Paulfury

Hi all - quick testimonial here for VW Direct in Skelton. I don't work for them, am not related, didn't receive any kickbacks etc etc - just wanted to share as it can be hard to find good places. My 2014 Skoda Superb mk2 estate had issues with the clockspring/steering wheel module after it was replaced at a VAG specialist dealer near me (Manchester) following a failure. The MFD controls didn't return to working after the replacement, and my cruise control had become disabled once the new module was installed. The specialist ASSURED me they'd done everything correctly and the part had been coded, told me the issues were new and the MFD and cruise controls had suffered mechanical failures (even after I had them look at it again) and they needed to investigate replacing them. They had also thrown away the old clockspring and were not able to provide a copy of the diagnostic scan of the car so I could see what the old coding values were. This advice did not sit right with me - the MFD controls had been fine right up until the clockspring failure, and the cruise had worked without any issue after that too, right up until the new installation. I was left having to take the car back to sort it myself as they were not willing to concede it could be coding related or that they'd missed anything. I struggled to find anyone I felt could sort it until I found a YouTube video from VW Direct (https://www.vwdirect.co.uk/) showing the exact part being coded in a similar vehicle to restore the functionality. I called them up (yesterday) and spoke to Toby at VW Direct who was very reassuring and confident he could rebuild the coding without the old part or a known good scan. I drove up today (Manchester to Skelton, so a LONG way - c 130 miles). This might seem a bit much but I genuinely struggled to find garages who filled me with confidence that they could resolve the issue nearer to me after the first one failed to do so. The directions were perfect, and sure enough Toby sorted it PERFECTLY and very quickly, with no waiting. He was extremely thorough and checked everything including a super quick test drive. The pricing was very reasonable indeed and the scan and info provided give me some recourse to chase the first garage for some compensation (he proved the new module had the default coding after installation, and hadn't been recoded correctly). I would have no qualms about taking my car to VW Direct again, long distance or no - the service was EXCELLENT and I was treated really well. They put my local "specialists" in the shade! Book in with confidence! Cheers all, Paul

Thanks for the replies everyone. Not totally on the original topic, BUT I managed to remove the CD module from the Octavia Bolero and fit it into my Superb one successfully today. Only tools used were a trim tool, a little torx multitool, a magnet and a flat blade screwdriver to prise the lid off. Whole thing took about 30 mins or so, going very slow/careful. Broadly, the steps are: - remove inlaid trim - remove 4 torx T20 screws - release the outer fascia - carefully pull the unit out - disconnect passenger airbag warning light - disconnect fakra aerial connector - disconnect quadlock connector and remove the unit On the unit: - undo the small torx screw on the top near the back middle of the unit - remove the lid - undo four torx screws on the sides (two per side) of the unit holding the CD module in place inside - lift the CD module out carefully - there's a ribbon cable on the underside attached to a connector on the PCB in the base, pull it up vertically gently and it'll release I had the module from the "wrong" replacement Bolero I had bought. It went back in, everything perfect - just reverse the steps. And now I have a car with a working CD player! Result. Hopefully this helps some other owners in the same spot. Best wishes and (belated) happy new year all.

Yeah, it's totally disproportionate. I'm starting to get to the "f it/totally aftermarket" solution at this point. Mad with myself because the car was cheap and I checked EVERYTHING except the ruddy CD player! Have some budget in reserve for cambelt etc but didn't plan on having to drop so much cash on a radio upgrade.

Yeah, maddening. Sorry to hear you've also had the same mix-up!

So the replacement Bolero I bought (from a 2011 Octavia) is the wrong shape and won't fit. My bad - should've done more homework! Back to the drawing board....

Hi SuperJack, My Bolero has the 6 cd changer in the head unit but it just takes discs and can't play them. I bought an identical one for (very) cheap yesterday and bought a code from eBay - for now I'm just going to swap it back and assuming it works, leave it as-is. If the new one works we could sort something out, I'm sure (sorry admins, not trying to break any rules here!). Just be aware that the Bolero doesn't have Bluetooth built in, it uses a separate module under the seat so if you need that and you don't have the module, you'll have to get that too. Also if your car had a Swing instead of a Bolero from the factory, you might need to get it coded on VCDS - and you'll need a code for my stereo, which I don't have as it's factory.... FWIW Bolero works OK but it's nothing to get excited about IMO. I just don't want to lose the steering controls, Maxidot integration and the reverse OPS display! I've been looking at stereo options and it is a minefield if you want to keep the functionality. I think I'm gonna just get a little Pure or Alpine DAB and have it fitted as discreetly as possible and wire up to the aux. Cheers all, Paul

Thanks pab567. I had seen your thread/video. That unit doesn't have CD though, no? Kind regards, Paul

Hi all, I've got a (new to me) 2014 Superb Mk2 140CR estate with a Bolero headunit. The CD player doesn't work (seen a lot of threads about this) so I'm up for spending a bit to upgrade. I want CD, DAB, Bluetooth, AM/FM and all the steering wheel stuff/OPS/Canbus integration to work etc. Nav would be nice but isn't essential. Is the cheapest/lowest hassle option to get a used Amundsen+ and get the DAB (and maybe GPS) aerials installed? Guessing the car will still need some VCDS coding? Alternatively are there any good branded aftermarket units that work without losing functionality? In the interim, I presume I could swap in a cheap used Bolero just to get the CD functionality back, guessing I'd need the code? Thanks and kind regards - sorry, I know this is a well-beaten topic, I've read a ton of posts but am still not sure which way to go. Cheers all, Paul