MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: edition_30 on December 11, 2009, 02:00:01 pm

Title: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: edition_30 on December 11, 2009, 02:00:01 pm
I'm looking to get some sensors fitted.. now i have been searching on the forum & found that there are 2 types.

1st being the factory fitted which are counter sunk in the bumper & look awesome.
Then there are the after-market which are fitted by vw but don't look the same..

Any ideas if i can get the countersunk ones fitted direct from vw.. it must be possible as what if somebody had original sensors fitted from factory & one failed.. surely vw would replace with the same type..

Is it not just a case of getting the correct part numbers etc..
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: ollie288 on December 11, 2009, 02:09:04 pm
I saw a bumper on ebay a while back with the sensor holes cut in it. Im sure the countersunk ones could be fitted into this :confused:
Like you say it is probably finding the correct part number.
 :happy2:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: pazz on December 11, 2009, 02:14:57 pm
There are probably three angles of attack when retro-fitting Parking Sensors

1) Dealership
Ask for a price when you next call by. BUT be aware that some dealerships just pass Parking Sensor work onto external independents as they either dont have the skilled staff to align and drill the rear bumper or that they just dont believe theres any money in doing the work.

If your lucky enough to have a dealership with skilled techs then they will use Volkswagwen branded parts. But be aware that this is a "universal" kit which fits many other VW. These are IMO inferior parts they tend to be very straight forward to fit and as such dont sit as flush as factory fit.


2) Independent
Quite a few places do this now. And would more than likely be the cheapest option.

3) DIY
No doubt the hardest, but also the most rewarding. You will need either a very friendly parts tech at your VW dealership or a copy of ETKA. Its possible to fit the MK5 original factory fit sensors or the MK6 front and rear kit. I'd also make sure you have a decent bodyshop who would be willing to align and drill your rear bumper for you. Then there's a bit of programming on VAGCOM and away you go.
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Jules86 on December 11, 2009, 03:38:50 pm
Its only about 250 quid from the dealer, i looked in to it when i got mine but decided im a good parker and spent the money on clothes  :signLOL:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: danishmkvgti on December 11, 2009, 04:09:15 pm
There are probably three angles of attack when retro-fitting Parking Sensors

1) Dealership
Ask for a price when you next call by. BUT be aware that some dealerships just pass Parking Sensor work onto external independents as they either dont have the skilled staff to align and drill the rear bumper or that they just dont believe theres any money in doing the work.

If your lucky enough to have a dealership with skilled techs then they will use Volkswagwen branded parts. But be aware that this is a "universal" kit which fits many other VW. These are IMO inferior parts they tend to be very straight forward to fit and as such dont sit as flush as factory fit.


2) Independent
Quite a few places do this now. And would more than likely be the cheapest option.

3) DIY
No doubt the hardest, but also the most rewarding. You will need either a very friendly parts tech at your VW dealership or a copy of ETKA. Its possible to fit the MK5 original factory fit sensors or the MK6 front and rear kit. I'd also make sure you have a decent bodyshop who would be willing to align and drill your rear bumper for you. Then there's a bit of programming on VAGCOM and away you go.


I have fitted a ED30 rearbumper that had the rear sensors installed, the rear bumper has fittings on the inside for the sensors, instead of drilling why not get a qoute on the upper part of the rear bumper that are designed for the real VW sensors??
Might cost a bit more, but definately the best solution regarding alighment and finish IMO.
They were a plus since i just wanted to get the ED30 rear bumper, and i must admit i find it comforting to know they are there.  :santa:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Greeners on December 11, 2009, 04:18:17 pm
Its only about 250 quid from the dealer, i looked in to it when i got mine but decided im a good parker and spent the money on clothes  :signLOL:

+1 If the Golf was a big car i'd get it, but it isnt! I find them irritating, when I had them I would hit the button as soon as they started beeping as it annoyed me!  :laugh:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Jules86 on December 11, 2009, 04:39:19 pm
I have never needed them, if a space looks to small ill go elsewhere and walk further. Its overkill on a hatchback really!
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: animal on December 11, 2009, 04:47:19 pm
I have never needed them, if a space looks to small ill go elsewhere and walk further. Its overkill on a hatchback really!

What are bumpers for anyway?! I got into bad habits when I temp'ed as a driver for HelpHire.

Brand new M5 with parking sensors... I just kept going until I nudged the car behind. (Note, they were all courtesy cars, not private ones!!) It never used to leave any marks, there's loads of give in a modern bumper, there has to be by law. I just have remember to be more careful now in supermakets with my car, seems it's a hard habit to break.

Some of the guys I used to work with though... Their driving was shocking...

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv291%2Fanimal87%2FDSC00118.jpg&hash=6da2355d892b2dbad0ed811ce24bef359ce9be50)

No, this wasn't my doing!! Car was ruined though, what you can't see is the up-right on the side of the truck that skewered the suspension. And it was brand new. We had to get a forklift over from one of the units across the road to push it back onto the truck. I guess you pay peanuts, you get monkeys - the boss was a mate and i just wanted to drive fast cars for the summer!

Sorry... I digress.
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: candy turbo on December 11, 2009, 08:42:21 pm
i think they are use less , my S3 came with them and if you took any notice of them you would never reverse any where !!!!!!
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on December 11, 2009, 08:44:51 pm
Rear camera FTW  :wink:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Greeners on December 11, 2009, 09:08:51 pm
Rear camera FTW  :wink:

Yep I'd like one of those just for the gadget factor!  :xmaspresent:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Jules86 on December 11, 2009, 09:42:51 pm
Rear camera FTW  :wink:

Yep I'd like one of those just for the gadget factor!  :xmaspresent:

Two cheap video call phones, tape one to the back of the car and ring it when your reversing  :drinking:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Oli on December 11, 2009, 09:46:50 pm
I like rear sensors!, just makes you a lazier driver. Most of my previous cars have had them, the ed30 hasn't, took a little getting used to, especially for the wife!!!  Not bothered about them now I driven 7000 miles without them.

If I were ordering anew car again they would definately be on the options list, as many toys as possible for me!
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: TomB on December 12, 2009, 04:18:43 pm
The OE flush fit sensors work differently to the other kit, so you have to spend a fortune on control units and wiring, etc.

The other VW kit is a rebranded Cobra kit.  All manufacturers supply the Cobra kit for retrofitting and I've not seen one go wrong yet in my years of motor trade madness. 

I'm going to get one of these kits and flush fit them into 4 recesses that are already in my Votex rear splitter. They'll be a little low but they'll be OK.  I'm also going to wire the buzzer into a switch that I'll put next to the ESP button because they're not always necessary :)
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Lyons on January 30, 2010, 07:43:31 pm
Thought I'd bump this thread up rather than starting a new one.

The wife is looking some rear sensors on her Mk5 Match (and if im honest im even considering them myself) and I just wondered if anyone has had them retro fitted by a dealer?

My mother in law got Mercedes to fit them on her C Class but they're blatently some after market effort, with a small display in the rear window which lights up the closer you get to the car.

Are the VW ones just the same as those that are factory fitted?
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on January 30, 2010, 07:48:10 pm
The dealer fit ones will be aftermarket for the likes of cobra, so they won't be countersunk like the factor fit ones  :smiley:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Lyons on January 30, 2010, 09:06:12 pm
Im not too worried about the sensors to be honest- neither flush fit or not really offend me.

Id just be keen to hear how the audible warning sounds. Is it an OEM beep or an obvious aftermarket screech!?
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: VC on January 31, 2010, 12:37:59 am
sissy sensors  :innocent: :P

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Faa104%2FverycherryR32%2Foldwomendrivers.jpg&hash=0198af65fd2a1ffa7258e26ecd3233cbb9ce42ee)
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: gaz b on January 31, 2010, 11:27:00 am
I have the OEM ones fitted to my GTI. (although it is very had to see from the pic :ashamed:) I like them though :smiley: . It certainly hasn't made me a lazy driver


(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fi30%2Fgar34%2Fvarious156.jpg&hash=e86aa0b38c7f5bf87a29993e655785ab94345c11)

I would have chosen the highline computer instead if I had bought the car from new :chicken:
Im not too worried about the sensors to be honest- neither flush fit or not really offend me.

Id just be keen to hear how the audible warning sounds. Is it an OEM beep or an obvious aftermarket screech!?

Its just an oem beep! :wink:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on January 31, 2010, 12:25:05 pm
The future is the reverse camera anyway  :wink:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Lyons on January 31, 2010, 09:55:53 pm
Gaz, were they retro fitted, or from the factory?

Id planned to get a camera, but im not convinced. WOuld like to see 1 working first.
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on January 31, 2010, 09:58:24 pm
^^^ If you don't have the sensors the camera is just as much to fit (as long as you have the RNS or RCD-510).

The camera is really good quality and works well in low light/darkness too  :happy2:

I also drove a Focus ST with the rear view camera last week too and the VW one is loads better  :smiley:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Oli on January 31, 2010, 10:26:15 pm
That wasn't a test drive in the ST was it........
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on January 31, 2010, 10:28:01 pm
Nope, someone lent me one for a bit of fun  :driver: :driver:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Oli on January 31, 2010, 10:35:27 pm
Thank god, they're sh1te, aren't they?  I haven't liked the numerous STs and the RS focuses that I have driven.
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Lyons on February 01, 2010, 07:48:36 am
^^^ If you don't have the sensors the camera is just as much to fit (as long as you have the RNS or RCD-510).

The camera is really good quality and works well in low light/darkness too  :happy2:

I also drove a Focus ST with the rear view camera last week too and the VW one is loads better  :smiley:

The Match doesnt have the RNS, and mine does. But dont have access to vagcom, which is another downside to the camera. I know how good sensors are at what they do though, id just need to see the camera working first to see which id prefer.
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: gaz b on February 01, 2010, 09:47:13 am
Gaz, were they retro fitted, or from the factory?

Id planned to get a camera, but im not convinced. WOuld like to see 1 working first.

Mine were factory fitted buddy! :smiley:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Garth on February 01, 2010, 10:11:26 am
I'm going for a more 50:50 kind of install....

I bought a mint GTI complete rear bumper off ebay with parking sensor holes/mounts for only £25  :grin:

I'm going to fit some after market sensors in the counter sunk holes and with a bit of creativity, they should look totally OEM.

That's if I can ever be bothered to do it!
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on February 01, 2010, 06:36:24 pm
^^^ If you don't have the sensors the camera is just as much to fit (as long as you have the RNS or RCD-510).

The camera is really good quality and works well in low light/darkness too  :happy2:

I also drove a Focus ST with the rear view camera last week too and the VW one is loads better  :smiley:

The Match doesnt have the RNS, and mine does. But dont have access to vagcom, which is another downside to the camera. I know how good sensors are at what they do though, id just need to see the camera working first to see which id prefer.

Whereabouts are you?

I am fitting one and assisting in the fitting of another rear view camera  on two other forumites cars this week so will have a couple more car to demo it on if your near by  :happy2:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: 182_blue on February 01, 2010, 06:54:00 pm
 :happy2: :happy2: :wink: :wink:

^^^ If you don't have the sensors the camera is just as much to fit (as long as you have the RNS or RCD-510).

The camera is really good quality and works well in low light/darkness too  :happy2:

I also drove a Focus ST with the rear view camera last week too and the VW one is loads better  :smiley:

The Match doesnt have the RNS, and mine does. But dont have access to vagcom, which is another downside to the camera. I know how good sensors are at what they do though, id just need to see the camera working first to see which id prefer.

Whereabouts are you?

I am fitting one and assisting in the fitting of another rear view camera  on two other forumites cars this week so will have a couple more car to demo it on if your near by  :happy2:
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Lyons on February 01, 2010, 06:57:49 pm
Glasgow and Belfast!?
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: SteveP on February 01, 2010, 07:00:27 pm
Arhhh, won't be getting that far north for while.
Title: Re: OEM Parking sensors
Post by: Lyons on February 01, 2010, 07:08:36 pm
Lol. Appreciate the offer though!