Aftermarket Radio

[maz124s]

Hi All

Looking very closely at 110TDI Highline, after much reading on these forums I just don't trust the 7 Speed DSG so will stick with 6 Speed DSG

My question is it possible to install an aftermarket radio in the Mk7 Golf or do u need the current system for other Car functions - I am very keen on the new Headunits out with the Apple CarPlay functionality which could replace the crappy Sat Nav on the factory unit

[Matt P]

I'm not all that happy with the genuine VW nav but i just use google maps on my phone. Bought a holder that sits up alongside the stereo from these guys Mobile Phone & GPS Car Holder | HoldMyPhone

I probably wouldn't trust an aftermarket unit unless it came from a name brand like pioneer/alpine/etc.. The chinese ones just seem like more trouble than they're worth

edit: there is this if you want - HiTV Communications Integrated in car entertainment solution, digital TV GPS DVD headrest but its not a proper 8" upgrade

[Lemonskin]

The VW screen shows more than just radio and nav... It has information on the car and it's status too. This may not come up on an aftermarket unit, I don't know...

[DV52]

Hi All

Looking very closely at 110TDI Highline, after much reading on these forums I just don't trust the 7 Speed DSG so will stick with 6 Speed DSG

My question is it possible to install an aftermarket radio in the Mk7 Golf or do u need the current system for other Car functions - I am very keen on the new Headunits out with the Apple CarPlay functionality which could replace the crappy Sat Nav on the factory unit

maz124s: I reckon the VW SATNAV is appalling! Same goes for VW's decision to sell the mk7 in Australia with AM radio instead of DAB+. What century does VW think it is? I understand that VW sells the mk7 in UK with DAB radio which is more appropriate for here. Lemonskin's point about the discover media screen showing more than just radio is perfectly valid. So, in a perect world, I would try and find a Discover media unit that does DAB (and FM) radio - using Australian frequency standards and to go for a separate commercial GPS (i.e. non VW). I'm sure that there will be soon competitors to the Discover media Pro in Australia. Might be worth waiting.

[stedes]

maz124s: I reckon the VW SATNAV is appalling! Same goes for VW's decision to sell the mk7 in Australia with AM radio instead of DAB+. What century does VW think it is? I understand that VW sells the mk7 in UK with DAB radio which is more appropriate for here. Lemonskin's point about the discover media screen showing more than just radio is perfectly valid. So, in a perect world, I would try and find a Discover media unit that does DAB (and FM) radio - using Australian frequency standards and to go for a separate commercial GPS (i.e. non VW). I'm sure that there will be soon competitors to the Discover media Pro in Australia. Might be worth waiting.

Hi DV

I too think not having DAB+ is appalling. I've used it at home and it's so much easier, clearer and gives so much more choice than FM. AM....yeah....I haven't used that since I was about 6. However...don't forget that DAB and DAB+ are not the same and a DAB tuner will not receive anything DAB+ as unfortunately there's no backwards compatibility built in to the standard...what I mean is that a station transmitting in DAB+ does not (unfortunately) have to also transmit a DAB signal for older devices. UK and European stations do this but that's because DAB has been used there for 10 years or so, so stations which are actually DAB are now upgrading to DAB+ (but transmitting in both)

Unfortunately in Australia because it took so long to adopt DAB they went straight to DAB+ so nothing transmits in DAB. Checking the configurators for the UK and Germany, DAB+ isn't available as an option, only DAB. So in essence even if VWofA gave us DAB it wouldn't actually receive anything here. Now...judging by how long it took car manufacturers to respond to DAB in Europe I'm not holding my breath for DAB+ but if this becomes available at some point one might hope that it is retrofittable like it is in other cars (BMW/Audi and even Mk5 and Mk6 Golfs)....

[Matt P]

I think you will find anything that can receive DAB+ will also receive DAB so the overseas market units will play our standard.

Not really sure that there are discover media units that have dab tuners?

[pologti18t]

Coverage maps for Australia

Digital Radio Plus: In Car Reception

It's pretty much the reason that DAB+ has stalled in this country.

We would have been better served with a satellite system like the USA has. Welcome to the world of satellite radio - SiriusXM Radio

[Matt P]

i think i remember hearing rollout costs for satellite systems are much higher. When you have 300 million people to listen its not a big problem but when you have 22 million the economics don't stack up

[Hillbilly]

i think i remember hearing rollout costs for satellite systems are much higher. When you have 300 million people to listen its not a big problem but when you have 22 million the economics don't stack up

There wont be 300 mil listening to Sirius anyway as its a subscription service and is about $29 a month after your free period in a car radio.

Am in the USA at present.

We have a Hyundai rental ATM which has it free for 3 months. The rental I had 2 years ago had a year free so they have cut that back.

Sirius have just given previous users a free week to encourage them to resubscribe so they cant be doing so well either.

[maz124s]

Thanks everyone for your replies - I was more trying to find out if anyone had attempted or thought it was possible to install an aftermarket unit

I think trying to import the Discovery System would still be a waste as it will be high expense and ur still stuck with the crappy factory Nav unit

I was looking at Pioneer headunit which will have its own maps and then utilize Apple Carplay so u get all benefits of the inhouse Phone provided apps and music

There wont be 300 mil listening to Sirius anyway as its a subscription service and is about $29 a month after your free period in a car radio.

Am in the USA at present.

We have a Hyundai rental ATM which has it free for 3 months. The rental I had 2 years ago had a year free so they have cut that back.

Sirius have just given previous users a free week to encourage them to resubscribe so they cant be doing so well either.