Has anyone bought that MDI and installed it to Superb with Bolero ? I asked my skoda-dealer about that MDI and they said that it will take some time before they can deliver it to be installed afterwards. Simply befauce it`s not available yet for Superb, but for Octavia face-lift.

But : I COULD buy it from the local VW-store. Is it the same device, for sure ? And does it include USB-adapter (I know it doesn`t include iPod-adapter, but that USB would be important. And the vw-dealer didn`t know if that USB -cable is included, simply because they haven`t sold any MDI:s separately yet...)

And how big SDHC-cards have you tried ? 8GB works very well....

I'm about to do this with my Columbus unit, but there is still a problem with parts availability in the UK.

I'm planning to get the following parts from my VW dealer:

5N0 057 342 - MDI interface cable

000051446B - MDI -> USB cable

The MDI interface cable is a much smaller unit, and does not come with all of the plastic casing for mounting in the centre armrest (this is only useful for Golfs anyway). This cable can easily be routed into the Superb glovebox, and the USB cable then plugs into this.

Right now, the MDI interface cable is available to buy at a price of £120 + VAT. However, the USB cable is still not available, and just shows as 'awaiting bulletin' in the parts ordering system.

As for SD cards, then the biggest card supported is currently 2GB. Sadly, the Bolero and Columbus don't appear to support SHDC. I've also tried a Transcend 4GB non-SDHC card, and this didn't work either.

Hope this helps,

Bagpuss.

Maybe there is a difference beween columbus and bolero, because one owner tried Transcend 16Gb SDHC-card in bolero and it works !! And I tried a 8 GB Sandisk SDHC card with bolero and it worked too.

£120 for a piece of hardware that really should be fitted as standard?

I'll put up with the time to copy the dvd's I want on manually thank's. Besides, Bucks Fizz greatest hits shouldn't take too long to transfer!

2slo

i think for the majority of people the columbus unit is more than adequate. its way better than what you get as standard in other cars. you cant get a hard drive music player in an Audi yet i dont think. you have to spend nearly 2k onthe sat nav an 500 on the audi music interface.

i am looking forward to stepping from a trailing 3,5mm lead and a seperate MP3 player to the all enclosed columbus. i suspect MDI will be very much a niche product

Maybe there is a difference beween columbus and bolero, because one owner tried Transcend 16Gb SDHC-card in bolero and it works !! And I tried a 8 GB Sandisk SDHC card with bolero and it worked too.

I've got the manual for the Bolero unit here, and it does say that 2GB is the biggest card size that it will read.

However, I've always maintained that there is no technical reason why both the Bolero and the Columbus shouldn't read SDHC cards. All it would take is an updated firmware that understands the new sector addressing scheme that SDHC uses.

I wonder if there are any SE owners on here who could try a large SDHC card? Any volunteers?

Bagpuss.

Just tried a 2GB SD, 4GB SHDC and 8GB SDHC in my Columbus and only the 2GB card worked. The others resulted in an error box, telling me to check the SD card.

I'd really like to get some confirmation that UK Bolero units will read SDHC cards. If they do, then I'll be lobbying very hard to have the same functionality added to the Columbus.

Bagpuss.

Just got some more confirmation of this. My mates new Scirocco has the RCD510 (VW equivalent of the Bolero) and it does read SDHC cards. It seems all MY09 VWs that have the RCD510 get SDHC compatibility. I guess the Superb must be the same.

That's so annoying. If I could use 16 and 32GB SD cards in my Columbus, I wouldn't be bothered with getting the MDI interface. In addition, I've just downloaded the latest Czech manual for the Bolero, and it has full documentation for MDI in it. I guess this will be a factory option very soon.

Bagpuss.

My dealer just said that tehy have no info when that MDI will be available for Superb as a standard....

And the Bolero-car that I tried was one of the first ones that came here in Finland in August, I think. So maybe it already has the latest software in it.

I`m mostly interested in using my new iPod classic 120 GB, so if I decide to buy that MDI, then that USB-cabel is not even necessary because those bigger cards seem to work. But that MDI costs about 230 € from the vw-dealer, and they told me that the iPod-adapter costs almost 200 more...:(

Excuse me for interrupting......but what is MDI:confuse:?

Jeez, I must be getting really old, I feel like that guy out of the not the nine o'clock news sketch; see here

YouTube - Not the Nine O'Clock News Gramophone Sketch

Dan

Excuse me for interrupting......but what is MDI:confuse:?

Jeez, I must be getting really old, I feel like that guy out of the not the nine o'clock news sketch; see here

YouTube - Not the Nine O'Clock News Gramophone Sketch

Dan

Hi Dan,

I've always loved that sketch, but I don't think it's appropriate here. Most VAG dealers haven't got a clue what it is either. In fact, the master technician at my local VW dealer was completely at a loss too, until I gave him the part numbers.

MDI is the Media Device Interface, and it's been part of the VAG parts bin for about the last 6-8 months.

Basically, all of the new touchscreen headunits from both VW, SEAT and Skoda (think Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus) have software which can drive a standard AUX in, USB or iPod connection. MDI makes the physical conection possible.

You get a special cable (used to be quite a large interface) which plugs into the back of the head unit which terminates in a multi-pin connector. Depending on what kind of input you want, you then buy either the AUX in, USB or iPod lead. You can buy all three if you want, but you can only use one at a time.

For the iPod, this results in full touchscreen control, which is a big bonus.

Skoda could have fitted this interface to the Superb from the beginning, but chose not to. It actually looks like it will first be available on the new Octy.

Hope that helps,

Bagpuss.

Edited 8 November, 200817 yr by Bagpuss

That's so annoying. If I could use .

ooooo stop your moaning - at least you have a car to play around with !!!

ooooo stop your moaning - at least you have a car to play around with !!!

You can bl**dy talk

Every other post I read is about your delayed car :P

I'm like any gadget freak, I get annoyed when someone has a better toy than me

Bagpuss.

The plot thickens.......

The new Bolero unit also seems to support both Ogg and AAC files in addition to WMA and MP3. However, the new Columbus manual makes no mention of either.

Maybe these features are only available on cars destined for mainland Europe?

James, can you try any of this out on your SE?

It seems odd that these features would be missing from the flagship unit. It almost makes me wish I could have chosen the Bolero for my Elegance.

Bagpuss.

kufatec.com

and there type 36219 into the "search" area. Is that the same device ? I think that it`s that more expensive one, with covers...

But it says there that USB is included...

And I also visited that VW zubehor-site (google it yourselves...) and there the price for that device is 159 euros and about 35 for the iPod-adapter, but I don`t know if they deliver outside germany....

Damn, this thing is too difficult for me. :orb_bonk:

Now I`ll go to the SAUNA and have a few beers, maybe it will help....

The Kufatec kit includes the older MDI interface, which is designed to mount in the centre armrest. It's quite a bit more expensive than the newer cable only interface.

Currently though, the Kufatec version is the only one that's easily available. You can take the MDI control module out of the armrest mount, which does make it a bit smaller, but it's nowhere near as neat at the newer part.

I'm currently waiting on word from Skoda UK about official MDI availability. If it's going to happen soon, then I might wait until I can order the official Skoda kit for the Superb.

I'll let you know when I hear anything new.

Bagpuss.

The Kufatec kit includes the older MDI interface, which is designed to mount in the centre armrest. It's quite a bit more expensive than the newer cable only interface.

Currently though, the Kufatec version is the only one that's easily available. You can take the MDI control module out of the armrest mount, which does make it a bit smaller, but it's nowhere near as neat at the newer part.

I'm currently waiting on word from Skoda UK about official MDI availability. If it's going to happen soon, then I might wait until I can order the official Skoda kit for the Superb.

I'll let you know when I hear anything new.

Bagpuss.

I ordered my kit from the finnish firm called slamit. It`s specialilized in delivering original VAG-parts. Around 250 € including that iPod-adapter. I won`buy that USB-adapter, because the big memorycard works...

And in 3 weeks I will know if there`s any truth in those rumours that production of some Superbs will be delayed...:eek:

That runmour about delays i have been getting delayed since week 36 at least i know the car has reverse gear as it appears to be going backwards down the production line.

That runmour about delays i have been getting delayed since week 36 at least i know the car has reverse gear as it appears to be going backwards down the production line.

:rofl:

Do you know jcb i almost agree with you its such a disgrace its laughable, i am now told that due to my order getting delayed with the sunroof that it has now fallen into the clutches of the delay with the DSG gear box i really dont expect to see it before well into next year that will be heading for 7 MONTHS this i thinkwill be my last VAG group car:thumbdwn::thumbdwn::thumbdwn:

bloody hell !!

i wil stop moaning about my delay. ordered 9th oct. due jan. suddenly doesnt seam so bad !!

lol I agree lol a friend of mine ordered a special build from BMW and 2 weeks after ordering he was driving the dam thing lol now thats build service not this apology for it..

What is your exact spec you have ordered.?

Are you from Linc if so where i originate from Grimsby (Up the mariners)

SNOB

ordered 1.8TSi DSG in satin grey with ivory leather and black carpets. extras are:

rear side sunblinds

flappy paddles and 3 spoke wheel

heated washer jets

auto dim rear view

park assist

matts

hill hold

rear side airbags

upgraded sound system

twindoor spoiler

17" alloys

i live in a small village on the outskirts of Lincoln but am a yorkshire man by birth !

must be lucky got mine with dsg and sunroof last week - absolutely love it

hope you both get yours soon

I'm about to do this with my Columbus unit, but there is still a problem with parts availability in the UK.

I'm planning to get the following parts from my VW dealer:

5N0 057 342 - MDI interface cable

000051446B - MDI -> USB cable

The MDI interface cable is a much smaller unit, and does not come with all of the plastic casing for mounting in the centre armrest (this is only useful for Golfs anyway). This cable can easily be routed into the Superb glovebox, and the USB cable then plugs into this.

Right now, the MDI interface cable is available to buy at a price of £120 + VAT. However, the USB cable is still not available, and just shows as 'awaiting bulletin' in the parts ordering system.

As for SD cards, then the biggest card supported is currently 2GB. Sadly, the Bolero and Columbus don't appear to support SHDC. I've also tried a Transcend 4GB non-SDHC card, and this didn't work either.

Hope this helps,

Bagpuss.

Now I got my stuff. That MDI-cable is connected to a little black plastic box which includes electronics, and from the little plastic box different wires go to the back of the radio. So there is a little bit of connecting wires before you can plug it to the radio. That actual MDI-cabel is not connected straight to the back of the radio. :tired: Was that unclear enough ?

The costs were 248 euros, and that USB-cabel is not included, but that price included iPod-adapter....