Pioneer AVH-8400BT to replace a RCD 300

[Meat and 2 Veg]

Hi guys & girls,


I currently have an RCD300 which I want to replace asap due to it being completely useless - screen display is poor/can't see it during the day and I don't use cd's anymore, not having a usb/ipod connection sucks.

I don't want to replace it will any of the other RCD models as they are not for me.

I've been looking at the double din Pioneer AVH-8400BT .... price is £420 to £700 depending on where you shop.

1st of all, does anyone know if it's compatible with the 2005 golf gti?

Secondly, other than the Zenec's, are there any other double din (large screened) stereo's out there that look good and most of all perform well (music wise)?

Unfortunately, there are no longer any car audio dealer's near me other than Halfords but they were completely useless when I visited the store.

Any help would be much appreciated :)

[jameelno1]

should work mate u just need to get the right iso connector converter if u have steering controls cost around £35 u will need the double din faceplate and a twin fakra antenna aswel and your good to go  my brother has the pioneer 3300bt in his works a charm sound ace aswel.

zenac ones are over priced if u want to stay oem then get the rns 510

chinese copies are ok i have one sound isnt the best but has every feature including freeview tv u get what you pay for


 i still would go for either pioneer, alpine or kenwood ones instead  better sound and looks 

[Andy]

i got the alpine ine-s900r--its a could piece of kit and can be had 2nd hand within your price range

[jameelno1]

Rns 510 is around £300 off eBay and straight fit don't bother with getting it from vw cost u about £1000+ without fitting and speakers u could get off eBay aswel around £100 vw will charge alot more

[jameelno1]

if u are going for the rns-510 its a straight fit u might need to change the canbus if u get battery drain issues no need to get extra wiring

as for aftermarket headunits u will need the wiring adaptors, twin fakra anttena so u dont need to cut any wires then and the facias  thats about  it i think

speaker wise is a bit more technical best to amp speakers with a 6/8 channel amp depending on how many speakers u want in the car

there is the retro fit rainbows iq lines 320.65 on ebay for £600 which is expensive
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rainbow-IQ-Line-231403-VW-Golf-Mk5-Front-Speaker-Upgrade-Pack-8-4-Tweeter-/170809964085?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item27c5113635#ht_2568wt_1136

but go for either the focal 165 or the hertz 163 will work out cheaper there are a few tutorials on other forums google them

i wouldnt bother with speakers on the parcel shelf just stick with the factory locations on the car allot of people who have upgraded have kept to the factory location and just put a subwoofer in the boot and love the setup but its entirely up to you 

[dub singh]

Get yourself down to Car audio security... esp as they'll be having there annual sale at the end of this month... Prices on pretty much everything will be reduced!!

[jameelno1]

Cheers,

Re the existing speaker locations, I assume you mean to use the same spots, just replace them with an upgrade?

If I need a CAN upgrade, is that something a car audio dealer can do or a VW/mobile installer job?  From looking on the net, would I be looking at approx £200?

As you can see, my car entertainment knowledge is zilch, lol

Yep factory locations just upgrade the speakers
Canbus is dealer job for the oem headunits or on this forum sum on here sells them or can get em for half that I think
Aftermarket ones are connects 2 for the pioneer, alpine etc headunits
u will only need that if u get battery drain and for mfsw controls to work

[skard]

It will be known as a CAN Gateway and will start with part number 1K0907530 - the letter on the end being the revision and you want 1K0907530L onwards should you go the OEM route.
Eddie-NL on here is the man to speak to, he could supply this at a much more reasonable rate and could assist as he is a top guy.

Don't count out the Zenec's, I see they constantly get slated for the price tag. Granted £830 is expensive considering they are getting more expensive with age due to the exchange rate. However I got one less than a year old from eBay Germany for almost half that, and you could get a brand new one for less than what you quoted - UK stores just import them anyway.

Don't forget it comes with integrated Parrot bluetooth, you don't have to change your CAN gateway, it has OEM wiring so goes off with ignition and shows navigation/track info/caller ID on the highline display and multifunction wheel if you have it.

Not only that it has excellent sound, connectivity (loads of RCA, reversing camera inputs etc) and if you have an ipod/iphone it can charge whilst playing music and video!
The Igo navigation is also very good - I have the very latest TeleAtlas maps on it and speed cameras, I've since retired my always updated TomTom.
I put some pics up here a while back http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,43748.msg508087.html#msg508087

You should try one before ruling it out, don't bother with the cheap Chinese ones as the menus on them make Ripspeed ones look classy.

I'm not saying this is the best stereo out there (honestly, I'm not!) but if you want 'bang for the buck' and as close to OEM as possible without buying RNS510 then this is one you want to consider.

[monte]

I went to my VW dealer (lookers) - mentioned the canbus and the parts guy looked at me like I was from a different planet.  He didn't have a clue what it was. Secondly, he said they don't do any modifications!

What's the technical name for a canbus and what model do I need?

Where a bouts are you mate?

[monte]

Rns 510 is around £300 off eBay and straight fit don't bother with getting it from vw cost u about £1000+ without fitting and speakers u could get off eBay aswel around £100 vw will charge alot more

There are a few guys on here that could help you get a great RNS510. There are a few versions now. Starting A,B,C….etc I think they are now on G???

If you can try and get a C version or newer to benefit from the LED screen. I however have the B version which has been upgraded to a D version and it is amazing.
Definitely one of my best mods. 

Id be expecting to pay around £400-£500 for a decent RNS510. They are really easy to fit, and if needed there are quite a few members that do em in their sleep. 

I wouldn't bother upgrading the speakers yet. I would just get an RNS510 fitted and see what you think. They do sound great even with stock speakers. But if you need a bit more, you can add em later.

Don't even think about going to VW  They are £1983 +VAT 

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/accessories/all?mark=all&search=rns+510
There is a Lookers VW near me in Lincoln. Is that where you are from? If so, and you want to see an RNS510 demo, let me know 

[jameelno1]

ive got the chinese one erisin got it off ebay straight forward fit
mine is the es968v they stopped selling these but have other models
heres a video on youtube not mine but similar

[RobboGTI]

I'm after this pioneer unit as well! I'll hang on till this caraudiosecurity sale!

[RobboGTI]

Sorry for the thread hijack but can somebody compose a list with links for all the adapters I need for the listed pioneer unit.
There's so many online while searching and I'm pretty confused :-(

[RobboGTI]

Got it now! Awesome headunit and does everything I could ever want!

[jameelno1]

that looks well nice how much did it cost you