GOLFMK8
GOLFMK7
GOLFMK6
GOLFMKV

ECS Virtual cockpit

HartGTI

New member
Location
Louisiana
The virtual cockpit is something I’m interested in doing sometime down the road. I have a 2018 GTI and noticed that ECS tuning has the virtual cockpit for sale now (not sure if they’ve had them for awhile now or just started selling them). Other than the display itself and the trim, what else is needed? Is the fiber optics cable needed for a 2018+ model as well?

I haven’t found much information, while I’m also new to the GTI scene and the components of the radio and the MIB2 or previous generation systems.

No product details are listed with the cockpit so I have no idea if any cables come with the cockpit or if I use existing ones that run to the original dash.

Also if anyone had it installed by the dealer, this doesn’t seem normal for them to do unless you have the parts in hand? Did it take some convincing to have them install and I’m assuming it wasn’t cheap?

Many questions about it but I want to be sure I could do it myself and if I feel overwhelmed I’ll be able to hand the job over to someone else if necessary when the time comes.

Thanks.
 

copperbricks

Ready to race!
Location
Ohio
Here's a site that sells it with the required fiber optic splitter cable
https://eurozonetuning.com/products/volkswagen-active-info-display-retrofit-kit

I believe the physical installation could be done by you but it wouldn't be functional until you had a dealer program it. The site I linked mentions requiring an ODIS tool, which I know my mechanics have so you might be able to find a German specialty shop that would do it if your dealership won't.
I'm also not 100% sure how it would affect your odometer, I think if the digital cockpit is new the dealer can roll it forward once to match your current mileage.
 

PLF8593

Drag Race Newbie
Location
Philly
Car(s)
19 Alltrack 6MT
Wouldn't odometer be inside the ECU? An immutable value in a secure location that is referenced by a module of some sort
 

HartGTI

New member
Location
Louisiana
The odometer is also the big thing for me. I’m sitting at 4K miles now and obviously would want the virtual cockpit to display whatever I’ll be sitting at. There is a VW specialty shop right by my VW dealer so I’m sure they may also be able to do it/program it.
 

HartGTI

New member
Location
Louisiana
Here's a site that sells it with the required fiber optic splitter cable
https://eurozonetuning.com/products/volkswagen-active-info-display-retrofit-kit

I believe the physical installation could be done by you but it wouldn't be functional until you had a dealer program it. The site I linked mentions requiring an ODIS tool, which I know my mechanics have so you might be able to find a German specialty shop that would do it if your dealership won't.
I'm also not 100% sure how it would affect your odometer, I think if the digital cockpit is new the dealer can roll it forward once to match your current mileage.



This is nice but it’s also $500 more than ECS’s current deal. ECS’s is currently at $900 for the dash alone (plus $100 for trim). So all that’s left is fiber optic cable I suppose. Like I said I’m not buying it now but definitely would go with ECS.
 

IWMTom

Autocross Newbie
The odometer is also the big thing for me. I’m sitting at 4K miles now and obviously would want the virtual cockpit to display whatever I’ll be sitting at. There is a VW specialty shop right by my VW dealer so I’m sure they may also be able to do it/program it.

Don't think anyone can do it yet. Just put a cluster change sticker on your driver door sill.
 

Sparky589

Drag Racing Champion
Yeah as far as I'm aware to get complete cluster integration and functionality you need ODIS, which is VW's specific scan tool for dealers and authorized shops. If memory serves, one of the steps in retrofitting a new instrument cluster is reprograming the keys, and that's not something you can do with OBD11 or VCDS.
 

drag

New member
Location
ON
This is nice but it’s also $500 more than ECS’s current deal. ECS’s is currently at $900 for the dash alone (plus $100 for trim). So all that’s left is fiber optic cable I suppose. Like I said I’m not buying it now but definitely would go with ECS.

This place seems even cheaper:
https://www.vwcarpart.com/oem-parts/volkswagen-combination-inst-5g1920791a
https://www.vwcarpart.com/oem-parts/volkswagen-trim-5g0857189baah?c=bD0xJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM=

Splitter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18e1-Kabel...m=371347692743&_trksid=p2060778.c100290.m3507


This thread has some good info. This is an upgrade I'm also looking at in the future.

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...ay-(AID)-DIY-Retrofit-Guide-for-Golf-Alltrack
 

HartGTI

New member
Location
Louisiana



If I didn’t just buy a laptop, I probably would’ve bought this right now lol. Less than a grand total for a brand new dash (without programming of course).
 

southpawboston

Drag Racing Champion
Location
Somerville, MA
This guy over at the other site retrofitted his Alltrack SEL with the virtual cockpit, and gives a very thorough tutorial. Notice in some of the photos you can see his car's existing mileage on the new display, so there does not appear to be any changing of the odo. The poster mentions ODIS in his thread, but he doesn't mention component protection specifically. My understanding is that NEW parts registered on your car's CAN Bus become VIN-tied to your car, and only require CP removal if taken out and installed on a car with a different VIN.

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...ay-(AID)-DIY-Retrofit-Guide-for-Golf-Alltrack
 

drag

New member
Location
ON
New parts require component protection coding as well. The odometer on the displays can be changed if the display has less than 100km (any new one would).



This guy over at the other site retrofitted his Alltrack SEL with the virtual cockpit, and gives a very thorough tutorial. Notice in some of the photos you can see his car's existing mileage on the new display, so there does not appear to be any changing of the odo. The poster mentions ODIS in his thread, but he doesn't mention component protection specifically. My understanding is that NEW parts registered on your car's CAN Bus become VIN-tied to your car, and only require CP removal if taken out and installed on a car with a different VIN.

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...ay-(AID)-DIY-Retrofit-Guide-for-Golf-Alltrack
 

IWMTom

Autocross Newbie
This guy over at the other site retrofitted his Alltrack SEL with the virtual cockpit, and gives a very thorough tutorial. Notice in some of the photos you can see his car's existing mileage on the new display, so there does not appear to be any changing of the odo. The poster mentions ODIS in his thread, but he doesn't mention component protection specifically. My understanding is that NEW parts registered on your car's CAN Bus become VIN-tied to your car, and only require CP removal if taken out and installed on a car with a different VIN.

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...ay-(AID)-DIY-Retrofit-Guide-for-Golf-Alltrack

It's not just CP either, the Immo data is stored in the cluster so ODIS needs to be used to code all the keys.
 
Top