T6 Premium TFT Colour MFD

RetroRed5

RetroRed5

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VIP Member
Afternoon all,

Back in 2019, I purchased a new (factory order) T6 California Ocean; I ordered it with the Premium TFT Colour MFD (the small screen between the dials on the instrument cluster).

I've since sold this California.

Since then, I've had two T6 Caravelle Generation Six's, both had the Premium TFT Colour MFD - both these are now sold.

Earlier this year, I purchased another T6 (MY19) California Ocean, basically exactly the same as the brand new one I had back in 2019; the only real difference between my current and original Cali is that my original was 4Motion.

My current California came from the factory with the standard monochrome MFD and I've been trying to figure out if I can have it replaced with the premium colour version.

There are companies out their who can fit a colour screen into my existing instrument cluster, but from what I've seen, it will not be the same as the one that was on my original California (correct me if I'm wrong here).

I've spoken to VW and asked if I buy the instrument cluster that came with my original California, will it work in my current California, but since VW will only go from what their system tells them (based on the VIN or reg. no), then they say "We can't guarantee if it will work or not and since buying a new cluster is a special order, then there are no returns if it doesn't work".

I've got the VW part numbers for the instrument cluster from 2 of my past T6's which are...

7E0 920 980 L - MY17 Caravelle GenSix (Colour MFD)
7E0 920 981 A - MY19 T6 California Ocean (Colour MFD)

Also, the VW part number for my current California is...

7E0 920 971 A - MY19 T6 California Ocean (monochrome MFD)

So my question is, does anybody know if either of the parts from my original T6's will fit in my current T6?

I'm guessing some sort of coding will be needed (coding other than data transfer for things like mileage...etc).

For reference, here is a pic of the monochrome MFD in my current T6...

1763658934709.png

Here is a pic of the Premium Colour MFD from my original...

1763659023678.png

Many thanks.
 
Last edited:
Yes, you can upgrade your Instrument Cluster to 3D Premium.

Immobiliser data, mileage and CP would need to be transferred.
CP really applies if your bus is equipped with a radar(Front Assist and/or ACC) and/or Discover Media/Composition Media.

Technically it is doable as a DIY but specific Instrument Cluster interface would be required (VAGTACHO, ABRITES, etc.)

The easiest way is to find local specialist/locksmith and buy second hand IC yourself.
 
Robert said:
Yes, you can upgrade your Instrument Cluster to 3D Premium.

Immobiliser data, mileage and CP would need to be transferred.
CP really applies if your bus is equipped with a radar(Front Assist and/or ACC) and/or Discover Media/Composition Media.

Technically it is doable as a DIY but specific Instrument Cluster interface would be required (VAGTACHO, ABRITES, etc.)

The easiest way is to find local specialist/locksmith and buy second hand IC yourself.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response 👍

My California has the factory VW immobiliser (I'm guessing), factory ACC and the Discover Media Pro; I've also had a Ghost II installed, but not sure if having the Ghost makes a difference.

I don't have the tools or know-how to do this myself, so I'd much prefer either VW or some specialist to do it for me; do you know of any companies out there that can do this sort of thing?

You mention "Instrument Cluster interface would be required (VAGTACHO, ABRITES, etc.)", what is this exactly? Is it some additional part that needs to come from VW?

Thanks!
 
RetroRed5 said:
You mention "Instrument Cluster interface would be required (VAGTACHO, ABRITES, etc.)", whatr is this exactly? Is it some additional part that needs to come from VW?
Click to expand...
These are third party tools(nothing to do with official VW dealership tools) for work on Instrument Clusters.
Most(maybe all) automotive locksmith specialists would have this kind of interface in their tool box.
 
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Robert said:
These are third party tools(nothing to do with official VW dealership tools) for work on Instrument Clusters.
Most(maybe all) automotive locksmith specialists would have this kind of interface in their tool box.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info; I'll do some more research and see if I can find any specialists near'ish to me :thumbsup:

BTW - I updated my Avatar; I see from your profile that you are a fan of the Candy White/Cherry Red T6 👍
 
Have you considered getting a full digital display?
I’d guess it would be cheaper also.
Theres a guy on here @antony.charnley who will come to you to fit one.
I’d much rather have one of them than the upgrade you are after.
Although no idea if you are close enough.
 
The Flying Scotsman said:
Have you considered getting a full digital display?
I’d guess it would be cheaper also.
Theres a guy on @Anthony Charman who will come to you to fit one.
I’d much rather have one of them than the upgrade you are after.
Although no idea if you are close enough.
Click to expand...
That is a very good idea, so much so that I did in fact have Ant from Everest VW over at mine not so long ago to install a fully digital instrument cluster along with a new 11.5" floating head-unit, 360 cams, ADAS dashcam and direct TPMS.

Ant did an amazing job and the new tech is fantastic, it really lifts in the interior of the T6 to make it feel bang up to date.

However, I've got a bit of a thing for "factory spec" and the fact that it's now no longer factory bothers me (it shouldn't I know, but it does), and so I'm just in the process of reverting back to factory spec (yes, I know I'm nuts).

Here is a pic of what the digi-dash looks like in the T6...

1763662475017.png

I'm even reverting the fancy new 11.5" floating head-unit back to factory!!
 
A bit of an update...

I've found a company that does the upgrade from monochrome to colour MFD in the instrument cluster, but we have a bit of confusion going on at the moment, so maybe somebody on here can help.

This company basically replaces the whole instrument cluster for a new one that has the colour display, they do the coding/data transfer and re-code all of the keys - sounds good!

The confusion is coming from the "PR" codes for the different clusters.

The cluster I currently have in my California is VW part number 7E0920871A, this has a PR code of 9Q5.

The cluster I want to upgrade to is VW part number 7E0920981A, this has a PR code of 9Q4.

I don't fully know what the difference between 9Q4 and 9Q5 is other than generally speaking the 9Q5 would be considered a newer/improved version of the 9Q4.

Looking online, I found the following...

1764092226861.png

My original California (delivered from the factory in January 2019) had the part highlighted in green (9Q4) and my current California (MY19) has the part highlighted in yellow (9Q5); as you can see from the table though, both were available from the same date (06.08.2018) and the green one (which is the colour version) is considerably more expensive than the yellow one (the monochrome version).

I also used an online PR code decoder which shows the following...

1764092704643.png

So in the colour 9Q4 actually a downgrade from my current monochrome 9Q5?

Are they interchangeable?

What functionality (if any) will stop working if I do swap my current 7E0920871A (9Q5) to the 7E0920981A (9Q4)?

Thanks.
 
RetroRed5 said:
So in the colour 9Q4 actually a downgrade from my current monochrome 9Q5?
Click to expand...
No, it would be upgrade.

RetroRed5 said:
Are they interchangeable?
Click to expand...
Yes.

RetroRed5 said:
What functionality (if any) will stop working if I do swap my current 7E0920871A (9Q5) to the 7E0920981A (9Q4)?
Click to expand...
The same functionality in general, some minor advantages for colour 3D Premium apart from obvious visual aspects.

This is my poor attempt to show the difference:
7E0 920 88X X (colour 3D Premium MFD)speed in km/h
7E0 920 87X X (monochrome MFD plus)speed in km/h
7E0 920 86X X (basic monochrome MFD, no fuel and no temp analogue gauges)speed in km/h

7E0 920 98X X (colour MFD)speed in km/h & mph
7E0 920 97X X (monochrome MFD plus)speed in km/h & mph
7E0 920 96X X (basic monochrome MFD, no fuel and no temp analogue gauges)speed in km/h & mph

See below
Screenshot_20251126_112726_Chrome.webp

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Thank you very much Robert, this is very helpful :thumbsup:

I'm a VIP member of the VW California Owners Club/Forum, so it probably about time I joined the T6 club as well.
 
I think I might know someone who would purchase that digi-dash when/if you're done with it. (cough cough) ;)
 
Howzat said:
I think I might know someone who would purchase that digi-dash when/if you're done with it. (cough cough) ;)
Click to expand...
I "think" the chap who installed it, and who is shortly going to uninstall it wants it (since it has only been in my bus for a few weeks), but if he doesn't, I will give you a shout ;)
 
It's a brand new instrument cluster directly from VW, so it is just as it comes from the factory, no mods or tweaks.
 
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