[srinivasnvns]

I bought my Polo GT TSI in June 2015. Though I have been reading DIY threads since long, I did not get time to research and implement the modifications. The start of 2016, however, changed things. My brother-in-law was making to trip to India from Shanghai and this set the things rolling.

I opted for the least risky (read easy) modifications for my car and wanted to bring the functionality that was sorely missing in the stock. In this first set of modifications, I replaced the cabin lamp, added in an arm rest and changed the stock music system to an Android powered one.

Before I continue, I have to place on record my gratitude to Gannu_1, frankmehta, bowser and graaja for the work previously done.

Reference threads/links:

1. Gannu_1's thread on cabin lamp installation - VW Polo DIY: Upgrading cabin light, headlight switch & installing footwell lights

2. Gannu_1's thread on installation of arm rest - VW Polo DIY: OEM front armrest

3. frankmehta's post in that led me to Facebook post on the GTI arm rest installation

4. graaja's thread on android head unit installation - Android Head-Unit in my VW Polo GT TSI

I bought the items from AliExpress from the links provided in the above threads. I am repeating the links below with the price in USD. I got a deal on the cabin lamp and the head unit. I saved a lot of money on shipping and customs because these were shipped to Shanghai to my brother-in-law and he carried them to India.

1. Cabin lamp - seller link - USD 23

2. Leather arm rest - seller link - USD 69.42

3. Android head unit - seller link - USD 275.00

Experience with sellers - the sellers on AliExpress were prompt in their responses to my queries. They are also processed orders quickly and fast tracked the deliveries to Shanghai using over-night couriers.

Tools used - CIC tools 102 piece magnetic screw driver and bit set; graaja's Stanley 24PC 3/8 drive metric socket set, iPod repair kit (for the open pry tool). A point worth mentioning here: there is store called Goodwill Enterprises in SP Road, Bangalore that stocks all sorts of tools. Note: I am in no way associated with Goodwill Enterprises. My company gets their electrical/mechanical tools from this store on a regular basis and hence the association.

1. Cabin lamp installation

I will not go into the DIY steps since they have been detailed in the aforementioned thread. The installation took about 1 hour (the cautious me took time for all steps). I had to call graaja for some help on pulling the power cable out because it just would not budge. He suggested I apply some extra force to pull the cable out. All in all, the installation went well and I am happy with the results. The cabin lighting improved by 2x. I actually measured the lumen output and compared it with the previous lamp. I did notice that the lamp does get hot over time, but I guess that is normal. See below a picture after installation with all the three bulbs turned ON.



2. Arm rest installation

The arm rest installation started out easy but turned out to be a two hour job. I did not find the same issue as graaja and others where they had to remove the center console trims to place the metal block. I had couple of different issues. Read on.

Following the Facebook post, I was able to place the metal block support a bit easily. I did have an issue because the rug separating the OEM black carpet and the floor was a bit thick than I expected it to be. See below.



This rug did not allow me to align the metal block support quite easily. It took me a while and effort to get it aligned. My problems did not end there. I received a different type of nuts/bolts (see below).



Now it took me a while to align the bolts with the associated location on the floor panel and also to screw them tightly. In hindsight, I thought removing the center console would be easier. I also did not have the correct socket wrench to tighten the arm rest to the metal block. I requested graaja for his socket wrench set and tightened the same.

The end result was good. As fellow members pointed out on other threads, the stance inside the cabin changes just with this minor modification.



3. Android head unit Installation

I did not run into any problems installing this unit. Although after I installed it, I thought the fan was running a bit loud and I opened it to check if I blocked the vent with all those cables; only to realize that the fan is indeed loud during normal operation. :sigh

The unit came installed with Google maps and maps of India on the SD card. To remove any problems with security, I did not use my Gmail id to configure the unit. I created a new one and voila my car has an email id now!

Picture post-installation


The audio quality is good, the radio reception is okay and the video playback is awesome. The navigation works perfect as well. I also got the color on the backlight of the buttons match the color of other buttons on the dashboard.



I was not able to get the stock weather widget to work as yet but maybe I did an incorrect configuration. I am still trying to figure out solutions to few problems like unauthorized use of the head unit.

The modifications went on well and I must say definitely doing the changes ourselves is more satisfying then going to the store and getting them done. My wifey also liked the arm rest and the android head unit (esp the navigation). Although I want to take it a step further and build some things myself but that is for later. There are some more modifications/improvements in the pipeline.

Cheers,
Srinivas

[maddyguage]

How is your experience with new HU?
Is it good compared to RCD 510?
Does steering control work?
I'm considering to upgrade my HU in my 2016 Vento, but there are lots of options available so bit confused. I also heard that you can only use video playback while you're standstill.

[srinivasnvns]

Originally Posted by maddyguage

How is your experience with new HU?
Is it good compared to RCD 510?
Does steering control work?
I'm considering to upgrade my HU in my 2016 Vento, but there are lots of options available so bit confused. I also heard that you can only use video playback while you're standstill.

The Android based HU is good. It is a better than the stock system. My car did not come with the RCD 510. It had the RCD 320.

Yes, video playback is supported only on standstill. It is a safety feature I believe. There are ways to get around it using a different ROM and/or system options.

EDIT: steering controls do work.

[maddyguage]

Originally Posted by srinivasnvns

The Android based HU is good. It is a better than the stock system. My car did not come with the RCD 510. It had the RCD 320.

Yes, video playback is supported only on standstill. It is a safety feature I believe. There are ways to get around it using a different ROM and/or system options.

EDIT: steering controls do work.

Well that's great. I can switch to cynogenmod and thus tweak UI and much more. So it must support almost every apps I believe. Please provide link to your thread if you already shared your experience or else share it here.
THANKS

[srinivasnvns]

I did not write a post that describes my experience with the HU. Although, I must say, there is one that details almost everyone's experience with the HU. See the thread: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-en...lo-gt-tsi.html