RCD300 (2005 gti) Upgrade options

[Vitamin_p]

Im looking to replace my RCD300 soon and understand there may be problems with battery drain on some upgrade options? Can someone clarify my options? Id really like a touch screen headunit if its possible? Thanks in advance!

[skard]

If you get an OEM third generation HU (RNS510/RCD510) you will get battery drain.
The gateways can be done do cheaply now it is pointless using modded anti-drain firmwares.

Aftermarket units aren't an issue for the CAN gateway

[Vitamin_p]

So which hu's can I 'plug and play'?

[skard]

MFD2 (wouldn't bother), RCD500 (same as yours with CD changer), MP3 version of yours that takes MP3 discs.

Some report the RNS315 doesn't drain batteries.

Otherwise, aftermarket or a replacement gateway

[paulw123]

if you want OEM and satnav, I'd look into the RNS315 as skard says, if I were you.
have a search around in here for non OEM options as well. Comes down to how much you want to spend, as well as what your must haves are.

[Vitamin_p]

Great info guys, much appreciated  could someone explain the gateways to me? My old scirocco had a touch screen that I'd like to put in the golf, not sure of the model number though!

[J400uk]

RNS 310 seems to work without battery drain. Its slightly older than the 315 but easier to update the maps and supports the Highline instrument cluster display in a Mk5 (315 doesn't).

For the other units you'll need to update the CAN Gateway at the same time. There should be a guide on here somewhere for that I think as the question comes up quite often!

[bad devotions]

Great info guys, much appreciated  could someone explain the gateways to me? My old scirocco had a touch screen that I'd like to put in the golf, not sure of the model number though!

Just been through all this mate with my mk5. Basically the touchscreen models are wired different and your existing CAN gateway is not up to par in understanding it. As such the amp on the head unit stays on with the keys out of the ignition and after a couple of days.... flat battery. To get around this a newer CAN gateway can be fitted which understands that you have an RCD510/RNS510 and will properly power it down therefore averting any battery issues.

At least that's what i understand anyway.

I've just put an RCD 510 DAB into my mk5 and also a new can gateway and it's been fine. Incidentally i've also put a cheapo chinese RCD rip off from eBay into my 2003 Touran (which would also suffer the same issues as using an OEM headunit) and so far so good.

[Vitamin_p]

Great info, cheers bad! Think it's the RCD510 I'm looking at too.

[paulw123]

There is a fuse box jumper lead option as well to cure battery drain, on the net somewhere, which changes the headunit power feed to one that goes through the ignition key circuits.