Summary of Bluetooth Options for RNS510 & RCD510

[MurphyTheElf]

I just ordered my 9W7 bluetooth from Ebay from a guy in Spain. Feedback score of 886 and 100% feedback. I have had a few emails with him and it all seems kosher. All up was AU$399.48 which is pretty decent considering I almost forked out $470 from the Polish guy for one the other week. The bloke on Ebay is Bluewagon.

This sounds like a good deal to me. I might finally take the plunge. Does the kit come with microphone or any special wiring? And are you planning on installing it yourself or are you going to try a dealer (John Hughes won't do it) or autoelectrician to do it?

[Ryan_R]

Cool price - I'd nearly buy one and just swap the 9W3 module for it (there's a little voice in my head telling me not to waste my money for two extra features I'll never use).

Murphy - the kit from the Polish guy comes with everything you need (besides tools). The install takes a while the first time around but is pretty simple (assuming you can use a computer and program the VCR/PVR). It's more fiddly than anything else, when it comes to getting the microphone cable through the roof.

The only gotcha is that you need access to VCDS to enable the new phone features in your car, which most dealers are happy to do for about $80.

[Peteaussi]

This sounds like a good deal to me. I might finally take the plunge. Does the kit come with microphone or any special wiring? And are you planning on installing it yourself or are you going to try a dealer (John Hughes won't do it) or autoelectrician to do it?

Comes with all of the adaptors, microphone, all of the goodies. It is plug and play. I do understand that you need some VCDS modifications in order to get the full functionality. Talking to a bloke at Quattro motors he says about $45 bucks should do it if I get to that point.

[Syd118TSI]

I put the 730C (9w7) in the same time as putting in the RNS510 and it all works perfectly. The install wasn't hard, I mounted the bluetooth behind the climate controls below the RNS510. I used cable ties to hold it in place to prevent any potential noises/rattles. The cabling connects into the stereo connection, a couple of passthrough mic connections, then the mic cable gets run behind the dash up the a-pillar across the roof to the mic housing. SHould be able to do it all yourself without too much hassle, the cables are all ready to plug in. You'll need a T20 screwdriver to get the stereo out, and a T25 screwdriver to remove the a-pillar trim.

[Peteaussi]

I put the 730C (9w7) in the same time as putting in the RNS510 and it all works perfectly. The install wasn't hard, I mounted the bluetooth behind the climate controls below the RNS510. I used cable ties to hold it in place to prevent any potential noises/rattles. The cabling connects into the stereo connection, a couple of passthrough mic connections, then the mic cable gets run behind the dash up the a-pillar across the roof to the mic housing. SHould be able to do it all yourself without too much hassle, the cables are all ready to plug in. You'll need a T20 screwdriver to get the stereo out, and a T25 screwdriver to remove the a-pillar trim.

Muchly appreciated. Where are the screws for the a-pillar trim? I would've presumed it was just clipped onto the a-pillar as with most cars (at least my old Yaris and prior to that my civic coupe).

[LovemyGTI]

I put the 730C (9w7) in the same time as putting in the RNS510 and it all works perfectly. The install wasn't hard, I mounted the bluetooth behind the climate controls below the RNS510. I used cable ties to hold it in place to prevent any potential noises/rattles. The cabling connects into the stereo connection, a couple of passthrough mic connections, then the mic cable gets run behind the dash up the a-pillar across the roof to the mic housing. SHould be able to do it all yourself without too much hassle, the cables are all ready to plug in. You'll need a T20 screwdriver to get the stereo out, and a T25 screwdriver to remove the a-pillar trim.

Hi Syd118TSI

I currently have the 9w2 (AD2P, no address book) and was considering upgrading to the 9w7. However, some US forums suggested it is a straight swap out of the 9w2 with the 9w7 under the passenger seat. I looked under the seat and I don't see the foam box.

Mine was a dealer fit so I'm not sure where they installed it? In theory it should still be a straight swap (power, wiring loom to RNS, antenna, microphone all exist for the 9w2).

Would you have any words of wisdom to share with me?

[Syd118TSI]

Muchly appreciated. Where are the screws for the a-pillar trim? I would've presumed it was just clipped onto the a-pillar as with most cars (at least my old Yaris and prior to that my civic coupe).

Therer is one screw behind the AIRBAG plastic clip. Obviously be careful when removing the a-pillar trim as there is an airbag behind it. The clip itself clips out but requires a little bit of pressure. Removing the a-pillar trim makes it much easier to get the mic cable from the pillar across to the roof space where there is actually quite a bit of room to run the cable across over to the centre light console where the mic is mounted (also T20 screwdriver to remove this after unclipping the top using a thin card).

[Syd118TSI]

Hi Syd118TSI

I currently have the 9w2 (AD2P, no address book) and was considering upgrading to the 9w7. However, some US forums suggested it is a straight swap out of the 9w2 with the 9w7 under the passenger seat. I looked under the seat and I don't see the foam box.

Mine was a dealer fit so I'm not sure where they installed it? In theory it should still be a straight swap (power, wiring loom to RNS, antenna, microphone all exist for the 9w2).

Would you have any words of wisdom to share with me?

I wouldn;t take anything I say as gospel but it should be a straight swap once you locate the box! The 9w7 is all in one plastic enclosure (as I think is the 9w2) that has a single connector on it that includes the mic cable. I bought mine from the Polish ebay seller, so I can't say for sure how each cable set will be prepared. The length for all the cables was fine for me for mounting behind /under the dash under the stereo, if I had to mount it on the floor under the seat the cables would not have been sufficient length.

So I guess for you the important thing would be to locate the existing unit! I'd say the dealer would have installed it in the dash as there is plenty of room to do so. A call to them should confirm this for you.

[LovemyGTI]

I wouldn;t take anything I say as gospel but it should be a straight swap once you locate the box! The 9w7 is all in one plastic enclosure (as I think is the 9w2) that has a single connector on it that includes the mic cable. I bought mine from the Polish ebay seller, so I can't say for sure how each cable set will be prepared. The length for all the cables was fine for me for mounting behind /under the dash under the stereo, if I had to mount it on the floor under the seat the cables would not have been sufficient length.

So I guess for you the important thing would be to locate the existing unit! I'd say the dealer would have installed it in the dash as there is plenty of room to do so. A call to them should confirm this for you.

Thanks for the info. Can you point me to instructions on how to remove the RNS510 unit and see where the cables lead to? I can't see how else I can locate the existing unit!

[Maverick]

Hi Syd118TSI

I currently have the 9w2 (AD2P, no address book) and was considering upgrading to the 9w7. However, some US forums suggested it is a straight swap out of the 9w2 with the 9w7 under the passenger seat. I looked under the seat and I don't see the foam box.

You can look under the passenger seat as much as you want but we drive on the other side of the car so you should be looking under the drivers seat which is where the bluetooth kits should be installed.