Sat Nav system for my GTI mk5

[gmk666]

A friend has an R32. He didn't like the standard VW sat nav, so he's taken it out and replaced it with some all-singing all-dancing DVD entertainment system. He's now kindly asked me if I want the original unit. So will it just slot into my standard CD system space?

[gmk666]

Ah. Just spoken to local dealer. 'Yes it's possible' but 6 hours labour at 110 quid an hour means it's not very probable.

[nevetas]

Kenwood DDX-6029
www.justkenwood.co.uk/stock01/ddx6029.asp

Or

Pioneer
www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_detail.jsp?product_id=12205&taxonomy_id=10-20

Both look OEM, Pioneer has some features the Kenwood doesn't but Kenwood is cheaper. Depends how many features you need.

[gmk666]

Thanks for those, although I now think I'll go for one of the Tom Tom portable things.

[adrianr]

I'd do a bit more research before writing off the idea. I cannot see how this can possibly be 6 hours labour, unless someone misread it 0.6 hours would be closer.

Register at UK-MKIVs (and MkVs) and have a look at the pictures of a DIY install in this thread:

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/thread/170

AdrianR

[gmk666]

Thanks for the lead Adrian. That's exactly what I had in mind, although reading through the thread I eventually came to the justification as to why the VW garage quoted 6 hours' labour. From what I understand, it seems they'd need to to strip the headlining to gain access to the rear, roof-mounted aerial and replace it with one of the shark fin ones. I may continue investigating though, as an independent ICE specialist hopefully won't charge main dealer rates...

[nevetas]

I have the Kenwood in mine, with Nav, TMC, DvD and Digital TV (freeview). Will try and get pics when I get mu camera back.

[adrianr]

[.. gain access to the rear, roof-mounted aerial and replace it with one of the shark fin ones]

I guess it depends whether you want it to be an exact retrofit, or just to work? You're not going to put a shark fin on to run your Tom-Tom are you, so just do what that chap did and position the receiver somewhere convenient just under the dash.

AdrianR

p.s. I believe you can get fake shark fins if you really want one!

[gmk666]

You're right - it doesn't need to be an exact retro-fit. But I've had another idea. I'm going to pay someone else (cheaper than VW) to do it for me. Then there's more chance of (a) it working and (b) me not blowing myself up.

[targarama]

There is a recent thread on the Golf GTi forum on tyresmoke on this topic. Someone posted a link on how to retrofit SatNav in place of the RCD 500 (or whatever std head unit). Go here and ask:

www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/GTi/page/2

It looks quite easy to fit yourself, hour or two max.

[AndyWoodall]

It most certainly isn't a 6 hour job! How much is your friend asking for the unit? I'd bite his hand off if I were you if its a decent price.

It'll be a case of popping out your RCD headunit and popping the MFD2 in the space left. You'll need a GPS aerial, but they aren't expensive, and you should be able to hide it somewhere inside the upper dash section around the airvents, or at worst have it on the dashboard top. Obviously as a factory fit the aerial is better placed but you'll get decent signal from a little GPS dongle.

Tyresmoke and a site called vwnavi are both great places for advice.