Can anybody tell me how easy it is to upgrade the spec of a clasic Octavia estate. It is on an 07 plate but is the old shape which is a bit confusing. (how does this happen?)

What I am after is to add things like:-

1) Trip computer that tells you the temp and mpg etc.

2) rear speakers

3) CD changer. The head unit will take one I have checked.

4) This is a big ask but can air con be added as a retro fit?

The first three I was hoping that the wiring might be already installed and that it is quite straight forward.

Any help would be appreciated.

1) I think you'd need a new instrument cluster, possibly a new convenience ECU, and frankly mpg and average speed readouts aren't that much fun. I normally leave it in Time mode, let it switch to Ambient Temp mode when it's cold, and occasionally check Available Range mode.

2) Fairly easy.

3) Absolute snap if you have a Skoda Symphony head and use a Skoda stacker.

4) This will cost. You may actually need a new block, if a different casting was used for the compressor mounting lugs.

As to how your car came to be a mk1 in 2007, the mk1 was continued in production for the taxi/minicab market (and for non EU markets) after the mk2 was introduced.

Thanks for your help.

On the speakers / cd changer. Would all the wiring be in place already or would I need to run the wiring from the front of the car all the way to the back. Do you have to buy these things form Skoda or are there cheaper ways of getting the parts

The air con and electronic display sound like too much hassle.

Thanks again.

the wiring should be there already for the speakers, as for the cd changer, no, you'll have to run it down one side of the car under the carpets. all the parts can be bought second hand from ebay or breakers, don't pay dealer prices! not sure about instrument panel, but air con, as ken suggests, will be expensive and a massive job it'd be far easier and cheaper to actually buy a new car with it fitted. there may be after market kits available, not sure, but for the 3 days a year you'll actually use it seems pointless!!

Ok, I've got an Elegance, with standard climate control, but I reckon I use the air con every day unless the ambient temperature is below 5C. Part of the reason for this is that air con doesn't just chill the air; it also dries it a bit, so it's useful as a dehumidification system.

Ok, I've got an Elegance, with standard climate control, but I reckon I use the air con every day unless the ambient temperature is below 5C. Part of the reason for this is that air con doesn't just chill the air; it also dries it a bit, so it's useful as a dehumidification system.

Agreed - especially here in NZ with the more humid climate