Retrofitted parking sensors?

[slicedbread]

Hi everyone.
Just put a deposit down on a Scirocco GT that was already in the country (it's at the port now?) because I didn't want to wait 16 weeks for a custom order. It has everything I want except parking sensors, however the dealership said they could retro-fit a set for me for £350.

1) I believe dealer-fit ones only have an audible beep and aren't connected to the RDS-510 display. Is this worth worrying over?
2) I'm under the impression that these dealer fit sensors dont sit flush with the bumper, whereas the factory-fit ones do?
3) They said they could somehow get the sensors connected to the display but that would cost £590. Do you think its worth it?
4) How can I tell if the car is the new MY2010 version of the Scirocco with the updated (gti-style) MFSW and dash?

thanks!

[trix]

Hi everyone.
Just put a deposit down on a Scirocco GT that was already in the country (it's at the port now?) because I didn't want to wait 16 weeks for a custom order. It has everything I want except parking sensors, however the dealership said they could retro-fit a set for me for £350.

1) I believe dealer-fit ones only have an audible beep and aren't connected to the RDS-510 display. Is this worth worrying over?
2) I'm under the impression that these dealer fit sensors dont sit flush with the bumper, whereas the factory-fit ones do?
3) They said they could somehow get the sensors connected to the display but that would cost £590. Do you think its worth it?
4) How can I tell if the car is the new MY2010 version of the Scirocco with the updated (gti-style) MFSW and dash?

thanks!

Hi Sliced Bread

First & foremost imho i think they are trying to rip you off, there are some handy threads about retrofitting parking sensors http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... f=2&t=1866 & http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... f=2&t=1975 & the figures are not in the region you have mentioned.

personally i think the visual display could be handy hence i have added it to my order (factory). not sure if anyone else can shed some light on whether they can be retrofitted into the visual display, I didn't think they could....

S

[rocco61]

The dealer wants to charge you an outrageously high price for fitting the parking sensors because he doesnt want to do it. He just wants you to accept the car specced as it is so he can collect his money and not have to further bother himself. However if you are going to insist on sensors he's gonna make very sure its well worth his wile.
Get another quote from elsewhere for the sensor fitting and then decide.
All the aftermarket fittings I 've heard of are audible only - but maybe someone else has heard otherwise.
Good luck - you will enjoy the scirocco with or without sensors!

[slicedbread]

Sounds like I should shop around for the sensors to be retro-fitted. I sorta knew the price £350 for the dealer fit ones was a bit high but I did like the convenience of having everything done at one place.

Anyone else heard of the full radio-screen enabled sensors being retrofitted by a dealer?

[maisbitt]

Factory fit (or something that will tie-in to the RCD display)is the best option, the visual display is great, as you can see which sensor is going mad (like going very close to the side of a car next to you while reversing, you'll see one of the outer-most sensors doing it's stuff), whereas with the audio only, you know you're close to something, but you lose the directionality indications.

Retro-fit audio only should be in the region of £150-£200, the unit itself is probably only worth £70. My local VW dealership is doing retro-fits for £169 fully fitted, and that includes painting the sensor nipples.

Be careful with retrofits though, there was someone on here that got their sensors put in the worng place and ended up with a blind-spot.

£350 is definitely a rip off for non-visual retro-fit - the factory fitted system is a £330 option.

Unless VW put a different audio wiring loom into the non-parking sensored Sciroccos, I can't see why they couldn't order in the genuine parts and fit them (although it may be too inconvenient, stripping trim etc). Seems do-able, as the dealer has quoted you a hefty £590 for visual connection.

As you're going retrofit, phone around a few dealerships - you might be surprised at the variance. I buy my car at one dealership as they're open to haggling, get my services done elsewhere as they're 30% cheaper than the place I buy my car, and get my tyres from yet another dealer as they'll undercut Kwikfit, Costco etc. You don't have to get the sensors done at the dealership you bought your car from.

If your car has only just been shipped here, it should be MY2010 - there are some people that have had their 2010 Sciroccos for almost a month now.

[bianco]

It is actually easier to retrofit the factory kit than to an unoriginal.
It plugs into the canbus and sends the signal to the headunit RCD 510 or RNS 510.

It is important to see the visual representation of which sensor is beeping. Without it is not possible to see if it beeps because of the pole that You can see in the side mirror that You dont hit, or if its the car behind You that You are about to hit

[slicedbread]

Thanks I'll shop around for other dealers.

[maisbitt]

Try carmedia UK for the retrofit kit. They seem to have a few solutions for Tiguan and Passat parking sensors to go visual through the RCD510. They should know if either kit is suitable for a Scirocco, or when they're likely to get a suitable unit in.

If it's not silly money then you will definitely want the visual system to get the directionality of the detected obstructions.

[slicedbread]

Seems almost all the dealers around me are charging £218 for the sensor parts themselves, and around £120-150 for labour. These are all the main VW dealers in my area (SW london),and it's the same for the large online retrofit VAG companies (like carmedia or vwcruise).

Maybe my dealer isn't ripping me off that much? Or are they all in it together...?!

[jc74]

Actually, the local dealer told me that their retro fitted sensors were actually more expensive than the factory fitted. And judging by your quotes, I think it's probably the case in many places. It's that huge profit margin on the sensors and labour cost!
I'd knock them down on the price and try to get them to at most charge the same as factory fitted.

1) Visual display is nice, having had it (front and rear) with previous cars, but I wouldn't say I miss not having them.
2) Not seen the factory fitted sensors in the flesh, but I don't find the retrofitted sensors a big eyesore. You can definitely tell either way straight away that the car has sensors fitted. You'll have to look at the pics and decide.
3) Definitely not worth the extra money in my eyes...
4) Find out what week it was built, I think 22 onwards is the new one. Or if you can see it, see if the MFD between the two dials is white rather than red.

[slicedbread]

Actually, the local dealer told me that their retro fitted sensors were actually more expensive than the factory fitted. And judging by your quotes, I think it's probably the case in many places. It's that huge profit margin on the sensors and labour cost!
I'd knock them down on the price and try to get them to at most charge the same as factory fitted.

1) Visual display is nice, having had it (front and rear) with previous cars, but I wouldn't say I miss not having them.
2) Not seen the factory fitted sensors in the flesh, but I don't find the retrofitted sensors a big eyesore. You can definitely tell either way straight away that the car has sensors fitted. You'll have to look at the pics and decide.
3) Definitely not worth the extra money in my eyes...
4) Find out what week it was built, I think 22 onwards is the new one. Or if you can see it, see if the MFD between the two dials is white rather than red.

thanks for the input. I guess I'll stick with the dealer fit ones only then, and not worry too much about the sensor display. Will try and haggle them down a bit on price.

[x5pea]

al sell u the factory sensors for £50 if you fancy them

or a DIY kit dealer fit DIY kit for £120, really east to fit, cone with the correct drill bit and its all plug and play

[jc74]

al sell u the factory sensors for £50 if you fancy them

or a DIY kit dealer fit DIY kit for £120, really east to fit, cone with the correct drill bit and its all plug and play

My sensors actually developed a fault, which the dealer replaced under warranty. I can imagine a lot of buck passing if you supplied them with the sensors...
Something to be aware of...

[PAJ]

Slicedbread,
I was in the same position as you - I bought a car from stock that had all my required spec. and more (pano and cruise that I did not particularly want) but did not have the parking sensors I required. However after taking the test drive there was no way I was going to wait 12 weeks for a factory order!

My dealer charged me £250 for a dealer fit and although I was initially disappointed they don’t have the visual display they are definitely still worth having. I did consider getting them done at various local garages for less money or even doing them myself although the thought of drilling holes in a 25K car put me off! In the end I went with the dealer as it seemed a small amount compared to what I was paying for the car and that way it was all complete when I picked the car up.

I did a bit of hunting around the web for retrofit details but so far have not taken it any further although I would still like to upgrade. If anyone has done the upgrade I would be interested in whats involved. These links may be of some use to you.

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info ... olf-5.html
http://www.my-gti.com/739/upgrading-of- ... system-ops

If you like your music loud then you may also be disappointed because I believe the factory fit also mutes the sound system when reverse is engaged.

[maisbitt]

Factory fit system does indeed mute the music when reverse is engaged and the visual display is on.

[slicedbread]

Slicedbread,
I was in the same position as you - I bought a car from stock that had all my required spec. and more (pano and cruise that I did not particularly want) but did not have the parking sensors I required. However after taking the test drive there was no way I was going to wait 12 weeks for a factory order!

My dealer charged me £250 for a dealer fit and although I was initially disappointed they don’t have the visual display they are definitely still worth having. I did consider getting them done at various local garages for less money or even doing them myself although the thought of drilling holes in a 25K car put me off! In the end I went with the dealer as it seemed a small amount compared to what I was paying for the car and that way it was all complete when I picked the car up.

I did a bit of hunting around the web for retrofit details but so far have not taken it any further although I would still like to upgrade. If anyone has done the upgrade I would be interested in whats involved. These links may be of some use to you.

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info ... olf-5.html
http://www.my-gti.com/739/upgrading-of- ... system-ops

If you like your music loud then you may also be disappointed because I believe the factory fit also mutes the sound system when reverse is engaged.

I have no ability to install a kit myself so I'd really need someone else to install it. Have looked around but no one else has given me a quote for the work, other than my dealer saying they can do it for £590.

[x5pea]

where are u biased mate

[slicedbread]

where are u biased mate

SW London

[x5pea]

where are u biased mate

SW London

ah sorry can help u mate