I didn't order MDI with my car (i can't remember what the reason was) but i found SD cards not to fit with my way of working (itunes for podcasts) so i decided to retrofit MDI with OEM parts.

Parts

Essentials --

MDI unit: 5N0 035 342 B - £150.61

fly lead holder trim: 4F0 035 909 - £1.55

Fly lead: 1Z0 971 199 - £58.24

iPod to MDI lead: AZO 800 001 - £22.13

Optionals --

To do a full OEM retrofit, you will need to order the MDI + Aircon + Light glovebox which i decided against, instead i just cut a hole in my existing glovebox and fitted the Skoda fly lead trim there, no part number i'm afraid, or price for the glovebox.

Mounting bracket for right hand drive: 1Z2 035 643 - £3.78 - waste of time if you ask me

Prices exclude VAT.

This parts list doesn't cover the wire from MDI blackbox to the headunit wiring loom. Unfortunately Skoda don't have a part number which covers this lead. You have 2 options, make your own from component parts (you order up the individual wires and they click together into the plug / housings easily) or you buy the Kufatec MDI in lead.

My local dealer's parts department aren't too hot despite my best efforts so i gave in and ordered the Kufatec lead from Richter Sport (uk distributer) for £43-ish delivered. I already had retrofitted a Fiscon BT handsfree which came with another kufatec loom so i have Factory loom -> kufatec MDI loom -> kufatec fiscon basic plus loom -> bolero head unit in a daisy chain, it works fine.

The essentials list, including the kufatec lead, can frequently be sourced via ebay.de for a bit cheaper, i would strongly suggest this route rather than buying from your dealer.

Procedure

Remove the 3x torx screws from the inside roof (at the front edge) of the glovebox.

Remove the 2x torx screws from the outside under the glovebox in the footwell area.

Remove the 1x torx screw from the passenger door side of the glovebox unit, behind the dashboard side trim which pops off from near the bottom

Drop the glovebox out from the dashboard by pushing against the front edge of the unit, it will easily dislodge then freely drop down until it is hanging on the wires connected to it if you don't catch it.

Disconnect the glovebox light connector plug (shortest wire) by squeezing the two lugs either side, see pics below for reference.

Disconnect the airbag switch connector from its location.

Remove the top air vent unit, there was no need to remove the Bolero in my case because the Factory loom -> Fiscon bluetooth loom joint was accessible from behind the top vent. You can see where the connections are in the pictures below, i use an old credit card type thing for popping this off.

Push the hazard switch fore out of the vent unit, then disconnect the wiring connector from behind to allow you to lift the vent unit away from the dash.

With the glovebox only connected by the (long) A/C pipe, i marked out and cut out the hole for the fly lead trim, here is a pic of mid way progress.

The fly lead trim presses in from the inside of the glovebox, the fly lead then presses into the trim from the outside. Simple, but effective, i like it.

I routed the MDI loom behind the glovebox, well out of the road of the passenger airbag. I then got sloppy and just taped the MDI unit to the dashboard assembly in some free space at the passenger door end. Not sure where the official metal mount should be cited, couldn't be bothered looking up ELSAwin to figure out either so just taped it here...

Then i re-assembled everything, only tricky bit was the airbag switch connector, i had to remove the 2 screws which hold the trim inside the glovebox for the switch, this allowed the switch to come free for easy reconnecting of the connector.

Buttoned it all back up and then it looked like this.

I didn't check how long it took but at a guess i think it was around an hour in total including hoovering up all the plastic shavings There's nothing difficult in this procedure and nothing to catch you out.

You may have to remove your headunit where i haven't because i routed my fiscon bluetooth loom to accomodate this future upgrade at the time.

Hope this is useful.

Edited 12 January, 201115 yr by Mute

Just been reminded of this guide by your post in an associated thread. Very useful for people.

One thing - you could list the part number or a bit more info on the Kufatec loom. Just so it hopefully cuts down on the number of questions asked

Cheers,

Steve

Aye sure Steve, it's difficult to get a direct link, Richter Sports don't list the part online but if you call them they know straight away what i was after. It's just the coiled up loom in the top right of the picture on this page http://kufatec.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=846

I'd definitely recommend going for one of the all in one kits off ebay, the VAG MDI unit and the Kufatec loom. They're normally listed as retrofits for VW Golfs.

Hi Craig,

Can you have a look at the link below and tell me if it includes everything I would need:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370457238227&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks!

oobster

Hi Craig,

Can you have a look at the link below and tell me if it includes everything I would need:

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks!

oobster

Thats the kit I am planning to buy to fit into my Superb, yes its everything you need to get ipod connectivity.

Aye that'll work. The only difference i can see is that VW version has the wee MDI box clipped into a bigger black plastic unit. I'm pretty sure that's designed to go inside the arm rest - which if you ask me is 100x better place for the ipod, dead easy to reach, compared to the skoda version which is in the glovebox.

Because that's coming with the arm rest trim, it doesn't need or come with the fly lead and fly lead trim for the glovebox, which is or is not an issue depending on where you were planning putting the MDI.

If i bought that kit, i think i would drill a hole at the top inside the "ashtray" in front of the gear stick, and feed the ipod cable through the hole (from high up in there so nothing popped in the "ashtray" falls through the hole), and site the MDI in the acres of empty space immediately behind the ashtray. Makes an easy run to the back of the stereo too. I'm just thinking i don't think i'd want to remove the air conditioned box under the arm rest to replace with the VW trim which leaves less space i think.

Thanks for the reply Craig

You said in your original post at the start of the thread "This parts list doesn't cover the wire from MDI blackbox to the headunit wiring loom. Unfortunately Skoda don't have a part number which covers this lead. You have 2 options, make your own from component parts (you order up the individual wires and they click together into the plug / housings easily) or you buy the Kufatec MDI in lead."

Does the kit from ebay that I linked to above include this lead (perhaps the chunky-looking assembly with the big square plugs at either end) and if so do you think it would be long enough to reach into the armrest?

Yeah thats the loom with the chunky connector in the pic

The lead that splits off that loom to go to the MDI is pretty long once you un-coil it all. I think it should be long enough to reach the arm rest and still have a wee bit of slack left in it. Mines is routed from the Bolero, inside the dashboard, under the air bag and the spare coiled up just inside the flap at the passenger door side.

Yeah thats the loom with the chunky connector in the pic

The lead that splits off that loom to go to the MDI is pretty long once you un-coil it all. I think it should be long enough to reach the arm rest and still have a wee bit of slack left in it. Mines is routed from the Bolero, inside the dashboard, under the air bag and the spare coiled up just inside the flap at the passenger door side.

Sorry Craig, new to all this Skoda malarky and you've confused me!

"The lead that splits off that loom" - which lead? If I buy that kit from my ebay link does the chunky coiled loom go into the back of the Bolero at one end and into the MDI unit at the other, then the MDI lead goes from the MDI unit into the iPod?

What I am trying to get at is your original post said your parts list didn't include the wire from the MDi blackbox to the head unit wiring loom, but is the picture of the coiled black-and-white-striped loom with the two laqrge square connectors at the ends the wire that goes from the MDI blackbox to the head unit wiring loom?

i.e. If I purchase the kit from eBay will it give me EVERYTHING to get MDI working - or will my local car stereo installer phone me up after i've dropped the car off and say "there is a bit missing".

Again, sorry if I being a bit thick but your comment about the lead that splits off that loom has got me confused again!

Haha sorry dude. That pic on ebay doesn't show the cable clearly, just shows a wire coiled up, but the cable is has 2 parts, shorter big chunky loom and long thinner fly lead. Just looks like one cable in the pic but it's 2 parts in real life. Mine came packaged the same way but it's obvious when you see it that its in two parts.

That cable is the missing headunit <--> MDI lead.

Hope this helps! You're not a million miles away from me and i'll need to remove mine when i change my car in April, but if you're still looking then i'd be happy to show you.

EDIT: no your installer wont call you up for a bit missing, it's got everything needed

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by Mute

Your a star. I work up in Bellshill so I might give you a shout once I get the car and if you are available maybe meet up for a wee look?

Picking up my new (well new to me) Skoda on Monday so I ordered the kit from the above eBay link this afternoon.

Probably be bombarding this thread next week with questions! (or hopefully a statement to say how easy it all was!)

Guys, bought the kit from the eBay link above and my local car audio intsaller (MRD in Bathgate) fitted it for me this afternoon in under an hour. Just wasn't confident pulliing the stereo etc out myelf so decided to pay to get it done - that way if they broke anything they would pay for it!

I seen what you meant about the loom though Craig.

Guys, bought the kit from the eBay link above and my local car audio intsaller (MRD in Bathgate) fitted it for me this afternoon in under an hour. Just wasn't confident pulliing the stereo etc out myelf so decided to pay to get it done - that way if they broke anything they would pay for it!

I seen what you meant about the loom though Craig.

Any pictures of it installed please?

Hi Craig

Thanks for all of this info. I've just ordered and received a retrofit kit as per the link in your thread. The only part of the install that is not clear is how the fly lead works in the glove box - any chance of a pic of the fly lead trim and fly lead install.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Craig

Thanks for all of this info. I've just ordered and received a retrofit kit as per the link in your thread. The only part of the install that is not clear is how the fly lead works in the glove box - any chance of a pic of the fly lead trim and fly lead install.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave, just in from work so i nipped out to get a photo, there's not much to see from the glovebox side, i tried to pull the trim out but there's barbs on it hold it securely from the other side of the glovebox. Its raining and i gave in I'll be removing it from this car on Saturday anyway in prep for this one being traded in, so will post up a pic.

I'm going to be mounting the mdi in a different location in my new car, so i wont need this. If you want it, you've first refusal on it, just send me a stamped addressed envelope, A5 sized should do it. PM me for address.

If you decide you don't need it, then the offer stands for anyone else that might want it. May as well go to someone who's going to use it.

Hi Craig

I'll take it, thanks v much. Will PM you.

Dave

Hi Dave, just in from work so i nipped out to get a photo, there's not much to see from the glovebox side, i tried to pull the trim out but there's barbs on it hold it securely from the other side of the glovebox. Its raining and i gave in I'll be removing it from this car on Saturday anyway in prep for this one being traded in, so will post up a pic.

I'm going to be mounting the mdi in a different location in my new car, so i wont need this. If you want it, you've first refusal on it, just send me a stamped addressed envelope, A5 sized should do it. PM me for address.

If you decide you don't need it, then the offer stands for anyone else that might want it. May as well go to someone who's going to use it.

Hi Dave, no problem, have got your PM will get your address then mail it off to you on Monday.

Here's the pictures promised.

Fly lead trim:

Just for completeness, here is the full Skoda kit. Note the VW Golf kit is slightly different in that it does away with the fly lead and fly lead trim, replacing both with trim which houses the mdi box and the whole trim / unit replaces whats inside your armrest.

Apologies for the crap photos. Main PC is stuffed just now and can't be bothered installing stuff to make my camera work on the laptop

Just discovered that mine aint got MDI and will be retro fitting this once i can get my hands on one as will miss the ipod control i have on my leon now. Think il be keeping an eye out in the breakers for one and should be able to get it pretty cheap

Will keep an eye out for you. Likewise, give me a shout if you do find some breakers parts, as I still need the loom for mine :yes:

Hi,

And greetings from finland from a new member...

I'm waiting to have my Octavia RS 2010 model I just bought and it does not have MDI installed so i'm also plannig to install it.

My octavia has the basic Swing radio and AUX In connector in the hand rest middle of the front seats.

Now I'm wondering if this installation kit which has come up in this topic (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370457238227&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

will fit into my handrest and will it work with Swing radio?

I'm little bit new with these things so my apologies for possible stupid questions

Thank You in advance!!

How about this one?

http://www.oemvag.es/retro-fit-media-in-for-octavia-p-806.html?language=en

Bit expensive though...

Hey guys,

Is this the kit I need for my FL Octavia vRS? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-MDI-ipod-media-glovebox-kit-mk5-mk6-golf-/280749692329?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item415dfc55a9

Cheers.

Yeah that's the one Neily and it includes everything. That's an absolutely fantastic price at £130.

Mine is still going strong, much prefer the location i used in the new car (mdi box to the right of the stereo behind the dash, connector in the carpeted "ashtray" in front of the gearlever) than the original location i used in the last car (behind glovebox with connector attached through glovebox wall).

Cheers Craig, i'll get it ordered.