Hi! I am looking at replacing the Columbus car radio in my Skoda Superb 2011.

 

Found the RCD330 Plus on AliExpress and think it could be a good candidate. Anyone have experience with it?

 

Also, my car has the “Skoda Sound System” and I have heard it may not be compatible with many third party radios. Anyone have any experience with that?
 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIBUOcx

Looking at one for my VW CC.  It's a good option if you want Carplay or Android Auto at a decent price and they are OEM.I believe they are geniune VW units that were used in Asia and South America. 

 

However, there are a lot of copies around.  If you see something for way under $300 then it's likely a cheap copy.  From what I've read, Lemon Shark on Aliexpress are a good source.  So is www.rcd330.com.  There are two versions - Desay and Noname.  Noname is considered to be the better as the firmware is upgradable.  They are also available with green backlighting for Skoda.

 

From my perspective, the advantages and disadvantages are:

 

Advantages:

- pretty much plug and play - may need a CAN adapter for pre 2009 cars to support steering controls and prevent battery drain

- Works with your existing steering wheel controls

- Shows parking sensor details (if you have them)

- Think it shows HVAC details - not sure about this, but not a big deal

 

Disadvantages

- Built in microphone on front of unit - doesn't use an external mic - many say this works well so maybe not a disadvantage

- No RDS - not sure if you can type in names of stations when saving

- No built in satnav - have to use Carplay/Andriod Auto - not a biggie for me as I like to use Google maps.

- No DAB

- Wired carplay/Andriod Auto only - can be wireless if you use an adapter, but not sure how reliable these are

- Front USB only - although www.rcd330.com offer a version with a rear USB

Thanks for the response! I would say the advantages are really big compared to the disadvantages. The only thing stopping me from ordering right now is the question about compatibility with the Skoda Sound system. Any thoughts on that?

That I'm not sure about that.  I have read that there are no issues with VW sound systems.  Is the Skoda system different to VW or just rebadged?

I don’t know unfortunately. I recently checked the label of my Columbus though. It says 3T0 035 680 C. My local repair workshop said I should replace it with a “B” unit according to my car registration. Not sure why. Can that be connected to the sound system maybe?

There are contact details on RCD330.com.  I believe the guy knows everything there is to know about the RCD330.  https://www.rcd330.com/dwqa-ask-question/

15 minutes ago, Tropheus said:

There are contact details on RCD330.com.  I believe the guy knows everything there is to know about the RCD330.  https://www.rcd330.com/dwqa-ask-question/

I just got in contact with him actually. Let’s see where it leads then I’ll follow up here 😊

How did it go? Does it work with skoda sound system?

They did not reply. But I found another third party stereo that worked fantastically! Check out Eonon VWA12S-6g. I bought it directly from Eonon and it works with Skoda Sound System, has wireless CarPlay and their support on installation was great. Can’t recommend it enough!

On 03/02/2025 at 21:04, Bmsone said:

How did it go? Does it work with skoda sound system?

Skoda sound System should work with RCD330.  You use the same setting when connecting aftermarket Amp.  You may need to confirm setting in VCDS that skoda sound system is selected and then once applied, disconnect battery for a couple of hours, then reconnect or you may get no sound.  All the skoda sound system setting in VCDS does is drop the line out form the head unit to low level as it is expecting the amp to control the output level.  I tried skoda sound system setting for my below but reverted as I didnt need the setting after all.

 

My Adventure:

Jan 2013 build Mk2 Octavia RS.  With RNS510 columbus.

I swapped to a RCD330 with rear USB option.  It is actually a USB wired to the USB +/- pins in the back of the unit.

I had a USB wireless android/carplay dongle and plugged that in. 

Easy swap in/out of RNS510.  I located the wireless dongle under the glove box sitting on top of the foam liner that surround the heater outlet.  This gives me easy access to the dongle if I need to.

 

I then went back and got the fakra FM double adapter

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C3GD7N56?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

It really does improve FM radio.

 

Now the general sound quality is nothing like the RNS510.  Lets be honest.

 

So I grabbed a https://www.pioneer.com.au/shop/car/amplifiers/gm-d-amplifiers/gm-d1004/

for AUD150.  Look around and there are a few places to get one.  This amp is able to handle the line out voltage range of the RCD330 (see start of post).  You dont need to run through a low level converter or set skoda sound system setting in VCDS.  You can, but you dont need to.

The Pioneer comes with ISO connector cables ready to go for power and speakers. It is also low power draw and low enough to run from the head unit power rather than a dedicated power from the battery.

(Before everyone freaks out, this is only 4 x 45W RMS so the max current is low enough.  I did get some thicker gauge wire to support 15A power and ground for the below connectors as they only seemed to be 8-10A) 

If you want to go all out with a massive AMP and sub etc, then dont get a RCD330.

 

My next purchase was for

 

Car ISO Stereo Radio Wiring Harness Adapter for Golf ISO Cable Connector Plug

 

and

 

Adapter Quadlock Cable Iso for BMW VW Mercedes Audi Vauxhall Ford Radio Navi Au

 

This allows plugging it all together.

 

The quadlock to ISO adapters allow plug and play of everything to the factory harness to the RCD330 and tot eh AMP.  The back of the head unit is like an inverted L when looking from the side, so there is a nice big gap behind the RCD330 head unit which.....is perfect to fit the amp.

I did not remove the glovebox for any of this.

 

Connect it all up, push the whole lot back in the dash.  I then turned off treble monitoring in VCDS.

 

This setup sounds really good.  Not original, but better in some ways.  I didnt have to route to the battery through the firewall, I didnt have to splice or cut wires, I didnt have to remove the glovebox, I now have a headunit that is similar to the RNS510, but has wireless android auto and carplay. 

 

The downside: I dont have aircon control on the head unit display, the aftrmarket RVC wont display camera and parking sensor at the same time.

Oh and I needed to disconnect/remove the factory bluetooth unit from under the drivers seat.

 

Just to throw in an option, I got a Pioneer SPH DA250DAB https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-SPH-DA250DAB-Mechless-Double-Android/dp/B085HLJJ4W?th=1

Works great, I decided I didn't want an android unit. Only problem with this is that it's wired android auto. After a couple of months I got a wireless adapter and it now has google maps and spotify on the stereo screen within about 10 seconds of starting the car with my phone in my pocket. Really happy with it