as usual, the actions of a few effect the many.
My last car, Skoda Octavia had a stream mp3 which for an elegance version looked naff. My 2007 car took a 2012 brand new bolero unit, looked much nicer, touch screen and SD card reader. Lost the ability to see parking sensors, but still beeped, no climate control popped up and it was dim until you put your lights on. Only an issue in the summer and a quick flick of the sides sorted it. All that was needed was a 4 digit code!
And if I had the cash, both the parking sensor display and climate control could be had, but it wasn't worth it.
Like you, it seems annoying that you have to really jump through hoops to upgrade. Alpine have the right idea, their unit has no sat-nav, you use your phone. Come on VAG, most people have a decent enough phone so just give us a screen and a dum unit with mirror link
vw get that already
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112942321062
no need for fancy extra`s like you say a fm/dab radio decent speakers and mirrolink
although i can`t find a decent phone with a big battery that has mirrorlink not just AA