Log 13: The Sound of (Bluetooth) Music
Is a bluetooth compatible radio really that much to ask for, Volkswagen?
Back when I was choosing which Polo to get, one of the many reasons I was swayed by the 1.2 TSI Sport over the non-sport model was the fact that it had an upgraded head unit (infotainment system) which allowed both USB and aux input through dongles in the glovebox, because as much as I love to hear engine noise sometimes you just want the car to be your own mobile iPod.
USB and aux would have sufficed but another nicety was having bluetooth connectivity as I did have that function in the SUV I was driving. And I did indeed use it a lot when I want to listen to Spotify from the phone or when I have incoming phone calls.
Editor’s note: I can already hear people having the opinion that you can indeed use the aux jack to stream Spotify music but remember the aux jack is located in the glovebox so I will need to run an unsightly cable across the length of the dashboard which is just a big no no in my mind.
So imagine my surprise to discover that the head unit in the Sport models do have a secret bluetooth menu which was not advertised in all the marketing material or in any of the articles about the car.
Curious I thought.
I was certain Volkswagen would want to advertise this as another feature the Polo has to justify that insane MSRP when new.
However in a cruel irony (that only VW can pull off), apparently the head unit does indeed support bluetooth connectivity, BUT the head units in the Sport models needed a special bluetooth module (which is located separate from the head unit itself). AND in a frankly stupid cost cutting measure VW decided to omit the bluetooth module (which should have been under the passenger seat).
So you are able to see the bluetooth connectivity menu on the tiny 8-bit screen on the head unit but nothing actually happens.
Which is infuriating.
Any normal person at this point would have just gave up on the idea of having bluetooth connectivity in their car and moved on with their lives but to me, bluetooth connectivity is a quality of life (QoL) modification that needs to be done.
As easy as buying a Chinese made Android head unit is from Lazada, I am admittedly the weird fool who wants to make life harder for himself and insists on a stock VW head-unit for the Polo. For one, it looks better than the Chinese Android units, but more importantly it should work with the steering wheel controls which is essential.
Thankfully in the infinite wisdom of VW (or maybe just more cost cutting measures), the infotainment systems are a parts-bin special where most of the VW infotainment systems slot neatly into any of the VW models, which brings me on to the weird world of Volkswagen infotainment systems of the early 2010s.
A brief overview of the Volkswagen infotainment systems of the early 2010s:
Disclaimer: This is in no way a consumer advice overview, but instead what I learnt along the way when choosing a head unit for the Polo. Also note that I am only talking about RCD head units which means only radio systems, and not the RNS head units which incorporates navigation. Furthermore it is worth mentioning that whichever head unit is installed in your VW, they are all MP3 compatible and (save for the base level RCD210 system) should have some sort of optical parking system (OPS) as such:
RCD210 - The base level infotainment system. Found in the Polo 1.2 TSI non-sport models. Essentially a single DIN system with no features whatsoever. Avoid entirely or upgrade as soon as possible.
RCD310 - One level up from the base single DIN RCD210. Fitted to the Polo 1.2 TSI Sport models. Features both USB and aux connections through dongles in the glovebox. Separate bluetooth module means no bluetooth connectivity even if it says so on the (pixellated non-colour) menu screen.
RCD330/340 - An infotainment system with a 5 inch colour touchscreen. Fitted to most VW models of the 2010s. Bluetooth and MirrorLink compatible. Has USB, aux and SD card slots too, not in the best of places however (sticking out right from the head unit). Some variants (RCD340 and RCD330 Plus depending) have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
RCD510 - The most slick head unit of the VW infotainment range (offered in Malaysia). Largest colour touchscreen display of the range at 6.5 inches. Found in most of the higher end models in the VW range. Consists of a CD player as well as all the other features of the RCD330 range.
For a more detailed overview of the head units, click here.
Now back to the story, a new head unit I knew was out of the question as although it’s a parts-bin sharing is caring special, a VW part is still a VW part and it won’t be cheap. And since I was adamant that I did not want a cheap tacky (Chinese) Android head unit there was only one real alternative left to me and that was to scour the classifieds for a used unit.
But even on the classifieds, being a VW part the head units on offer ain’t cheap. The creme dé la creme RCD510s were still near as damn it RM1000, so the wallet made the decision for me to go for the cheaper RCD330. And once I made my peace with the decision of having the USB, aux and SD card slot jutting out of the head unit, I was able to find a used RCD330 head unit on carousell for a slightly more palatable price of RM650.
Editor’s note: The prices on VW head units actually vary drastically (as based on supply and demand) so best thing to do is to shop around. I used to think the best deals were on Carousell but in subsequent times I found you can get a decent (used) RCD510 unit for about RM500 if you are willing to wait for one to pop up from one of the Volkswagen Owners Club Facebook Marketplace group. On that same note, I have also seen RCD330s going for up to RM1.4k but those are completely brand spanking new, out of the box with installation included etc. but when your car is getting on a bit in age do you really need a new head unit?
A slight confession now. I didn’t actually went to get the head-unit fitted as due to logistical issues I took the SUV down to Johor instead for the mean time at least, so someone else took the Polo to get the head-unit fitted on my behalf.
The used unit I purchased came out of a Volkswagen Beetle which had upgraded to the fancier RCD510 head-unit. See, trickle-down economics at work.
As for the installation, it was pretty much a breeze. It was done so fast that there isn’t really much to write about (partly because I wasn’t there to witness it), but based on the testimony of the person who took the Polo to get the head unit fitted, the installation was a simple plug-and-play affair without any complex fiddling throughout the duration of getting it into the dashboard.
As for the unit itself, it is compatible with the steering wheel controls. There is no Android Auto on this particular cheaper model however but I managed this long in life without it so I’m sure I’ll hold out for a bit longer.
In regards to the functionality and functions of the (new-to-me) RCD330, it is, as expected for a German product, quite intuitive to use. Being a touchscreen it is akin to using an iPad, but as it is not the latest and greatest of touchscreens thankfully still physical knobs for the volume and for changing tracks (although the steering wheel controls take care of those functions too). The bluetooth is also surprisingly fast on the pairing considering it is an older system. If, like me, you leave the bluetooth on the entire time, the pairing is almost instantaneous once you start the car, which is nice. And the bluetooth connection quality is decent too.
Yes, the screen resolution isn’t as crisp as the current generation systems and there is no fancy gesture controls or voice command or even satellite navigation, but it’s not too big of a deal. I can still read the name of the current track playing at a glance and I much prefer physical tactile buttons to control the volume or switch to the next track. And as for satellite navigation that’s what Waze is for. Also if you are an audiophile the MP3 player isn’t FLAC compatible so you have been forewarned.
So there it is, the first (of hopefully many) modifications that will be attempted on the Polo, sure it ain’t a fancy performance kit or even a stage 1 tune (or even a performance air filter for that matter), but this was probably the one of the main priority modification as although as a petrolhead: car = life, but sometimes (read: most of the time) actual life takes precedent and car = tool for getting you from A to B comfortably and this mod certainly makes even the most arduous of journeys just a little bit more tolerable.
0 — 100:
Oh I didn’t know there is a bluetooth option for my head unit.
Nope, VW lies.
Ah well time to get a new head unit then, this time with bluetooth compatibility.
Picky little me wants a factory VW unit for that oh so important stock look.
The wallet dictates RCD330 is the only viable option.
Slight confession, didn’t actually fit it myself. Took the SUV to Johor instead. So someone else took it to get it fitted on my behalf.
Factory VW RCD330 unit is a plug and play system. Works with the steering wheel controls. No android auto.
First mod complete! Yay!