Show me your head unit

Chat about your facelift 9n3 Polo - Including the 9N3 Polo GTI!
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

Hi All,

I've got a Polo 9n3 with the bog-standard, non-aux radio and I really want to swap it out with a double din stereo that has bluetooth / aux. I never really use CD's anymore since I started using spotify so that's not a deal breaker at all. I've been eyeing up the RCN210 from AliExpress as that looks like it has what I want, but there's also this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-Radio-f ... 1438.l2649 which is looks tempting, and allgedly comes with all the parts you need bundled alongside it. Any thoughts?

I've found a few guides for 9n's but it's really tricky finding install guides / photos of 9n3's with aftermarket stereo upgrades.

If anyone fancies sharing a picture, pointing me to a good website for this sort of thing or has any wisdom about this topic at all, please share and you will be showered with praise!

Cheers,

Paul
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

For posterity, in case anyone like me is looking for a pretty good photo guide, this is the best I've found yet: https://forums.mightycarmods.com/forum/ ... olo-gti-9n

It says 9n, looks like a 9n3 - isn't installation identical?
User avatar
alexperkins
Site Admin
Posts: 14866
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:29 pm
Drives: 91 Golf GTI, 01 TT 225, 54 T5 174
Location: Poole, Dorset, UK.
Contact:

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by alexperkins »

Yes identical, bar the face the 9N3 uses quadlock and the 9N is ISO plugs, and theres a changeover on the aerial from ISO to Fakra.

Standard double din opening without any extra fascia trims specific to the car
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

alexperkins wrote:Yes identical, bar the face the 9N3 uses quadlock and the 9N is ISO plugs, and theres a changeover on the aerial from ISO to Fakra.

Standard double din opening without any extra fascia trims specific to the car
Thanks for that! With the DAB radios, it’s a really dumb question but do I need to switch the aerial over?

What sort of head unit do you have, if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve been looking at so many I’ve got total choice paralysis!
User avatar
alexperkins
Site Admin
Posts: 14866
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:29 pm
Drives: 91 Golf GTI, 01 TT 225, 54 T5 174
Location: Poole, Dorset, UK.
Contact:

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by alexperkins »

Ive had a few different ones

Currently got a Pioneer SPH-DA130DAB. Had a SPH-DA120 before that. Both are excellent, the 130 just has DAB and a better interface with buttons rather than touch panel

If you want to use the radio, youll need to plug the aerial into the back of the unit.
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

Those both look like great suggestions - I got a reply from western digital today for installing a DA230 DAB (the sony head units don't come heavily recommended at all apparently) and the quote for the stereo and dab aerial, parts and labour is £470, which is a bit bonkers really.

Are they much of a pain to fit if you're a bit of a novice? I could save up and pay to get it fitted next year, but dear lord... that's not far off of a quarter what I got the car for!

In fairness to them the pioneer units look lovely and definitely the way to go. Are there many definitive guides to install the stereo for the 9n3? I feel like the 9n gets a tonne of stuff (and a haynes manual!) but not the 9n3. Maybe that's just me.
User avatar
alexperkins
Site Admin
Posts: 14866
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:29 pm
Drives: 91 Golf GTI, 01 TT 225, 54 T5 174
Location: Poole, Dorset, UK.
Contact:

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by alexperkins »

Its easy enough to fit. The dab aerial is the most fiddly part as it has to be fitted in a certain manner

I can guide you through it fairly easily. Just need to be comfortable with a few wires to connect and some trims to remove
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

That would be a massive help when the time finally arrives, thanks for that! I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled on black friday for a good pioneer deal!
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

alexperkins wrote:Its easy enough to fit. The dab aerial is the most fiddly part as it has to be fitted in a certain manner

I can guide you through it fairly easily. Just need to be comfortable with a few wires to connect and some trims to remove
Hi Alex!

I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on the Pioneer that you recommended (the da230 dab!) but I’m just getting the shopping list of parts together. If you know a better part that the bit I’m looking at, say the word!

1. Removal keys 4Pcs Car Radio Removal Tool Key DIN Release Keys Stereo Extraction Tools Pins CD / DVD Player Head Unit Key Tool for Volkswagen, Ford, Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, Audi, Mercedes https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MHGBNYZ/ ... TDb5069QG8

2. CanBus adapter https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3070322375

3. DAB aerial https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2401887950

4. Fakra aerial adapter (https://www.halfords.com/technology/car ... R4QAvD_BwE)

5. Piggy back fuse tap (do I still need one of these if I’m using the CanBus adapter?) https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2331720324

Any knowledge and wisdom of cheaper parts / errors in my purchasing are gratefully received.

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

Also found this:

VW CAN-Bus Multimedia Interface for the Integration of Car Radios and Sat Navs for VW Golf - Passat - Touran - Jetta - Polo - Tiguan - Touareg - Sharan - Scirocco - T5 - Transporter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N7W5TEE/ ... TDbE0ZT2CH

This sort of looks like it does everything and eliminates any need of soldering stuff / opening the fuse box and adding in any new bits - am I right in thinking if I just plug this in and hook it up the head unit will work?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
alexperkins
Site Admin
Posts: 14866
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:29 pm
Drives: 91 Golf GTI, 01 TT 225, 54 T5 174
Location: Poole, Dorset, UK.
Contact:

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by alexperkins »

Correct, but you pay for the privilege :)
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

To be honest I'd rather pay over the odds for something that means I can just plug and play / remove it easily without faffing with any dodgy wires from aliexpress. Maybe I'll go for that then.

So I need the harness keys, the dab aerial and that canbus adaptor. And the head unit, obviously.

Is there anything else? I've seen over posts mentioning about fascia adapters - how tidily did the pioneer unit sit in your 9n3? I'm a bit OCD about small gaps and off centre stuff. I'm a pleasure to live with!
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

alexperkins wrote:Correct, but you pay for the privilege :)
I found another thing on my travels - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2942255750

Would this eliminate the need of fitting a dab aerial?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Orel
New
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:14 am
Drives: 9n3
Location: The

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by Orel »

I'll recommend this one. Looks original and it's really high quality. It have aux BT discs. I bought it 4 months ago and I'm really satisfied. Really easy installation too.


₪ 181.69 8% Off | LEMON SHARK Car Radio RCN210 CD Player USB MP3 AUX Bluetooth 9N 31G 035 185 For VW Golf Jetta MK4 Passat B5 Polo RCN 210
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/C7txbZe0
PugBrothers
Getting There!
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2019 7:15 am
Drives: Mk7 (9n3) 1.4Tdi Bluemotion 1
Location: Bristol

Re: Show me your head unit

Post by PugBrothers »

Orel wrote:I'll recommend this one. Looks original and it's really high quality. It have aux BT discs. I bought it 4 months ago and I'm really satisfied. Really easy installation too.


₪ 181.69 8% Off | LEMON SHARK Car Radio RCN210 CD Player USB MP3 AUX Bluetooth 9N 31G 035 185 For VW Golf Jetta MK4 Passat B5 Polo RCN 210
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/C7txbZe0
You know thats the exact one I was originally looking at, it looks great! How good is the bluetooth? I’ve seen a few people online say they struggled getting it to work. Any advice on what I’d need to buy to fit it?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post Reply