Ok, now sporting a VW RCD310 DAB (need to get the aerial and fascia now)

So, bad into single slot-load in the dash - not a problem.

I can see the display in the day. (not worried about the red glow on the buttons at night)

I have DAB (yippee that was a main reason for getting the unit)

Have lost the changer in the boot :( Is this a coding issue?

However, am thinking of MDI now......

From what I can see MDI consists of:

A quadlock cable that connects the HU to.....

(Possible a long cable to......)

A holder thingy (Golf gets it in the armrest, Octy in the boot?)

A cable to connect the holder to the device (USB / Appfail)

Is that right?

Do I need anything coded to run MDI?

Can I mount the holder in the boot where the Changer is? (not really planning on removing the changer unless I *have* to) Or would it be easier in the glove box? Do I *have* to have the holder?

The plan is to put a USB HDD somewhere and essentially consign CDs to the house (they don't get so scratched in there)

Anything I've missed?

Cheers

MDI Purchased:

http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1439.l2649

£29.50 inc delivery

http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1439.l2649

£49.95 inc delivery

http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1439.l2649

£5.99 inc delivery (got the last one)

Total £85.44 for MDI Kit (in pieces)

-or-

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item416b4d7be4

£129.98 inc delivery

(There is a kit cheaper by a couple of quid, but that's not got the USB lead.)

Saving: £44.54 (enough to get a 1/2 decent DAB aerial!)

There is a kit from Poland:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item416b4d7be4

£119 inc delivery, does seem to include some sort of mounting for the USB/iPod cable. (Does anyone know if this is available separately?) Seller does the iPod kit at the same price.

Extension cable for MDI interface 000 051 447 (000051447) Extends the exit port for mounting in-dash/glovebox (?)

The MDI unit itself is quite small and you can probably stash it somewhere behind the dash or centre console -the current VW Passat is like this with a socket for the various adapter leads (USB, iPod etc) in the side wall of the glovebox. I should think the the main limiting factor will be how long the cabling is. I've never seen one in the boot of a car -they're usually in the armrest or glovebox or under the glovebox like on a Fabia or under a front seat.

Some of the MDI units have a Facia built on to the front of them which has a cubby for a small hard drive/MP3 player etc. I do not know for certain but I presume that this is detatchable from the unit itself.

I doubt that you will need any coding to connect the MDI to the stereo. I couldn't tell you if you'd need coding to get information to display on the Maxidot.

As to eBay sellers - you'll just have to take your chances like the rest of us I'm afraid. I probably wouldn't buy from abroad unless you knew it was kosha. just check for feedback and see what else they're selling or have have sold in the past.

I believe there is a coding to say that a CD changer is present, however it maybe a simple wiring issue. Compare the connection diagram of your previous headunit against the RCD310 and make sure the CD changer wires are in the same place.

I believe there is a coding to say that a CD changer is present, however it maybe a simple wiring issue. Compare the connection diagram of your previous headunit against the RCD310 and make sure the CD changer wires are in the same place.

According to the sticker on the RCD310 virtually nothing is connected. (Other than Aux and Phone, all the pins are marked "NC") However, the changer has power and switches on and off in synch with the RCD. The pins that are present on both are in identical places. :S

Am compiling a short list of coding for when I see my local friendly VCDS owner

The MDI unit itself is quite small and you can probably stash it somewhere behind the dash or centre console -the current VW Passat is like this with a socket for the various adapter leads (USB, iPod etc) in the side wall of the glovebox. I should think the the main limiting factor will be how long the cabling is. I've never seen one in the boot of a car -they're usually in the armrest or glovebox or under the glovebox like on a Fabia or under a front seat.

Some of the MDI units have a Facia built on to the front of them which has a cubby for a small hard drive/MP3 player etc. I do not know for certain but I presume that this is detatchable from the unit itself.

I doubt that you will need any coding to connect the MDI to the stereo. I couldn't tell you if you'd need coding to get information to display on the Maxidot.

As to eBay sellers - you'll just have to take your chances like the rest of us I'm afraid. I probably wouldn't buy from abroad unless you knew it was kosha. just check for feedback and see what else they're selling or have have sold in the past.

I got the unit with the armrest holder. Plan to remove the holder and just have the adaptor. Have also found the extension and face-plate to install into the glove box. However, I already have a USB running from the glovebox to the top touch-box, so I might just re-route that. Although under the front seat sounds interesting too. (Hadn't thought of that one - thanks )

No Maxidot - no coding needed there. Not a fan of the idea of having the track info on there if I had it......I kinda know the music I've got Plus the RCD310 display is very long

Ok, now sporting a VW RCD310 DAB (need to get the aerial and fascia now)

Where did you get the VW RCD310 DAB from ?

Where did you get the VW RCD310 DAB from ?

eBay.

MDI installed, no problems, no coding needed. It over-rides the AUX port when there's a USB device on the end.

Have decided to get the extension cable and faceplate and see if I can mount the control unit in the centre console, the the faceplate inside the jumbo box. (Sort of OEM look.)

:)