How to install Apple CarPlay in my 2014 VW Polo

The ICE has aged though, in the sense that it doesn't support Apple CarPlay. What is a reasonable way I can upgrade it?

BHPian nutcracker recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I own a 2014 Orange Polo, with the sweet 1.5-litre diesel engine. They don't make them like that anymore.

The car has served me beautifully for the past 7 years and has crossed 1.15 lakh kilometres on the odometer. Even chronicled how happy I was with my VW, here.

Loss of sales due to Covid means that I don't have the budget for a new Polo, so I have to make do with this one. Plus, selling this will only net me pennies, so why not just keep it for 3 more years.

To be honest, I don't have any problems with this Polo, it is in great condition, drives like a dream.

The ICE has aged though, in the sense that it doesn't support Apple CarPlay.

What is a reasonable way I can upgrade it? I haven't modded my car's ICE for the past 7 years, so my knowledge is rusty.

A bonus would be an upgrade in sound quality too.

Here's what BHPian agambhandari had to say on the matter:

Install RCD340. Supports BT, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Keeps the OEM look.

Costs Rs 26,000 from VW.

There are cheaper aftermarket options (around Rs 15k), but none of them integrate as well.

Here's what BHPian vishy76 had to say on the matter:

The RCD 340 is your best bet. It has a large screen, supports android auto and Apple CarPlay and the rest of the lot including Bluetooth, aux and USB (no CDs but I don't think it's needed at all in today's day and age).

VW is retailing these. These are the OE Visteon makes (same ones that come on the Polo and Vento that roll of the factory floors). Beware though, lots of fake units doing the rounds these days from China including ones which have a SCAN button. The OE RCD 340G does not have a scan button. It has a slot for the microphone there. If you see an HU with a scan button or lacking an aux port, it's an import from China. (Also called the RCD360 on Ali Express. Many resellers here selling them as MIB converted units for sky high prices after importing them dirt cheap). The part number of the OE Visteon ends with 187C.

You will also need to use a conversion harness. Your Polo has a RCD 320 IIRC. That unit uses an ISO harness. The RCD 340G uses a Quad-lock connector. You will have to use the adapters and also tap CAN high and low signals in order to ensure the HU backlighting and switching on and off with ignition works seamlessly. Fellow moderator Gannu_1 has documented the same very well on his thread when he retrofitted the RCD 510 in his Polo.

What you will gain with the 340G over the 320:

• Larger touchscreen and much better aesthetics
• Support for a reverse camera and optical parking sensor display (only if you have the compatible OPS module. You will have to retrofit this)
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

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