RyoshiUtt
Active member
Thanks for recommending Kermatune
Just got my first TDI what recommendations would you have for things i should do for it.
- Thread starter RyoshiUtt
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watatrp
Veteran Member
Hoping that you are enjoying the Kermatune. I installed it last summer and have been carefree since. Today made a 400+ mile road trip and was able to average 50 mpg which is a first for me.Thanks for recommending Kermatune
RyoshiUtt
Active member
Without it I've been averaging 43-45 on my trips.
RyoshiUtt
Active member
after it arrives I'm wanting to see what I can average. Also after I save up enough money I'd like to get the dsg tune also. I've heard good things about itHoping that you are enjoying the Kermatune. I installed it last summer and have been carefree since. Today made a 400+ mile road trip and was able to average 50 mpg which is a first for me.
watatrp
Veteran Member
I was going to wait a while on the DSG tune since some others said it was fine without it. I found that some of the shift points were a little "off" and some were jerky. I added it only after a couple of weeks and am glad that I did. Made my car enjoyable to drive again.after it arrives I'm wanting to see what I can average. Also after I save up enough money I'd like to get the dsg tune also. I've heard good things about it
RyoshiUtt
Active member
That's what I've been hearing about them. And that is some of my pet peeves about the car. It's nothing big but it makes city driving annoying. Also start and stop traffic on the interstate.I was going to wait a while on the DSG tune since some others said it was fine without it. I found that some of the shift points were a little "off" and some were jerky. I added it only after a couple of weeks and am glad that I did. Made my car enjoyable to drive again.
Zambee500
Veteran Member
A couple of things on these CAIXI units from Ali Express. They do not support the factory installed amplifier with 9 speaker system (Fender branded). I went round and round with CAIXI and they seemed not to know about the factory installed amplifier/9 speaker option on the NMS version of the "B7" Passat that we got in the U.S. and Canada. It can work with after market amplifiers (not sure about 9 speakers) with normal amplifier plugs, but (if i understand correctly) the Fender system is controlled through the CANBUS and CAIXI doesn't have that in their CANBUS box, so it cannot communicate or "wake up" the amplifier and no sound comes out of the speakers. So the item description is partially wrong when it states flatly "B7 Passat" compatible.
It will work in the base model stereo for the NMS Passat though. And the professional installation company I used confirmed everything was indeed "plug and play" (not what I would call plug & play, but it is by industry norms). And the screen is gorgeous.
Also, Ali Express is a major PITA with returns/refunds. Despite their return/refund policy sounding very friendly (especially on your first return) if buyer is "unhappy" with your purchase. In actuality, they want video proof that the item doesn't work or they deny refunds. Of course, you don't know of this video evidence requirement until after you've already removed it and reinstalled the factory O.E. system. And this is despite having messages within the Ali Express "Message Center" with the Manufacturer/Seller where they flat-out confirm that their system will not work with 9-speaker system and you will get no sound if it has CANBUS factory installed amplifier. So just Buyer Beware with Ali Express.
If you have the Fender branded sound system, and you want an Android based direct fit replacement, you'll want to look for one that specifically states it works with the Fender & Dynasound audio systems. It needs the power amplifier chip and wired or programmed (or whatever) for the CANBUS to power the amp. I ended up going with this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165021818973
It will work in the base model stereo for the NMS Passat though. And the professional installation company I used confirmed everything was indeed "plug and play" (not what I would call plug & play, but it is by industry norms). And the screen is gorgeous.
Also, Ali Express is a major PITA with returns/refunds. Despite their return/refund policy sounding very friendly (especially on your first return) if buyer is "unhappy" with your purchase. In actuality, they want video proof that the item doesn't work or they deny refunds. Of course, you don't know of this video evidence requirement until after you've already removed it and reinstalled the factory O.E. system. And this is despite having messages within the Ali Express "Message Center" with the Manufacturer/Seller where they flat-out confirm that their system will not work with 9-speaker system and you will get no sound if it has CANBUS factory installed amplifier. So just Buyer Beware with Ali Express.
If you have the Fender branded sound system, and you want an Android based direct fit replacement, you'll want to look for one that specifically states it works with the Fender & Dynasound audio systems. It needs the power amplifier chip and wired or programmed (or whatever) for the CANBUS to power the amp. I ended up going with this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165021818973
@danmin - is the Ali Express straight plug and play? No codes or pairing or anything needed? I know you said you had a shop put it in with a sub, but curious if you do know if it's that straight forward.
That W9 model is a helluva deal compared to RCD330. Heck, even the upgrade to the GX9Pro looks like a great deal at ~$225.
I've got the OE Fender branded setup that is laggy as hell. Always had in back of mind to drop a Pioneer in with wiring harness and install kit like I did with my B5.5. But that would be several hundred dollars more and still looks aftermarket even if it works great. But the AliExpress looks more OEM with same/better features at a much lower price.
This was on my longer-term radar but might have to pull the trigger now if AliExpress is that straight forward and just $140 - $225 (depending on model/features selected). The current lagginess of the OE Fender Dynamics system is driving me crazy.
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Delete it. Run whatever oil you want, run what ever coolant you want. Keep up on oil changes, and timing belts upgrade the turbo if you can and tune it. Then beat the hell out of it. I haven't used VW specific coolant or oil since they day I bought mine
Zambee500
Veteran Member
Here it is. No issues with it besides it didn’t come with a backup camera adapter. That’ll cost about $20.
Make sure to get the “Color: W9(2-32GB)-0” Version. Best bang for your buck as far as which screen it has and processors. Come with wireless carplay. Makes the whole car seem a lot newer and nicer in my opinion. Also plenty of sound EQ options to get the most out of the crappy stock speakers.
Well I got a free CAIXI Android head unit OE style to offer up to anyone here who has the standard 4-speaker stereo system. You just gotta cover the shipping charges. That’s a $215 deal!!!
Long story is on post #97. Short version is Ali Express said this worked for my 2014 Passat, but turns out it doesn’t have the coding for running the OE Fender Dynamics system with 8 or 9 speakers and subwoofer. So it cannot wake up the system with subwoof. Despite Ali Express customer friendly statements on their website, they refused to honor the no-questions return policy and denied my refund request, so I disputed with my credit card and got a refund that way and they don’t want it returned. I did pay to have it professionally installed (temporarily) and the screen works and looked great, and after the installers couldn’t get the sound to work in my car, they bypassed my audio system to verify it does power a standard 4 speaker system.
Color “GX9 Pro (6-128GB)-0”. OE look. No lag. 8 core. 6+128GB. Runs on Android 12 OS. 8” screen. Carplay + Android Auto. Bluetooth 5.1. WiFi function. Supports steering wheel controls. Has 4G SIM card slot, but the professional installers told me that would be much slower than hotspotting off a 5G phone with WiFi, so not sure the purpose of it. It also has GPS and navigation maps but similarly, I don’t know why you’d ever use that with CarPlay/Android Auto functionality. “High Fidelity Car Android System” per the box.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...martRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
Also including the CAN bus decoder for OE reverse camera. I didn’t verify this works but if it turns out to be the wrong one you could contact CAIXI via Ali Express and ask for the CANBUS decoder for reverse camera to work with this system.
Free + shipping to first dibs. Just PM me and I'll post back when it's spoken for.