I'll be taking delivery of my OctyVRS DSG soon and as per plan intend to swap the Bolero head unit with a in dash satnav unit almost straight away. Have thought of various options but this deal currently caught my fancy:

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-pioneer-avic-f930bt_p-27101.htm

What can I expect to get for my Bolero unit? I have heard figures as high as £350. In which case replacing it with a pioneer unit costing about £650 which gives you iPod Bluetooth and satnav seems to be no brainer. Any thoughts?

If I do want to sell my Bolero, what would be the best place to do so and do I have to get the radio code from the dealer at time of delivery?

Frankly, I don't think the Pioneer fits with Octavia's dashboard and lights. Why don't you want to go OEM and look for a Columbus navigation?

The problem with aftermarket in the octy2 dash, is they all look wrong due to the facia adapters you have to use. For some reason anything aftermarket, no matter how expensive is made to look cheap and nasty due to the cheap plastics used in the fitting adapters. With the pioneer you also lose all the on screen graphics from the parking sensors and climate control, and if you have gone for maxidot all the integration with the instrument cluster.

I'd also vote to get a columbus, can be had cheaper than the pioneer and is a simple straight swap.

1329640394[/url]' post='2692392']

The problem with aftermarket in the octy2 dash, is they all look wrong due to the facia adapters you have to use. For some reason anything aftermarket, no matter how expensive is made to look cheap and nasty due to the cheap plastics used in the fitting adapters. With the pioneer you also lose all the on screen graphics from the parking sensors and climate control, and if you have gone for maxidot all the integration with the instrument cluster.

I'd also vote to get a columbus, can be had cheaper than the pioneer and is a simple straight swap.

Thanks to you both. With the Columbus I still need Bluetooth separately (I think) and the combined cost is much higher. The pioneer website says its canbus compatible with PDC and heating. The VRS comes standard with maxi dot and I'd hate to loose functionality there. OEM looks are important to me so I'll reconsider. Thanks

There is a ken wood unit that looks very oem... Can't remember the model name and I'm on my phone

If you care so much about the bluetooth take a look at Zenec NC2010 http://www.zenec.com/en/products/ego/volkswagen-seat/ze-nc2010/

Problem is that the lights are white instead of green but I know someone who replaced them.

^ What Clodius said :-) I just fitted the Zenec 2010 in mine and I love it. Looks very OEM, but adds bluetooth.

Thanks for that info. The website doesn't mention compatibility with Skoda. Is it plug and play or does it require Vagcom? Could I ask where you got yours and what you paid for it? Certainly looks good in the pics

Hi there,

If you have a rummage around on the website there is a compatability list, which states Octavias 2008 on, facelift only. The 'facelift only' bit relates to retaining the park distance and climate control displays on the head unit. My car is an '08 pre f/l and so I have lost these functions, but to be honest don't miss them - the parking distance beeps still beep, and the climate controls display the temperature etc. anyway. Obviously, if yours is new you won't have this issue.

Functionality wise, it integrates nicely with the maxidot display without any re coding. When you are navigating, you select the 'Audio' display on the maxidot and instead of the track name etc, the Zenec shows nav arrows and distances. Not much else to say really, does bluetooth handsfree and music streaming, plays DVD's and comes with a external box that you can plug USB sticks or iPODs into, or the SD slot on the front of the unit.

They're about £800 online, which I realise is more than a second hand Columbus, but I wanted a new unit with a warranty rather than an eBay item of possible mysterious heritage, plus you'd still have to buy a bluetooth module, bringing it up to much the same price anyway.

Hope this helps

Thank you that is really helpful. Just got call from dealer car has arrived. Taking delivery 10th March. Money permitting will upgrade HU soon after and will post pics etc.

Did you buy a new headunit? Be interested to know. I bought a new VRS too and would like bluetooth/satnav without the expense of the standard retrofitting of the columbus unit.

I have the AVIC 940bt. Works a treat. Shows up PDC & climate.

And no negative impact on maxidot.

Did you buy a new headunit? Be interested to know. I bought a new VRS too and would like bluetooth/satnav without the expense of the standard retrofitting of the columbus unit.

I haven't yet no (no cash????) but am now swaying towards columbus off eBay (circa £600) and OEM Bluetooth from Poland (£170). Same cost as Zenec! Do let us know if you do upgrade

I have the AVIC 940bt. Works a treat. Shows up PDC & climate.

And no negative impact on maxidot.

Any pics mate?