Just bought R32 #127 - quick RNS-510 install question

[white_autobahn]

My R32 doesn't have Nav, and I'd love to install the RNS-510. The VW dealer where I bought it said it couldn't be done, but seems plenty of you guys have done it.

After trawling through the posts about it, I'm still not sure of exactly what I need beyond the head unit, or where I can buy one. Seems all the units on eBay are in the UK. Has anyone done this on an 08 R32 and able to tell me what I need and where to get it.

Sorry in advance for making ANOTHER post on this! I know there is lots of information on here about it, but I can't seem to find it specific to an 08 R32 in simple terms.

[abeR]

contact peteski on here.. he is the RNS guru and can answer all your questions while providing the best price and service around.


end commercial/

seriously

peteski...

here

http://forums.vwvortex.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=14711

[Mr_Peach]

I did this install on my non-nav R32 in the last six months.

You need:

• an RNS-510. I bought mine used here from the classifieds. There's a ton of reading to do on versions. In my mind, it ultimately comes down to how 'latest and greatest' you desire vs. what you're willing to spend. I bought one for $900 that was essentially "two years back" in feature set and maps
• a GPS puck antenna. E-bay for me. Roughly the size of a Reese's peanut butter cup, mine is mounted to some frame structure under the center vent. works fine.
• a "Diversity Antenna splitter". E-bay again. It's just a little Y-cable with the right FAKRA bits that takes the existing two single antenna cables and squeezes the footprint down to plug into "one and a half" spaces.
• a Sirius extension cable. E-bay again. Your Sirius module is under the front passenger seat. You need this cable to reach from the RNS-510 down to there. I have never used Sirius, so I thought about not doing this, but went ahead.

In my shopping, I found some RNS-510 listings that included some or all of the other cables, so you might get lucky.

You may also want to think about Bluetooth or other add-ons while you're doing dash surgery. Honestly, after you've ripped into it once, it's less scary to go back for more. I bought the plastic "trim tools" after the fact. You can do the job with screwdrivers / rags / patience, but if you're OCD you will forever fixate on the tiny scars left behind from not having the right tools. (I'm not OCD, but my boss is, and he always touches the owie when he gets in my car).

[jademara]

My recommendation would be Scott over at mfd3.com.

He'll get you everything you need PLUS he warranties everything he sells

If you talk to him, tell him I sent you

[mfbmike]

less than 5,000 miles?

[white_autobahn]

Thanks for taking the time to write this up, it's a huge help! Time to jump in!

I did this install on my non-nav R32 in the last six months.

You need:

• an RNS-510. I bought mine used here from the classifieds. There's a ton of reading to do on versions. In my mind, it ultimately comes down to how 'latest and greatest' you desire vs. what you're willing to spend. I bought one for $900 that was essentially "two years back" in feature set and maps
• a GPS puck antenna. E-bay for me. Roughly the size of a Reese's peanut butter cup, mine is mounted to some frame structure under the center vent. works fine.
• a "Diversity Antenna splitter". E-bay again. It's just a little Y-cable with the right FAKRA bits that takes the existing two single antenna cables and squeezes the footprint down to plug into "one and a half" spaces.
• a Sirius extension cable. E-bay again. Your Sirius module is under the front passenger seat. You need this cable to reach from the RNS-510 down to there. I have never used Sirius, so I thought about not doing this, but went ahead.

In my shopping, I found some RNS-510 listings that included some or all of the other cables, so you might get lucky.

You may also want to think about Bluetooth or other add-ons while you're doing dash surgery. Honestly, after you've ripped into it once, it's less scary to go back for more. I bought the plastic "trim tools" after the fact. You can do the job with screwdrivers / rags / patience, but if you're OCD you will forever fixate on the tiny scars left behind from not having the right tools. (I'm not OCD, but my boss is, and he always touches the owie when he gets in my car).

[white_autobahn]

Thanks for the tip mate.

contact peteski on here.. he is the RNS guru and can answer all your questions while providing the best price and service around.


end commercial/

seriously

peteski...

here

http://forums.vwvortex.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=14711

[white_autobahn]

Great suggestion. I've been to his site and asked a couple of questions. Ready to pull the trigger as soon as I hear back. Thank you for the recommendation...

My recommendation would be Scott over at mfd3.com.

He'll get you everything you need PLUS he warranties everything he sells

If you talk to him, tell him I sent you

[r32-1163]

just a little teaser for you what you can do with a good RNS install and the optional accessories, MDI, and Bluetooth.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...w-things...9w7

[StellaArtois]

Doing some research on the navi unit. Easy to install? I found a guy who wanted $1900 for his radio with everything I needed. Tempted to buy it, but it's 3 years old so I want to make sure I get a good price.

[Mr_Peach]

Fairly easy, if you follow the threads.

I think that price is high, myself. I paid $900 for the unit, and maybe $50-60 for the three cable bits I needed to add. I added the Fiscon Bluetooth, and of course that added hundreds.

[r32-1163]

Doing some research on the navi unit. Easy to install? I found a guy who wanted $1900 for his radio with everything I needed. Tempted to buy it, but it's 3 years old so I want to make sure I get a good price.

1900 buys you a brand new unit. I bought a brand new E unit for 1800. the only other thing you need is the Aerial adapters for the FM/AM antennas and ext wire for the SAT Radio if you use it.

I have bluetooth 9w7 so I enabled the * button to act as the voice prompt for voice commands.

you might want the MDI, but most say they get by with the SDcard and Hard Drive as is.

[BetaOp9]

1900 buys you a brand new unit. I bought a brand new E unit for 1800. the only other thing you need is the Aerial adapters for the FM/AM antennas and ext wire for the SAT Radio if you use it.

I have bluetooth 9w7 so I enabled the * button to act as the voice prompt for voice commands.

you might want the MDI, but most say they get by with the SDcard and Hard Drive as is.

Where from, I have been wanting to buy an RNS-510 since they were being imported back 5 years ago.

What differs between the C revision and the new E/F besides the larger HD? I found a guy selling his used C revision for an amazing price...very tempted to pick it up.

[r32-1163]

from what I recall.

C version is latest 1st gen, uses Florescent tube backlight, smaller HDD. not able to use SDXC (I think) highest firmware is 1120.

E/F, F looks like are no longer made only see E units. 2nd gen with LED backlight able to use SDXC cards, faster CPU, bigger HDD and Voice Prompts. Note these units can run the latest firmware (dont remember what ver. offhand)

[BarryT82]

from what I recall.

C version is latest 1st gen, uses Florescent tube backlight, smaller HDD. not able to use SDXC (I think) highest firmware is 1120.

E/F, F looks like are no longer made only see E units. 2nd gen with LED backlight able to use SDXC cards, faster CPU, bigger HDD and Voice Prompts. Note these units can run the latest firmware (dont remember what ver. offhand)

1140 is the newest firmware for a version A/B/C. With 1140 you can use SDHC up to 32GB. Version C is also has LED backlight.

It's a very easy install. I'll have one from a 2010 GTI tomorrow or Saturday.

[r32-1163]

1140 is the newest firmware for a version A/B/C. With 1140 you can use SDHC up to 32GB. Version C is also has LED backlight.

It's a very easy install. I'll have one from a 2010 GTI tomorrow or Saturday.

You're right it's 1140, there's no 1120 I knew I got the numbers mixed up!

anyhow, I originally had a Early unit which had no problem flashing to 1140, and enabled the Video in motion from the firmware hacks that are out there.

My new E unit came with 3890 and was manufactured Feb 2012, There really isn't much difference with the old A unit I had before except I wanted the voice features.

[BarryT82]

You're right it's 1140, there's no 1120 I knew I got the numbers mixed up!

anyhow, I originally had a Early unit which had no problem flashing to 1140, and enabled the Video in motion from the firmware hacks that are out there.

My new E unit came with 3890 and was manufactured Feb 2012, There really isn't much difference with the old A unit I had before except I wanted the voice features.

And the traffic and weather info, but that costs extra every month.

[JWadle]

I've just picked up an 08 R32 with under 5000 miles. Love it!

It doesn't have Nav, and I'd love to install the RNS-510. The VW dealer where I bought it said it couldn't be done, but seems plenty of you guys have done it.

After trawling through the posts about it, I'm still not sure of exactly what I need beyond the head unit, or where I can buy one. Seems all the units on eBay are in the UK. Has anyone done this on an 08 R32 and able to tell me what I need and where to get it.

Sorry in advance for making ANOTHER post on this! I know there is lots of information on here about it, but I can't seem to find it specific to an 08 R32 in simple terms.

Your VW dealer doesn't know what he's talking about. I swapped the MFD2 in my R32 with an RNS-510E from Peteski. I also addded a Kufatec FISCON VW Basic Plus bluetooth from OEMPlus (highly recommended) and MDI in center console (also from Peteski). I also replaced the stock amp with the Dynaudio unit from a Jetta that I found on eBay.

The RNS-510 is by far the best addition I've made to my car. It was a direct PnP swap with minor VDCS changes. With the cables provided by Peteski and Kufatec, I had no issues whatsoever. HD radio, Sirius, streaming BT audio, iPod integration, great nav and the stock speakers sound great with the added amp power. Overall, a terrific upgrade.

[BarryT82]

If you want oem bluetooth there's a guy who sells 9W7 kits with a plug and play harness on eBay for $300. Just search for 9W7 bluetooth.