Retrofits

Overview

Difficulty is as rated in the research. "Not rated" means no rating was sourced. The online column shows only what the research names as needing VW online access; "Not stated" does not prove a job is offline.

Before you start

Backups and access

• Save a full coding backup of every module before changing anything⁶³.
• On 2018-on cars, module 09 shows zero long coding, so changes there are made through adaptation channels⁶³.
• Some late cars have a diagnostic firewall and need the bonnet open before the gateway allows changes Unverified.
• Disconnect the battery for wiring work. Use a battery support unit while coding. Both are common practice, but no source page confirmed them Unverified.

What needs VW online access

These jobs are reported to need dealer, ODIS or GeKo online access. No single source page covers the whole list Unverified. Each retrofit section cites a source where one confirms it.

• Component protection removal: AID, radars, gateway and MIB head units.
• ADAS camera and radar calibration with VAS 6430.
• FEC and SWaP feature codes for the head unit.
• The flat MRR radar.
• AID mileage adaptation.
• SWaP activation for cruise control and the ACC radar functions: see Front Assist to ACC and pACC.

Tools

VCDS

PC software and cable, with the Long Coding Helper for byte and bit changes⁶³.

OBDeleven

Dongle and phone app, with one-click apps paid for in credits⁶⁴.

ODIS

VW's own diagnostic software, used for retrofit routines⁹.

Security access codes

Codes published for MQB modules. Where several are listed, the right one depends on the module and the change⁶⁵.

Active Info Display (AID)

Replaces the analogue dials with the digital cluster. The map view in the cluster needs a MOST link to a Discover Pro head unit⁶⁶.

Parts

Coding and online steps

1. Save the coding of modules 17 and 5F before removing the old cluster⁶⁶.
2. Recode module 17 on the new cluster⁶⁶.
3. Component protection removal and a dealer immobiliser adaptation are needed online, even for a brand new cluster².
4. Mileage can only be adapted if the donor cluster shows under 100 km².
5. Have every key for the car present when the cluster is coded. A key missing from the immobiliser adaptation stops working⁶⁷.

Screen damage: polishing can strip the AID anti-glare layer and no faceplate-only part is known, so the fix is a replacement cluster with CP removal and coding in ODIS. Protective films are sold for the MK7.5 AID, and no how-to for polishing the lens was found⁶⁸⁶⁹.

Navigation map in the cluster (MOST link)

The full map reaches the AID over the MOST fibre ring, from the head unit (J794, address 5F) to the cluster (J285). An MIB1 unit cannot send it³⁴. Without the link the cluster shows turn arrows only, and the head unit must be an MIB2 or MIB2.5 of the right hardware and software version⁵.

• The ring is serial: one plug carries fibre in and fibre out. With an external MOST amplifier (Dynaudio, Fender) a Y-splitter joins the cluster into the ring. Without an amplifier a straight lead runs from head unit to cluster⁴. Both harness types are sold ready-made⁵⁷⁰.
• The MOST plug on the head unit has a push tab on its side, and is only present on Fender or Dynaudio cars. Route the fibre to the cluster before refitting the display¹⁵.
• The cluster needs a 1440x540 panel. 5G1920790A is named as one³.

Fault U104900 (fibre fault) points to a broken connector: replace the lead and restart the head unit³. The trim work and fibre routing make it a Medium job. CP and immobiliser steps are as for the cluster above.

Kit price

£1,099–1,299 from RSW (retrofitsw.co.uk)¹

Difficulty

Hard

MK7.5 LED tail lights into MK7

Fits the facelift LED rear lamps to a pre-facelift car⁷¹.

Parts

Harness

An adapter harness is needed. Kits named in the research:

Coding afterwards

In module 09, change the lamp settings on these Leuchte channels⁷¹. Channel numbers vary by BCM, model year and lamp type, so check the channel names on your car first⁷².

Difficulty

Medium

MK7.5 LED headlights into MK7

What the research found so far⁹:

• Kufatec's kit 42100 is only for facelift cars and is not for RHD or US cars⁹.
• One pre-facelift Golf R owner found no LED options in module 09. The thread suggests a MK7.5 BCM may be needed Unverified⁹.
• Kufatec sells a coding dongle, 43936, that parametrises the LED headlights, covering modules D6/D7 and 29/39⁷³.
• An ODIS retrofit routine is involved⁹.
• Difficulty: Hard.

Discover Pro MIB2 navigation

Replaces the standard head unit with the 9.2 inch Discover Pro¹⁰.

The 9.2 inch glass display needs an MHI2 software train ending _VWG13. See Screen surround trims¹⁵.

Coding

To enable the USB port for CarPlay after the retrofit: module 5F, Byte 19, Bits 6–7⁷⁴.

Online steps

The 125 Coding set is sold pre-coded with component protection already removed¹⁰. A used unit from another car will carry component protection, which is removed online Unverified.

Difficulty

Hard

Discover Media MIB2 (8 inch glass) from Composition Media

Replaces a Composition Media head unit with Discover Media and the 8 inch glass screen: navigation, App-Connect, voice control and Bluetooth. One UK fitter sells it as a set of head unit, USB port, GPS aerial, surround trim and map SD card, coded to carry the car's settings across¹³.

Check which unit you have

Hold MENU and open the software versions. A software train starting MST2 or MHI2 is MIB2¹⁵.

Parts

Wiring

• Aerial leads run from the roof down the rear headliner, D-pillar, boot side trim, under the rear bench, along the wheel-arch trim and sill, then up the lower A-pillar to the glovebox¹².
• Bench-test the unit first on a Quadlock pigtail: +12 V on red, ground on brown¹².
• US 2018–19 "S" cars with the radio in the dash need a Quadlock relocation harness to the glovebox. Carry every wire except the old green block: blue (two microphone and two reversing camera wires), grey (two CAN wires), brown (speakers), and power and ground. Splice after the factory plug. The aerial leads are RG174, with a right-angle Fakra C for GPS at the fin⁷⁵.
• Fender cars: going from MIB1 to MIB2 may need amplifier 5Q0035456 or A (under the driver's seat on LHD, the passenger seat on RHD), with CP removed if it is used. The same guide suggests the 8 inch Discover Media keeps the existing amplifier¹⁵.

Coding

Online steps

A unit from another car logs component protection in 5F and 19 until it is registered online. CP mutes radio and media and shows a banner on the screen¹².

Screen surround trims (8 inch and 9.2 inch)

• MIB1 screens start 5G0 and 8 inch glass MIB2 screens start 5G6. This comes from a search snippet only Unverified⁷⁶.
• An 8 inch non-glass display with buttons, 5G0919606, fits a 6.5 inch MIB2 car (3G0919605D) plug and play with no coding. A tab on one display connector must be trimmed¹⁴.
• Trim with vents for that swap, for example 5G2819728AH DA (carbon, GTI/GTD). The poster asks readers to check the number Unverified¹⁴.
• Glass display: if the port colour differs (blue cable into a black port), shave the LVDS guide pin. The display is held by 4 clips. Reconnect the hazard switch before powering up, or the cluster logs a fault¹⁵.
• 9.2 inch display: 5G6919606, A or D. The trim part varies by car. It needs an MHI2 software train ending _VWG13; G11 does not support the 9.2 inch screen¹⁵.
• No VW number was found for the piano-black 8 inch glass trim. It is sold without one and fits only the 8 inch glass Discover Media screen⁷⁷.

Difficulty

Medium to Hard (trim, aerial, glovebox and CP)

App-Connect and CarPlay activation (FEC)

MIB2 features are switched on with feature enable codes (FEC). Codes for MHI2 and MHI2Q units⁷⁸:

FEC and SWaP codes are reported to be an online dealer job Unverified. RSW sells CarPlay activation for £299, for Discover Pro units built after 25.05.2015¹⁶.

MIB2 USB port

Cars with no factory USB, or the wrong one, need an MIB2-type port and its wiring before CarPlay or Android Auto can work after a head unit upgrade. MIB1 units are not covered¹⁸.

• Wiring: the green plug goes into the Quadlock harness and the yellow HSD lead into the head unit. The 2018 US factory port is not CarPlay-capable with MIB2, so its harness is left in place⁷⁵⁷⁹.
• Coding in 5F: "Smartphone interface for RHMI" on, "Interface for external media: Connection 1" on, Connection 2 off with a single port, and Byte 19 set for USB and iPhone. The outcome was not confirmed Unverified⁷⁹.
• Cars without factory hands-free: a Seat OEM Quadlock adapter set (USB, AUX, microphone) needs an MQB/MIB-capable gateway and programming with VAS⁸⁰.
• Difficulty: Easy to Medium.

Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

MIB2 has no native wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, on either the MIB2 Standard (Delphi MST2) or the Harman MHI2 unit. It is a hardware limit, not a SWaP or firmware one. Wired CarPlay (00060800) and Android Auto (00060900) must be activated first²². The route is an aftermarket adapter in the USB port, paired by Bluetooth, with no coding for the adapter itself²³¹⁷.

• Adapters owners report using: Carlinkit 3.0, AAWireless, Autokit U2W Plus and CPlay2Air⁸¹.
• They drain the phone battery hard (Bluetooth and WiFi together), and a phone on a charging pad overheated while streaming⁸¹.
• No App-Connect menu on the head unit means a hardware change comes first⁸¹.

Microphone for MIB2

Adds the hands-free and voice control microphone when an MIB2 unit goes into a car without one. The MIB2 microphone wiring differs from the older RNS315 type²¹.

Microphone

VW roof microphone 3B0035711B, in the headliner console, which prises out¹⁹⁸²

Wiring

• Shielded single core to the J794 Quadlock block "L": pin 1 signal, pin 7 shield²⁰.
• On MIB2 the microphone uses 2 pins on the blue 12-pin Quadlock block. A ready-made block with microphone is sold⁸³.
• Older looms differ: pre-MIB cars route the microphone through an external Bluetooth module under the seat, and North American cars through the Car-Net box behind the cluster. To take that module out of the path, bridge the 2 pins in that connector and untick 75 (telematics) in the gateway installation list in 19⁸³²⁰.

Coding

5F has switches for up to 4 microphones²⁰.

Difficulty

Easy

Reverse camera

Fits the camera behind the rear VW emblem²⁴.

Parts

One UK fitter says its Highline camera kit does not work with Composition Media units 5G0035820, 5G0035819 or 5G0035812 (all revisions). Hold MENU and open the software version to read the unit number⁸⁵.

The VW kit costs about £273 and takes about 2.5 hours²⁴. A Kufatec kit, 39634, at €600 is also named in the research, but no source page for it was captured Unverified.

Wiring and coding

There are two versions⁸⁶:

Difficulty

Medium

Park Assist and 8-sensor parking

Kufatec kit 43485 adds Park Assist and lists PR codes 9S4, 9S5, 9S6 and 9S8. Kit 39633 adds front and rear sensors²⁵. Coding details were not in the research.

Difficulty

Hard

Cruise control (GRA) retrofit

Adds standard cruise control to a car built without it, worked by a column stalk or by multifunction wheel buttons²⁶. PR code 8T6 is the stalk version with speed limiter²⁸.

Requirements

• A multifunction steering wheel, otherwise a new steering wheel controller. Stated by one fitter for the Audi A3 8V, which shares the MQB platform⁸⁸.
• Online activation against the VIN, so the PR codes held by VW are updated⁸⁸.

Parts

Wiring

One new wire runs from pin 5 of the steering column module (J527) to the engine control unit. The engine-side pin depends on the engine: pin 56 of the 94-pin plug on the cars discussed, where a blanking plug sat in place⁸⁷²⁷. VW routes it through coupling point TIUL at the left A-pillar²⁸.

Coding

Online steps

SWaP and FEC codes are bound to the VIN and the VCRN. An official kit comes with an activation document whose code is entered online once, through ODIS, GeKo or FAZIT. Dealers in some countries, Romania and the US named, cannot use these documents²⁸. In ODIS: Special functions, then FEC, then enter the code from the kit paperwork. ODIS writes the FEC, then codes 19, 16 and 01 in that order⁸⁹.

Difficulty

Medium hardware, needs online activation

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) and Front Assist

Adds the front radar for adaptive cruise and Front Assist²⁹.

Parts

Wiring

A Gateway High is needed. Radar power comes to pin 8 from the cabin fuse box²⁹.

Coding and online steps

Coding changes in modules 01, 03, 19, 17, 5F, A5 and 13. Component protection must be removed online²⁹.

RSW offers a dome to flat radar upgrade for £650³⁰. See Dome to flat ACC radar.

Front Assist to ACC (radar already fitted)

For a Golf MK7 or other MQB car that left the factory with the Front Assist radar but no ACC. Compatibility is checked per car first³³.

• The same radar is not enough on its own. One owner of a 2017 Wolfsburg with radar 5Q0907572H recoded 01 for ACC with Front Assist, changed 19 MuFu from GRA-High to ACC-High and swapped wheel buttons 5G0959442P for K. The result was "no communication with distance sensor" and "implausible message": ACC needs a different FEC/SWaP on the radar Unverified³¹.
• The dome radar 5Q0907541G is the only ACC radar without FEC/SWaP, so on flat radars the conversion is a SWaP job⁹⁰³⁷.
• Wheel buttons: 5G0959442K standard, 5G0959442N GTI, GTD and R Unverified⁹⁰. N was used in a working ACC retrofit⁹¹.

A radar holds at most 4 FEC³².

Difficulty: Easy hardware (buttons), Hard online access (SWaP).

Difficulty

Hard

ACC to predictive ACC (pACC)

Predictive ACC slows for junctions, roundabouts and bends using navigation data and the camera, and sets speed from road signs³⁶. It uses a recognised sign first and navigation data otherwise, and works without a route but with fewer events³⁴.

Requirements

• One UK fitter offers it for 2017-on MQB cars including the Golf MK7.5 with ACC, the windscreen Lane Assist camera and navigation. Older MQB cars need a radar replacement³⁶.
• Flat radar 3QF (H10 or H11), a new 3Q0 camera and a suitable MIB navigation unit. Camera and radar must talk to each other³⁷.
• Radars 5Q0907561G or H and 3QF907561 are said to support pACC, traffic jam assist, curve assist and sign-based limits through SWaP Unverified⁹⁰.
• Check the ABS version too; 5Q0614517CF is given as an example³⁵. On the A3 8V the AID firmware must support it³⁴.

Radar firmware

Flashing needs ODIS Engineering 12 or later, with component protection cleared³².

FEC

Coding

Audi A3 8V example (MQB sibling)

• Radar 5Q0907572G on firmware 5Q0907572R 0771 with the pACC parameter set³⁴.
• 13: InnoDrive / PSD installed, CarMenu items, allowed deviation, predictive sailing³⁴.
• A5: PSD_Version PSD_15, sign recognition (VZE) coded, road-sign fusion adaptations³⁴.
• 5F: byte_24_psd active, plus the Curve Assist menu adaptations³⁴.

Golf 7.5 case

One owner with a 3QF radar and camera 3Q0980654L needed extra CAN wiring between the camera (A5) and radar (13), which the guides did not mention. A5 Byte 14, 81 to 89, made the car remember Lane Assist on or off. Fault C1155 31 stayed in 19 Unverified⁹².

Online steps

VCDS cannot do pACC. The radar is reconfigured with VW online access³⁵.

Difficulty

Hard (firmware flash, parameter set, SWaP and camera link)

Dome to flat ACC radar

Replaces the early dome-shaped ACC radar on Golfs from 2013 with a later flat radar. The fitter offering it says the dome units develop internal faults with age and are often stolen. Its job covers the holder, radar, CP removal, coding and ADAS calibration with printed results³⁸.

Requirements

A VIN check; the car empty with fuel over 3/4; correct wheel alignment if lowered or crash-repaired; at least 2 cm between arch and tyre for the wheel clamps³⁸.

Parts

Fitting

• The dome sits on three legs in ball sockets. Pull it off, then unplug it⁴⁰.
• A flat radar will not talk to the older lane camera³⁷.
• Flat radars are not plug and play: CP removal and online activation (FAZIT/GeKo), then calibration Unverified⁹⁰.
• Component protection: one poster says both types carry CP, and a donor dome did throw a CP fault. Another says the 2013 CP set-up (SSP 517, p43) does not include J428. Treat both as carrying CP Sources differ³⁷.

Radar bracket repair

• Genuine front radar mounting repair kit 5G0998561, listed for Golf 7 (2013–17), Golf SV, Polo, T6, A3, Octavia, Fabia and Leon. It does not suit every sensor. Recalibrate afterwards³⁹.
• Replacement clips are also sold as a set of three; check the type for the car⁴¹.
• Early dome cars: repair set 4H0998561. Replace the hanger 5Q0907461 only if it is bent⁴⁰.

Difficulty

Medium hardware, Hard online (CP, SWaP and calibration)

Front radar calibration

A workshop job with VW tools. It is needed after the radar is replaced or removed, a front-end crash, bumper or grille removal, suspension changes or lowering, alignment work, calibration faults, an ACC retrofit or a bracket change⁴³.

Preparation

Car empty, tyres at pressure, correct wheel and tyre sizes, sound suspension and steering, alignment done first after lowering or crash damage, and about 20 mm of arch clearance for the clamps. A replacement radar may need coding, parameterisation or CP removal before calibration⁴³.

Faults and tools

• After a bumper replacement one car logged "sensor incorrectly positioned" and vertical misalignment faults (MRR14evo radar behind the badge)⁹⁴.
• VAS 6430 aligns to the car's thrust axis with a reflective target. The final calibration is done in ODIS. VCDS on 13 shows only the mirror deviation, misalignment and offset values⁴².
• A dealer uses a laser alignment jig linked to VAS, with the distance set by tape measure⁹⁵.
• The radar has two adjuster screws, upper left for horizontal and lower right for vertical, turned with a 3.5 mm driver. Live data targets in 13: horizontal misalignment and offset −1 to +1, vertical deadjustment and offset 0 to 4 Unverified⁹⁶.
• One DIY method sets the car square to a wall at 120 cm, then runs the 13 basic setting "calibrate radar". The VCDS label for 5Q0-907-572-V2 carried the wrong security code (14117) until a later VCDS release Unverified⁹⁴.

Lane, Sign and Light Assist camera

Adds the windscreen camera used by Lane Assist, and optionally Light Assist and sign recognition⁴⁴.

Parts

Wiring

The camera joins the extended CAN at J533, pins T20/17 and T20/7, and is fused at SC32, 7.5 A⁴⁵.

Coding and calibration

• Coding changes in modules A5, 5F, 17, 44 and 10⁴⁴.
• The camera is calibrated with VAS 6430⁴⁵.
• Light Assist: 09 Byte 2 = 03 and A5 Byte 2 = 01⁹⁷.
• Kufatec dongle 40610 for sign recognition is named in the research, but no source page for it was captured Unverified.

Difficulty

Hard

Blind spot and Rear Traffic Alert

Requirements and kit

Kufatec kit 41035 costs €750. It needs a Gateway High, a 3Q0 or 5Q0 ABS unit from 2016 on, and PR code 9S5, 9S6 or 9S8⁴⁶.

MK7.5 parts and wiring

• Radar units 2Q0907685B and 2Q0907686B⁹⁸.
• J1086 joins the extended CAN at pin 17⁹⁸.
• The units sit on 6–7 degree wedges⁹⁸.

Side Assist calibration

Needed after a radar is replaced, crash damage, lowering or a system fault, and the setting can drift over time. Preparation is as for front radar calibration⁴⁹.

• Two stages: static with VAS 6350, then dynamic while driving. The manual allows ±4.99 degrees; experienced users aim for under 1 degree⁴⁷.
• Fault 3C 729351 "automatic calibration not possible", with a large gap between the 3C and CF dynamic angles, points to a mounting fault such as brackets or missing bumper foam pads⁴⁷.
• Later units use 4N0907566F on both sides. Master (passenger, 3C) and slave (driver, CF) are set by coding⁴⁷.
• VAS 6350 set-up, shown on an Audi Q5 with the same tool: VAS 6350/3 centre-line laser, magnetic adapters on the rear wheel studs, targets 1700 mm from the rear wheels. Code first, then calibrate left, then right⁹⁹.
• On a Golf retrofit the board needs the VAS 6350-4 radar device. The radars calibrate themselves while driving once the correct parameter set is loaded. A mid gateway without the extended CAN will not work⁴⁸.
• One fitter flashed the master (3C) to version C, parameterised it in ODIS Engineering and needed no board Unverified⁴⁸.

Difficulty

Hard

Power-folding mirrors

Kufatec kit 40810 costs €850 and is for LHD cars only. The door control units must be Highline, shown by a 5 as the 7th digit of the part number⁵⁰.

Coding afterwards

To fold the mirrors on locking: 42 and 52 Byte 4 Bit 6, then in 09 set "Funk Spiegelanklappen", the menu entry, and the mode via the remote¹⁰⁰.

Difficulty

Medium

Kessy rear door handles

Kufatec kit 44950 extends keyless entry to the rear doors. It is for MY2019 cars that already have Kessy⁵¹.

Heated steering wheel

Kufatec cable set 43696 suits cars built up to 29.07.2018 with module 16. Kufatec dongle 44382 does the coding⁵².

DSG paddle steering wheel

Paddle wheels: 5G0 419 091 DK, DL, DM, DN, GC, GD, GE or GF. The car must have DSG, PR code 2ZH⁵³. Coding details were not in the research.

Towbar

Kufatec kit 50388 with towbar 5G0092150D, PR code 1M5. Not for Variant or US cars⁵⁴.

Coding afterwards

Add module 69 to the gateway (19) installation list, then code 01, 09, 03, 10, 13, 3C, 6C, A5 and 69⁵⁴.

Heated windscreen

The coding was not confirmed Unverified⁵⁵. A Kufatec kit, 46804, is named in the research without a source page Unverified.

Touch Climatronic panel

Panel 3G8907044 or 5NA907044AJ. It only replaces a 2-zone Climatronic panel¹⁰¹.

1. Copy the coding from the old panel to the new one¹⁰¹.
2. If the MENU button does nothing, set the 5F adaptation "climatic_master_0x01"¹⁰¹.
3. Run basic settings¹⁰¹.

RSW sells the panel for £299 and says it is not plug and play⁵⁶.

Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC)

Kufatec cable set 44250, PR code 2H5. The control unit, dampers and sensors are needed as well⁵⁷.

Difficulty

Very hard

Exhaust valve app control (Golf R)

Kufatec module 44383 controls the exhaust valves on a Golf 7 R from a phone app. Kufatec sells it for racing use only⁵⁸.

Door puddle lights

The lamps connect at pins 5 and 16 of the door plug. Coding: 42 and 52 Byte 1 Bit 2⁵⁹.

Brembo 4-pot front brake upgrade

Data from the MQB Track Cars owners' club, credited and linked. The club lists Leon Cupra 4-piston calipers 5F0615106 (driver's side on a right-hand-drive car) and 5F0615105 (passenger side). The newest version is from the Cupra Formentor: 5FA615124D (driver) and 5FA615123D (passenger). Leon 3 or Renault Megane calipers also fit. The disc is 330 or 370 mm depending on the carrier used.⁶⁰ Unverified

Parts and torques for the 370 mm setup

Brake adaptations in address 03 that suit stronger brakes are on the Coding page.

DQ381 gearbox in place of DQ250

Reports differ. One VWROC member calls the swap almost plug and play. Others report the engine and gearbox control units do not work together, with rpm flare, and some have used an "immo off" software route Sources differ⁶¹.

• There is no off-the-shelf kit⁶¹.
• Whether the bevel box, prop shaft or mounts must change is not confirmed Unverified⁶¹.

Full guide: DQ381 swap on a MK7 Golf R, with the parts owners report needing, the gearbox plug pinout and the subframe.

RS3 engine and running-gear swap

One owner fitted the 2.5 TFSI engine, gearbox, rear differential, fuel system and seats from a 2018 Audi RS3 to a 2019 US Golf R, repinning the engine control unit's body-side connector and adapting the Golf's fuse panel¹⁰³. It is a one-car, owner-level build with some wiring marked as a guess, not a documented conversion¹⁰³.

Full guide: RS3 engine and running-gear swap, with the T91 pin map and the RS3 seat wiring.

Not yet verified

No source was fetched for these, so no instructions are given:

• Golf R steering wheel into a non-R
• Golf R seats
• Dynaudio hardware
• Ambient lighting hardware
• Rear side airbags
• Auto Hold
• Dynamic Light Assist
• Facelift bumper and grille
• Golf R quad exhaust into GTI
• Alarm
• Performance Pack brakes
• Wireless charging
• Car-Net

Panoramic roof: not practical, because the roof is structural. This is a judgement, not a sourced fact.