I wanted to change the aerial on my pre FL VRS to a stubby aerial, tried a popular stubby from ebay but as other members have posted on here the reception is useless and no TMC on my Columbus.

I noticed a number of FL Octavias with a different type of aerial, not a true stubby but not as big as my standard aerial. So went to the local Skoda dealership (Savilles in Kidderminster) and ordered one.

I was unable to fit straight to the car as can be seen in the picture below not enough of the thread was exposed to screw into the aerial base.

So I trimmed about 5 mm off the end of the aerial with a stanley knife to leave it looking like below.

So then I was able to screw into the original aerial base and the end result was as follows

I have attached another image below so you can see the different in sizes of the various aerials, top aerial is the stubby from ebay (totally useless), in the middle new FL Octavia aerial and bottom my original aerial.

The part number of the new aerial is 6R0 035 849 and it cost £11.48 exc VAT.

So far no problems unlike the stubby e-bay aerial, radio reception and TMC with the new FL aerial is as good as my original aerial. WIll update over the next few-days if there is any change in this.

Looks good and for a reasonable price too. Might have to invest.

Probably better to get "Shark fin" style antenna IMHO. A bit more costly but much more useful , especially for automatic car washes

Probably better to get "Shark fin" style antenna IMHO. A bit more costly but much more useful , especially for automatic car washes

You use car washes??!!! :no:

The aerial you have fitted is the same as the VW Polo, I have just fitted one myself and had to complete the same mod to the base, tbh the reception is still no good so the OE one is going back on.

Price wise they are on the bay for 12 quid inc delivery, so cheaper than the stealer.

I can't get my aerial off the car, it just keeps turning and turning, and won't unscrew. I have a stubby one to fit to it, which came off my C4 Coupé. Don't want to pull it incase I break something.

I can't get my aerial off the car, it just keeps turning and turning, and won't unscrew. I have a stubby one to fit to it, which came off my C4 Coupé. Don't want to pull it incase I break something.

Basically the way I did mine was to unscrew it then put it down parallel with the roof and holding the base and the aerial give it a yank.

There is a retainer on the aerial to stop them just being unscrewed but with a quick yank you should be able to get it off. (it worked for me anyway).

HTH

Johnny

The aerial you have fitted is the same as the VW Polo, I have just fitted one myself and had to complete the same mod to the base, tbh the reception is still no good so the OE one is going back on.

Price wise they are on the bay for 12 quid inc delivery, so cheaper than the stealer.

Yes, exactly the same. Good bit of VAG part sharing again then

TBH I've noticed no difference in radio reception in the time I've had the Polo fitted (to two Skodas, for nearly two years now). But of course it depends how strong the signal is where you're travelling, and what you're listening too :S

What about adding a bar type aerial to the back window, or the side in your estate's case? Might be possible to fit it out of sight, and then you could have the smallest aerial you liked on the roof! Fitted one to the MX5 I had, so I could get rid of the 30ft std one - could dig for details on it if you want.

Yes, exactly the same. Good bit of VAG part sharing again then

TBH I've noticed no difference in radio reception in the time I've had the Polo fitted (to two Skodas, for nearly two years now). But of course it depends how strong the signal is where you're travelling, and what you're listening too :S

What about adding a bar type aerial to the back window, or the side in your estate's case? Might be possible to fit it out of sight, and then you could have the smallest aerial you liked on the roof! Fitted one to the MX5 I had, so I could get rid of the 30ft std one - could dig for details on it if you want.

Excellent idea..............and much appreciated.

An avenue worth exploring.... off to dig out MX-5 info!

Probably better to get "Shark fin" style antenna IMHO. A bit more costly but much more useful , especially for automatic car washes

Hi, can you recommend anywhere to buy a 'shark fin'?

Cheers

Thought this might be worth a look , oem stubby , full aerial £7.75 inc postage!

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...821473868881969