[fsa299]

As much as I love keeping things OEM on my Bora, I am very tempted by the convenience of CarPlay. Wondering if anyone who has made this move, and retired their Gamma, would recommend any head units in particular? They all seem to be double DIN with massive screens, so hopefully shouldn't look too out of place...

Any installation pitfalls I should look out for? I imagine the cruise control on the MFSW will be unaffected but will I lose the media controls?

 

[northpole]

most have support for the steeringwheel controls but you'll need to get an extra adaptor for it plus you'll need a VW golf mk4 double din facia but that is all. There are a few different universal ones but i would just go to a specialist and ask about the model you want and what steeringwheel control adaptor brand they recommend with that headunit.

So you'll need:

• headunit (needs to come with- security cage and tools to remove it- it's accessories like, cables, mic, reverse camera etc etc)
• steering wheel control adaptor box and SOT cable
• MK4 double din facia

PS you can always buy the lot used to keep the price down but make sure it has everything in the list above.

 

[fsa299]

most have support for the steeringwheel controls but you'll need to get an extra adaptor for it plus you'll need a VW golf mk4 double din facia but that is all. There are a few different universal ones but i would just go to a specialist and ask about the model you want and what steeringwheel control adaptor brand they recommend with that headunit.

So you'll need:

• headunit (needs to come with- security cage and tools to remove it- it's accessories like, cables, mic, reverse camera etc etc)
• steering wheel control adaptor box and SOT cable
• MK4 double din facia

PS you can always buy the lot used to keep the price down but make sure it has everything in the list above.

Temptation is to buy used, so thank you for this list. I'll source security cage, tools and fascia.

Is the adaptor box and SOT cable something like this: Qinndhto RCN210 Car Radio Multifunction Steering Wheel Control Adapter Fit For VW Golf 4 5 6 Jetta MK4 MK5 fit for passat B5 B6 Polo 9N Adapters (Color Name : Jetta MK4) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Thanks for your help!

 

[northpole]

Temptation is to buy used, so thank you for this list. I'll source security cage, tools and fascia.

Is the adaptor box and SOT cable something like this: Qinndhto RCN210 Car Radio Multifunction Steering Wheel Control Adapter Fit For VW Golf 4 5 6 Jetta MK4 MK5 fit for passat B5 B6 Polo 9N Adapters (Color Name : Jetta MK4) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Thanks for your help!

Yes but get your headunit first... not all of them have the right cable for the car or the headunit...that is why i pointed it out.

 

[fsa299]

Yes but get your headunit first... not all of them have the right cable for the car or the headunit...that is why i pointed it out.

Understood. Thank you very much!

 

[Rgm36]

I was going to do the same - upgrade to a double-DIN head unit and I chose the Kenwood DMX8020DABS. What's held me back was 1. Price and 2. A niggling doubt about the location of it in the dash - modern cars have screens mounted much higher so you aren't taking your eyes off the road and I just think the screen is too low down in the Golf. I use the GPS a lot, plus I travel on motorways to get to work. So in the end I decided to stay old school and have my phone mounted on a windscreen mount wired into an aftermarket single DIN stereo via AUX. It's a bit of a faff getting going when I get in every time, putting the phone in the holder, connecting the power and AUX cables, but then I'm done and my primary GPS and entertainment screen is right where I want it without taking my eyes off the road for what can be a crucial half-second or so. Mine is an android phone so I put it in Android Auto mode and it works well for driving, phone calls, music apps and GPS all easily accessible.

 

[northpole]

i got an all singing and dancing double din pioneer avh headunit with both apple carplay and android auto in the daily vectra... i also think the screen is down to low. So I use my phone for the satnav but mainly because the maps are up to date, the holder is mounted on the windscreen so directly in sight, the phone is easier to get to work, no touch needed, i just say the right commands.

but audio and looks wise it is an upgrade and a half compared to the oem radio... and that for me was enough reason to go for it... bought it 2nd hand and got it at a bargain price... just bought these 2 items new

• steeringwheel control adaptor
• facia

after installation the audio output on the oem speakers has improved loads, that much i haven't replaced them with aftermarket speakers yet. (they are directly ran off the headunit)

 

[fsa299]

A niggling doubt about the location of it in the dash.

I had not even considered this; thank you for highlighting! I will give it all another think and see if I can deal with the positioning.

audio and looks wise it is an upgrade and a half compared to the oem radio

I think this would apply to the MK4, as I'm sure I read the Gamma is underpowered for the OEM speakers?

 

[northpole]

I had not even considered this; thank you for highlighting! I will give it all another think and see if I can deal with the positioning.



I think this would apply to the MK4, as I'm sure I read the Gamma is underpowered for the OEM speakers?

It would do the same as I just put a Sony xplod in the mk4 golf than replaced it with a pioneer avic xr1 bt...
Both times the oem speakers sounded better running straight of the radio... my daily now is a vauxhall vectra c saloon... same effect and the placement is in the same spot... and although I still have the avic headunit it is a pita to install so I went for a newer pioneer headunit with the same options and more

Also the audio has way more settings than the avic I had before so I am happy with it. So don't be put off by the fact I installed mine in another car ,the installation is even worse on the vectra with it's integrated canbus system in every single module that speak to one another...

 

[manicslothpdx]

You may get different models in the UK, but if you're concerned about an OEM look, I highly recommend the Sony units with a volume knob. This is a US model:

Sony 6.2" Apple® CarPlay™ Built-in Bluetooth In-Dash Digital Media Receiver Black XAVAX1000 - Best Buy

Shop Sony 6.2" Apple® CarPlay™ Built-in Bluetooth In-Dash Digital Media Receiver Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

This is a slightly different model, but the idea is basically the same:

stereo.jpg

• manicslothpdx
• 11 mo ago

stereo2.JPG

• manicslothpdx
• 11 mo ago

stereo3.JPG

• manicslothpdx
• 11 mo ago

If you squint, you could confuse it with a modern version of the OEM nav unit

oem_nav.png

• manicslothpdx
• 11 mo ago

 

[fsa299]

Also the audio has way more settings than the avic I had before so I am happy with it. So don't be put off by the fact I installed mine in another car ,the installation is even worse on the vectra with it's integrated canbus system in every single module that speak to one another...

Thank you for this, looking forward to the better audio! I've gone through the pinned thread on MKIV stereo electrics, so I think I should be able to do it.

Will need to work out a way to get into the right A-pillar for the microphone, the left for the DAB stick-on aerial and get creative with where I put the USB socket on the dash. But I'll look into that once I've found a head unit.

If you squint, you could confuse it with a modern version of the OEM nav unit

I'm mildly squinting and can't see a difference. Thanks for signposting the Sony!

 

[fsa299]

The Sony XAV-AX3005DB went in months ago, with steering wheel controls working brilliantly. I left it unfinished though and only just got round to fitting the microphone and windscreen DAB aerial under the A-pillars. As expected, the DAB signal is ropey, but 'Hey Siri' works. I'm not brave enough to lower the headlining yet to switch the aerial, so I'll live with it for now.

The HU came with a cage and facia, which I think is universal and looks like this. There was no satisfying 'click' when I put it in and there's about 5mm gap above it...is this normal? It sits reasonably flush with the facia which came with it, but the only minor annoyance is the back of the HU drops slightly after some driving, so it ends up at an angle and no longer stays flush.

I think I need to put something under the cage to keep it propped up, or find a different cage/facia. Would appreciate any thoughts or other ideas though.

 

[northpole]

They sell car specific double din facias, I suggest you get one

 

[fsa299]

They sell car specific double din facias, I suggest you get one

Thank you, I will do. I have seen ones which are just the front bezel to clip onto the cage, and others which have flanges on either side to be screwed to the HU. Would you recommend one over the other?

 

[northpole]

not really i've used both.. both have their ups and downs... the ones you screw to the unit make it harder for the unit to click into their locking position in the cage, the ones that just clip onto the cage like to break the clips... in both cases once the headunit is locked into the cage, the bezel stays put regardless.

so get whatever you can get and comes closest to the trim in the car.

 

[fsa299]

so get whatever you can get and comes closest to the trim in the car.

Thank you so much, I appreciate it.