Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
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brandon-lee.stapleton
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Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Hi all, I've just purchased a Polo 2016 1.2 TSI. I love the car but I want to swap the head unit out for something else as the one in there does not support app connect.
The current head unit that's in the car is in the attached picture.
Can anyone recommend any headunits to me? It looks like I may need to replace the plastic plate around it as this is moulded around the current head unit thats in place rather then it just being a standard square shape like the rest? If so could someone point me the right direction for this part too?
Thanks
The current head unit that's in the car is in the attached picture.
Can anyone recommend any headunits to me? It looks like I may need to replace the plastic plate around it as this is moulded around the current head unit thats in place rather then it just being a standard square shape like the rest? If so could someone point me the right direction for this part too?
Thanks
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- iichel
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
i don't know the answer but it would be helpful to have the part number of your current unit.
it should show up if you hold setup for a while.
looks like this is a composition media MIB1?
it should show up if you hold setup for a while.
looks like this is a composition media MIB1?
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brandon-lee.stapleton
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Hello, yes spot on MIB1 unit with 1 SD Card slot in the glove box. Sorry I'm not sure of the part number.
- iichel
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
iichel wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:25 pmthe part number of your current unit.
it should show up if you hold setup for a while.
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2226
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Can be done, but you will lose some functions such as TPMS reset (if you don't have switch), ESP off/on, instrument cluster lighting change, and so on.
But that's for aftermarket unit.
You can possibly use a higher spec unit from another Polo but there might be component protection on it. This stops the use of the unit in another vehicle.
If you have the money look at this:
https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/SingleView/ilx-705d
Bit pricey for me. Seems to start off at 550GBP. I think the CAN box is separate purchase.
You can see more on the integration here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5giFGLEPtc
See around the 09:00 mark.
Looks like the most complete integration I've seen yet, but you sure do pay for it.
But that's for aftermarket unit.
You can possibly use a higher spec unit from another Polo but there might be component protection on it. This stops the use of the unit in another vehicle.
If you have the money look at this:
https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/SingleView/ilx-705d
Bit pricey for me. Seems to start off at 550GBP. I think the CAN box is separate purchase.
You can see more on the integration here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5giFGLEPtc
See around the 09:00 mark.
Looks like the most complete integration I've seen yet, but you sure do pay for it.
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brandon-lee.stapleton
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
I know I'm replying late but I wanted to give it some proper testing before I posted to let everyone know that I bought a Box from Mak Coding which provided Android Auto, it was about 180 from this link and I had to take my glovebox out to install it.
I also tested Apple Car Play and they both worked spot on. All the original VW Features still work and I've had no issues. Support from Mak Coding was spot on too.
All in with running the mic and etc and figuring everything out it was about a 45 minute install.
Link - https://www.makcoding.co.uk/product/vw- ... rplay-box/
Cheers for all your suggestions anyway
I also tested Apple Car Play and they both worked spot on. All the original VW Features still work and I've had no issues. Support from Mak Coding was spot on too.
All in with running the mic and etc and figuring everything out it was about a 45 minute install.
Link - https://www.makcoding.co.uk/product/vw- ... rplay-box/
Cheers for all your suggestions anyway
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2226
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Very cool indeed.
I've seen similar units intercepting the display signal, but not one that seemed to work for my headunit (Composition Colour, no glovebox brain).
I've seen similar units intercepting the display signal, but not one that seemed to work for my headunit (Composition Colour, no glovebox brain).
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2226
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Sort of unrelated, but I wanted to just post up something I saw today in news from August 2024.
Our local Polo Vivo now has this from the factory:
Not entirely sure I care for it much what with it not having any physical buttons.
It's a 9-inch "Mirgor" infotainment unit.
Also interesting that the switch panels is more 6R than 6C given that the current Vivo started when the AW was released.
Our local Polo Vivo now has this from the factory:
Not entirely sure I care for it much what with it not having any physical buttons.
It's a 9-inch "Mirgor" infotainment unit.
Also interesting that the switch panels is more 6R than 6C given that the current Vivo started when the AW was released.
- ciclo
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Good info.
According to ETKA it is a PQ25.

The infotainment system seems to be a radio without navigation. It's definitely better if the protectors of the universe know what you're doing through all those wonderful apps.
According to ETKA it is a PQ25.

The infotainment system seems to be a radio without navigation. It's definitely better if the protectors of the universe know what you're doing through all those wonderful apps.
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2226
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
Yeah, it's going to be pretty basic, but just flashy looking.
They have to compete with other brands with better infotainment units in that market sector even if it is just a larger display. The Vivo is dating quickly against the base models from Toyota and Suzuki. Suzuki rocketed from nowhere to be almost the 2nd or 3rd most popular brand in the country. Plenty of rebranding deals going on there between Suzuki and Toyota.
I just prefer physical buttons and knobs rather than fiddling with these touchscreens while driving.
When is the next Polo due? Would love to see what happens with the AW when it becomes a Vivo.
They have to compete with other brands with better infotainment units in that market sector even if it is just a larger display. The Vivo is dating quickly against the base models from Toyota and Suzuki. Suzuki rocketed from nowhere to be almost the 2nd or 3rd most popular brand in the country. Plenty of rebranding deals going on there between Suzuki and Toyota.
I just prefer physical buttons and knobs rather than fiddling with these touchscreens while driving.
When is the next Polo due? Would love to see what happens with the AW when it becomes a Vivo.
- ciclo
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
I am currently very uninformed about the vehicle market, but looking at the VW website for South Africa and having studied this Polo VIVO (PQ25) in detail at the etka - and knowing what I know - I would buy this vehicle 'Right Now'.
An excellent utility vehicle, very difficult to find in Europe, and with extraordinary potential...
Well, I already have the 6R for these purposes, or rather, my wife enjoys the 6R for all her activities, she has a careless habit of preferring to take the keys to the 6R rather than those of the Golf.

An excellent utility vehicle, very difficult to find in Europe, and with extraordinary potential...
Well, I already have the 6R for these purposes, or rather, my wife enjoys the 6R for all her activities, she has a careless habit of preferring to take the keys to the 6R rather than those of the Golf.
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2226
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Re: Headunit Upgrade 2016 Polo
I would to over the 6C. 
They're fairly cheap on the 2nd hand market too.
And parts for the PQ25 are easy to find. It's when you get to the 6C that things become a little difficult.
But one that thing that isn't obvious through VW SA site is how often these Polos are stolen. Insurance premiums are not small for the Polo over here.
They like to steal the headlamps off the 6R/6C especially the GTI. They literally just walk up and rip them out.
Just stick with the 1.4 and 1.6 and all is good. It's the TSI and even the TDI that becomes an expensive pain.
Did you notice the complete lack of Golfs? Only the GTI and the R for stupid money.
I'll keep my 2006 mk1 Golf. If you think the Polo is an excellent utility vehicle, wait until you have a mk1 Golf. Everything fits in a mk1 Golf. There's so much space without all the safety gear.
They're fairly cheap on the 2nd hand market too.
And parts for the PQ25 are easy to find. It's when you get to the 6C that things become a little difficult.
But one that thing that isn't obvious through VW SA site is how often these Polos are stolen. Insurance premiums are not small for the Polo over here.
They like to steal the headlamps off the 6R/6C especially the GTI. They literally just walk up and rip them out.
Just stick with the 1.4 and 1.6 and all is good. It's the TSI and even the TDI that becomes an expensive pain.
Did you notice the complete lack of Golfs? Only the GTI and the R for stupid money.
I'll keep my 2006 mk1 Golf. If you think the Polo is an excellent utility vehicle, wait until you have a mk1 Golf. Everything fits in a mk1 Golf. There's so much space without all the safety gear.

