinking about this how would a person pair their phone to the RCD510 unit without the TPK kit. Does RCD510 have bluetooth itself ?

[cheba]

So just thinking about this how would a person pair their phone to the RCD510 unit without the TPK kit. Does RCD510 have bluetooth itself ?

I am almost certain that the RCD510 does not have Bluetooth integrated.

You mentioned you have a phone kit on the dashboard. This suggests that there is indeed a Bluetooth interface, or "Mobile Phone Preparation" as VW calls it, installed. Have you checked whether you have a Bluetooth module installed under one of the seats? It should look like one of these: https://www.myturbodiesel.com/images/a5 ... tooth2.jpg

Is there one of those small touch screen displays in the phone holder of the dashboard?

[maccap]

This is the bluetooth kit which is rubbish for playing music through. I need to look under the seat again.

[maccap]

Just had another look under the front seats and there is nothing except for a voltage stabilizer. I confirmed this by partcode.

[cheba]

This is the bluetooth kit which is rubbish for playing music through. I need to look under the seat again.

Oh OK, I thought you meant that the touch display thing was mounted in a Bury phone cradle/adapter on the dashboard (on the passenger side of the center console). Some cars have this cradle, and it is a sign that the car has Mobile Phone Preparation.

Just had another look under the front seats and there is nothing except for a voltage stabilizer. I confirmed this by partcode.

It seems like the car doesn't have Mobile Phone Preparation from the factory then. I think the little touch display thing is a kit for dealers to install if the customer wants to retrofit Bluetooth, but I don't know what kind of functionality you get with it.

I can think of a couple of different ways to go if you want to install proper Bluetooth, though unfortunately I cannot say anything about whether or not you will get better iPhone connectivity:

1. Retrofit Bluetooth module (wiring harness + module + VCDS coding).
2. Switch to RNS315, it has built-in Bluetooth and also includes navigation but if you want DAB, finding a suitable unit may be hard.
3. Switch to an aftermarket head unit with built-in Bluetooth. Depending on the unit you may get navigation and DAB.

If the car doesn't have a microphone installed in the roof console from factory, you also need to install a microphone in order to make phone calls (unless you go for an aftermarket head unit with built-in mic).

If DAB isn't important to you, the RCD330G is a viable option. It has built-in Bluetooth and microphone.

[maccap]

Thanks great reply and yes it does have a microphone installed I guess with the BT kit.

Talking to a few audio specialists it pretty much seems I can have what I want if I pay for it. One suggestion is a Kenwood unit with apple carplay at just short of £700

Or this @ £575
http://www.satnavsystems.com/product/vw ... interface/

And this @ £1295
http://www.satnavsystems.com/product/vw ... on-system/

Im also talking to Advanced In-Car Technologies

[cheba]

There's also this one for 313£ with Bluetooth, DAB and CarPlay: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-SPH-DA ... B07B5DY2K6

The options of retrofitting OEM Bluetooth or switching to an RNS315 makes little sense unless you buy a used unit and do the install yourself, because these things are insanely expensive if you buy them new from a dealer.