I have just replaced an RCD 300 with a DAB 510 in my 2008 MK5 GT Sport 170.
Firstly, the links and info in the initial post are spot on. - Thank very much.
Additional thoughts and findings:
Tools:
In addition, or to emphasise the importance of, those mentioned in the article and links:
Trim removal tools are essential.
You need a screw driver with changeable bits to remove the C pillar Torx T25 top screw- a socket set is too large to fit the 'airbag hole'
Inspection mirror - for the connections to the aerial at the rear of the car.
Torch - to look at the mirror!
Finally a real nice to have - An ipad, laptop (or similar) with all the web pages stored so that you can view as you go. - very very useful.
The job:
The RCD 300 is a snug fit coming out and the RCD 510 is equally hard to refit.
Note - I did not have any aux or bluetooth equipment. If you have these you MUST carry out the pin swaps as detailed here:
http://www.my-gti.com/1328and here:
http://www.my-gti.com/1336Somewhere on the internet there is a copy of VW's own instructions for fitting 3rd generation radios in place of 2nd generation. This also details the pin changes required.
I purchased an adapter harness from ebay for the AM & FM aerial cables:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180804978211?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1074wt_215The twin socket would only fit to the radio body in one sense but the tails would fit to either cable. I ensured that the cables were in the same order as on the RCD 300 and everything appears to work.
I chose to fit the Blaupunkt A-RD T 01-M available here:
http://www.bluespot.co.uk/car-audio.aspx/am-fm-dab-roof-aerialNote: This is a full installation kit including all the wires and fittings you will need (VHF, DAB, and 12V are included - I only used the DAB aerial lead as the rest are not required or are already in the car) As such it is very good value for money.
I was not sure whether I would have to run a separate 12V supply to the aerial but I connected it up to the radio with the dash in bits and this proved it not be required. I understand that VW run 12V down the coax sheathing and this obviously powers the amps in the Blaupunkt aerial base.
The aerial cable that comes with the Blaupunkt has a Fakra connection on one end and a straight mini coax metal connector on the other. I pushed the metal connector into the RCD 510 DAB socket - a perfect, tight, fit and used the Fakra at the aerial end.
As I say, I connected up the new aerial at various stages to check for functionality (don't forget to screw the mast on for these tests)
I routed the aerial wire as described (working from front to back so that I could test with the aerial as necessary). - It was plenty long enough.
Take your time with the work to fit the aerial under the headlining and clean your hands first!
When removing the plastic trim across the back of the headlining make sure you have all the metal clips as the end ones tend to stay in the roof - they are easy to retrieve from the body and refit.
It is hard to remove the white socket that connects the original aerial lead to the cars internal wiring. The two sockets are held to the car by a clip - this is where the inspection mirror and torch come in really handy.
I found it necessary to slightly reroute the car's aerial lead so that it would meet the VHF lead from the aerial - it does it but only just. (VW/Audi do sell extension leads in varying lengths)
The radio came with its code and this was input on initial start up.
The radio is now fully functioning - FM, AM, DAB and CD. The sound quality is so much better than the RCD 300. I live in a very poor area for DAB (My DAB radios in my house struggle) and the DAB sound quality driving around is excellent. (The 12V feed to the aerial would appear to not be required.)
So how much did all this cost?
RCD 510 DAB £260 + £20 p&p from ebay
Aerial adapter £12.99 + £1.50 p&p from ebay
Blaupunkt DAB aerial (as listed above) £89.99 incl p&p
Total £384.48
and.....
An afternoon of head scratching.