Rizmod

I fitted the Choetech one a week ago for my Samsung Galaxy S8. It works and looks really well. The only issues were: My phone is very long. In order for it to sit properly on top of the charging pad, I had to raise the Choetech with some felt pads underneath (not visible though). For a shorter phone, this wouldn't be an issue. I've powered it with a lead from the USB socket, but needed to get a really flexible/thin one; otherwise the USB plug sticks up too high for the cover to slide fully towards the gear lever. For now, I've taped the USB cable out of the way with insulating tape. At some point, I'll do a better wiring job to free up the USB socket again and bring 5V in behind, i.e. hidden. I can't comment on power draw, but charging speed is ok for me. Also, the charging pad doesn't drain the battery as it is turned off shortly after the car locks.

I installed the RaceChip XLR last weekend and it's great. I'm also tending towards Sport + as it just removes the lag/delay but is fine in traffic + stop/start queues.

Hi Stu. No, I didn't need any special tools, just used reasonable care not to break anything. I've since swapped cars to a Superb L&K 220 Tsi, but the vRS + spare manifold + loads of spares has gone to a good home: my son in Tarleton!

I've been driving a Mk 2 Octavia vRS 2.0 Tsi for the last six years. Before that was the 2.5 V6 diesel Mk1 Superb (which I loved until the suspension got too rattly). Although I love my vRS, my wife complains that her back aches on long journeys, so it has to go (not far though - my petrol head son is getting it). Last week I ordered a Laurin & Klement 2.0 Tsi 220 hatchback with only 6,000 miles on it in business grey. Not entirely sure of every extra it will have as it's coming internally from within Skoda, but am definitely looking forward to it. I would have bought a lower trim spec but the L&K trim is the only one with electric-adjustable passenger seat, so she insisted <g>. I've also separately ordered the Racechip XLR throttle tuner as I found the DSG throttle delay annoying when I did test drives in both a 220 and a 280. I nearly bought a 280 but this would have taken the new car list price (not what I'm paying) over the April 2017 £40K threshold and cost me an additional £310/year in road tax. I'd have loved the extra power and the 4x4 but couldn't justify the extra initial outlay + ongoing road tax hike. To maximise the available power, I'll fit a Pipercross panel filter and only use super-unleaded petrol (at the risk of inviting negative comment, I got smoother/more power and better mpg in the vRS like that). I'll consider a remap when the warranty expires.

Three years ago, I replaced the intake manifold at 42,000 miles to cure a P2015 error "intake manifold runner position sensor/switch" on the vRS. I took the opportunity to do a decoke at the same time as per my post: All was well until recently when the error re-appeared after only another 23,000 miles! Luckily, I'd kept the failed original intake manifold and was able to decoke/wash it internally in a Safety Kleen parts cleaner and appiy some silcone grease to the bearing surfaces. Second time around, swapping the manifolds only took a couple of hours, though I again extended the job by doing an inlet valves decoke. The error immediately disappeared, mpg improved and it's been like it for three months since. Happy days! P.S. the flap position sensor switch tested fine with a multimeter on the bench so I didn't do anything with it, just refitted it. Likewise the actuator was fine. In my case, the error was obviously only caused by sticky flaps/spindles, not the switch.

I also did this on mine 5 years ago and haven't had a single squeak since. Before that it was really noisy! It is THE SOLUTION!

When I did it, my traffic alerts worked fine. The dash is only plastic so I'm guessing that it doesn't attenuate the signal much.

I've got an AS-620 from iceboxauto. It was the successor to the ANS-620. The newest models start with DS- http://www.iceboxauto.com/vw-octavia-2007-2013-7-as610 Mine is brilliant. It replaced my Bolero without any trim or cable changes. Does everything I could possibly want, though obviously I can't install android apps or browse the internet on it! The one vRSBobT linked to looks to be the same shape but upgraded yet again. The key differences are higher resolution screen, better bluetooth, phone link and TPMS. They all need the facelift Octy to make full use of the canbus features, e.g MFSW, display aircon, parking sensors and OBD info. Iceboxauto import these head units from Audiosources. The fit and finish are equal to OEM. They show various models at: http://www.audiosources.net/prod_view.aspx?TypeId=50002&Id=303&FId=t3:50002:3

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-SKODA-PETROL-VARIABLE-INTAKE-MANIFOLD-06J133201AS-/381238613094?hash=item58c3979466:m:m5D3wFgZjWiaOuduIdTFSHg for the 2.0 tsi vRS.

P2015 is for the inlet flap motor, flaps that stick or the sensor. If you're going to take off the IM and don't want to splash out £300 on a new one, give it a good degrease and fit a new sensor on the end. I bought a new IM but found the old one was just crudded up AND the sensor was faulty. I also checked out the actuator but that was fine. Ebay sell an OEM replacement sensor but you can only get at it if you first remove the IM. A 5 minute job on top of the hours to do the IM and decoking. No guarantees but worth a punt? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221582941911?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&clk_rvr_id=910496201114&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

I have an As-620 from icebox auto and I'm running iGO Primo from a micro-SD card. It runs perfectly and there are no software issues. The AS-620 is purpose-made to fit into the Octy II instead of the Bolero without trim changes. Functionally it's virtually identical to the ANS-810 Dread has.

Eddy, Yes, I have good experience. I've got the Audiosources AS-620 unit, bought through iceboxauto's web site (cheaper than through ebay): http://www.iceboxauto.com/vw-octavia-2007-2013-7-as610 It replaces the Bolero and provides an awful lot for less than £230: Radio is fine but only uses one on the two car aerials (but solved by buying a dual fakra converter for £5 @ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181754128739 ) Plays music CDs, DVD movies micro-SD card and separate USB cable for iPhone for playing music and video files. The music player does album art and has a proper random play, unlike the Bolero. micro-SD for WinCE sat nav comes with older version of iGO 8 software but easy to replace with latest iGO Primo + speedcams and maps (excellent if you turn off a few memory-hogging features) Bluetooth phone app is basic but useable. It works ok for making/receiving calls with all handsets but only properly downloads Contacts on Android and (I think) iPhone models. Contacts from my Blackberry don't display correctly. Bluetooth streaming for music is very basic. Canbus integration shows all the doors/boot/aircon/hand brake etc status info as per Bolero. Integrates with my front and rear parking sensors alongside reversing camera (I bought a replacement for my boot lock incorporating camera) Built in OBD screen for basic monitoring. Build quality and fit are perfect - as good as Bolero. Good warranty and UK support from Liverpool. Though I haven't used them, it also includes extra phono inputs/outputs and pre-amp outputs. You can buy DVB-T if TV is wanted. Overall, I'm very pleased with it.

I've had MTEC front and back grooved & dimpled discs with the coating for a couple of years now - bought for looks, not performance, but they stop really well in the dry and wet. The hubs and internal vents haven't rusted. The coating obviously wears off where the pads rub almost immediately ... and afterwards the discs readily rust there when washed, just like normal discs. I have a little rust staining either side of the pad area as well but nothing like I've seen on previous discs. I don't get ANY noise from either set of brakes using standard Pagid pads. However, it's easy to fit the discs the wrong way so that the spiral pattern is opposite rotation direction so follow the directions carefully (I didn't and it was noisy for 5 minutes on my test run until I realised and swapped the discs round)! Also need to put copper grease on the back of the pads (never on the friction material) to prevent chatter.

Based on Nikonite's experience I reckon he has exactly the same camera as the one I bought, but cheaper still! I finished running the wiring to the head unit and it works perfectly.

I've just got this cheap boot lock camera and started fitting it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Trunk-Handle-Camera-for-Skoda-Octavia-Fabia-Auto-Reverse-Rearview-Backup-Cam/181778313454?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30773%26meid%3D710efd7906ea4a08ac0ef2418b4841be%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D181744984851 It looks identical to the Media Exponent one but it's around half the price. It's a good physical fit and the lock release works fine, though I had to change the 2 pin wiring plug in the boot as the pins are a different pitch and shape - I used half a plug from an old floppy disc power supply. I also needed to make a spacer for inside the boot as the two nuts wouldn't compress the rubber seal enough. However, both jobs took less than 30 minutes. I haven't had time to run the wiring to my Audiosources AS-620 head unit yet.

Mine did this as well. I tried velcro and silicone grease and they worked for a few days ... but the only solution that permanently worked for me (over 3 years with no squeaks now) was to insert fibre washers between the plastics wherever they were attached with screws, and to make sure that the screws were fully tightened up. The squeaks were due to the plastics rubbing together.

I changed the manifold + injector seals on my 2010 vRS as well and posted a few before and after photos: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-VW-VOLKSWAGEN-PETROL-VARIABLE-INTAKE-MANIFOLD-06J133201AS-/321325815096?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ad082d538 http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/346533-new-tsi-intake-manifold-and-decoke/ After decoking, I have really noticed an improvement in mpg and it's smoother accelerating. After I'd renewed it I cleaned the old one in a degreasing bath but couldn't find anything wrong with it except for the gunk and the positioner switch itself. I've since bought a new switch from fleabay as a future spare. It can be changed in situ with just two screws: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221582941911?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT At £15 to change it's worth a try before doing the more expensive job.

Yes, mine was a Bolero. The climate control controls display every time I tweak a setting and even when the fan auto modulates, ie. speeds up or slows down.

I tried streaming again this morning and it still works but does not display track name or give a folder listing on the HU, just follows whatever was setup on the phone's media player. However, as the HU takes a micro-SD card and USB pen drive or USB hard disc, I don't need bluetooth streaming as I have many gigabytes of music in the unit . Folder and track selection, repeat/random play and album artwork work well for these.

I hadn't until you asked so I just nipped out to the car and tried it out. Worked fine from Bernard Cribbins "hole in the ground" as MP3, size 4MB @ 360 KB/sec.

Guys, on the Audiosources AS-620 I recently fitted in my FL vRS, I can't fault much. In my opinion: Quality/finish exactly matches the dash, right down to shape, green back-lighting and even fonts. Impossible to tell it apart from OEM. No need for extra cables or trim changes. I find the menu structure logical. Radio/media playing/bluetooth/canbus integration are all perfect. Has an OBD info screen which connecs via canbus. Plays music CDs and movie DVDs. Touch screen works well (if you have fat fingers, use a stylus instead - very accurate). Screen is very bright. Sound quality is excellent. (but need to play around with equaliser/bass for this). Satnav is brilliant. It runs IGO Primo off a micro-SD card. Any WinCE gps software can work instead. I have latest maps, speedcams and POIs. It is very smooth (immediate route recalcs, no freezes) and has more configurable features than the high-spec Garmin I replaced. Bluetooth phone calls are fine but a bit quiet. The microphone is built into the left of the HU rather than the right but turning up the volume knob sorts it. The only thing I haven't resolved is that the HU only seems to download the numbers in my Blackberry Z10 mobile phone contacts, not the names. I haven't yet wired in a reversing camera or dash cam so can't comment but it supports them out of the box. Mine is so good for just £229 that I've already recommended it to mates at work. An increase in RAM + years of ironing out bugs in the previous ANS models means it is well specced and (so far) reliable. No way is it cheap looking, just good value. Be aware though that Iceboxauto buy them in direct from Hong Kong so it does take a couple of weeks for delivery. However, they check them out in Liverpool before shipping them to you, so it should be fine. http://www.iceboxauto.com/vw-octavia-2007-2013-7-as610 Cheers, Riz.

I did it myself with a Plastidip spray can 3 years ago and there has been no issue whatsoever ... and you can peel it off if you don't like it.

Thanks Dread, I've also joined the forums at: http://www.gpspower.net/igo-gps-system.html As well as guides, there are many useful downloads. :sun:

I've just fitted the AS620 (slightly updated version of ANS620) and it looks and works great. Did you manage to find any internet links/forums explaining about changing voices or any other possible tweaks (e.g. installing other software) ?

If you want to spruce it up a little more, you could buy a new insert with the vRS logo on it for 13 Euros: 6 speed: http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/OCTAVIA-II/Octavia-II-04-12-shift-knob-plate-in-RS-design-6M 5 speed: http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/OCTAVIA-II/Octavia-II-04-12-shift-knob-plate-in-RS-design-5M