Mk5 new to me - few queries

[mcblfc88]

Picked up Mk5 Gti for my mrs yesterday, drives really well, think it’s been mapped.. seems rather quick for 200bhp.

Questions:

Was it possible to have headlight washers without xenons? Because the washers are present but the lights don’t look like xenons to me, not very white at all???

It’s got a shark fin aerial, was this a factory fitted option? If so what was the purpose of it?

It’s got some crap head unit that I guess is an aftermarket copy of the rns510, so looking for a genuine unit... is that the one to go for or is there a better plug and play option?

Finally, the car has steering wheel controls, does that mean a mk6 gti wheel is plug and play or is there more to it?

[Octoparrot]

Yes you could get headlight washers without xenons as part of the winter pack I think.

[Dogma]

Yes you are correct you could. Mine has them


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[mcblfc88]

The whole time I was looking I was looking at the headlight washers as the definitive sign the car had xenons. Turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong

Oh well, upgraded headlight bulbs it is...

Anyone clear up my other queries???

[Stefanwalker14]

@mcblfc88

Mind has the headlight washers but unfortunately I do not have xenons, so I am in the same boat as you with very yellow head bulbs! Heard Phillips racing vision are the best alternative

[v4rley]

I was under the same impression that washers meant xenon, suppose a definitive answer would be to check the plug on the headlights, as if they have been downgraded would have an adapter between the loom and headlight

[mcblfc88]

Had a look in the dark last night, don't think they are xenon's, but have upgrade bulbs in which don't look too bad in all fairness, in the day light looked very yellow but no so much after dark. Not the end of the world but would have liked the xenons!

Anyone help with the other queries?

Mainly the headunit one, is the shark fin aerial a gps antenna? meaning hopefully an RNS510 will go straight in no problems?

Going to ring up VW and see if they can email me over a factory spec for the car that will clear up a couple of things.

[rich83]

I was under the same impression that washers meant xenon, suppose a definitive answer would be to check the plug on the headlights, as if they have been downgraded would have an adapter between the loom and headlight

Mine had no xenons but washers as part of the winter pack. I was quite amazed that some of the Edition 30s didnt have xenons when I was buying mine.

[ady-uk]

Factory fitted xenons have to leave the factory with washers fitted.
Washers can be fitted as an additional option regardless of headlights.

If you have factory xenons
When you start the engine, they'll move fully down, fully up & then level.
By the light switch inside, you'll only have one up / down wheel do adjust interior light dimming
(there isn't a manual up / down headlight adjust wheel)

[BigstickytoffeeGTI30]

2nd Phillips racing vision. Very nice white light with good range.

[Octoparrot]

I'm using Philips racing vision as well and am quite happy with them.

[mcblfc88]

Definitely not xenons, have the manual beam adjustment.

Silly me thinking headlight washers was a sure fire sign for xenons

Anyone assist with the shark fin aerial thing? Would that have been factory fitted to cars with satnav?

[The Red Warrior]

@mcblfc88 to answer your other queries, yes the shark fin is gps antenna. However, the rns510 is old technology and still fairly expensive. Most people now go with a version of the RCD330plus, with apple CarPlay or android auto or both depending on what phone(s) they have.

The mk5 to mk6 steering wheel conversion will still need a different wiring loom (among other things) as the airbag is different. 

[mcblfc88]

Just used VW's customer service online chat system, really impressed... efficient quick service and was clearly speaking to a human who understood me not a copy and paste cyborg.

Anyway, cleared up the factory spec mysteries as was starting to think i'd bought a lemon...

Tornado Red
Anthracite Leather
Side airbag system rear (5 door only)
DVD (Europe)
Cruise control
Luxury pack 2 (?????)
Monza II 7.5J x 18"
Multi-function steering wheel inc highline
DVD Navigation/radio system
Parking sensors
iPod prep in front centre armrest
Leather upholstery with top sports seats
Winter pack

Disappointed in myself for not noticing xenons weren't present, but i'm sure you'll agree not a bad spec!