I am after some advice. Last week I collected my new Octavia Elegance 1.6tdi DSG from the dealer. When I specified the car, I requested the multifunctional steering wheel and the bluetooth option - which was on the order form. For whatever reason, and I am not looking to apportion blame, the factory did not fit either the bluetooth system or the multifunctional wheel that allows its use. I ended up with the standard multifunctional wheel, and did not realise until I got home and attempted to set up the telephone...

I have spoken with the dealer and we have come to an arrangement between ourselves. This will include the retrofitting of bluetooth to the car. The dealer has said it is not possible to retrofit the integrated bluetooth and the steering wheel that operates it. I have looked in the accessories catalogue and the only option appears to be the "blueconnect" kit. This seems to have very poor reviews on here, and the dealer has also said that it isn't the best.

What would others suggest? Is there anything on the market that doesn't result in unsightly bits of kit littered around the cabin? Is there anything that can be connected into the standard fit Bolero radio for touchscreen use, and to auto-mute the radio etc? Basicially I want something as close to a factory fit as possible, that doesn't spoil the interior styling, and gives me as close to the original functionality I was expecting...

Any thoughts/ideas gratefully received!

Talk to Ben at Shark Performance. Both the proper BT kit and wheel are able to be retrofitted. I'd get a cost from him, and then look to get compensated for that amount from the dealer.

What was the total option cost for this on the order?

Talk to Ben at Shark Performance. Both the proper BT kit and wheel are able to be retrofitted. I'd get a cost from him, and then look to get compensated for that amount from the dealer.

What was the total option cost for this on the order?

When it was specified, the MFSW with Bluetooth came out at £565. This fits with the current catalogue that shows telephone preparation at £465 and then the associated steering wheel at £110.

The dealer has offered very good compensation that will include the bluetooth fitting, it's just a case of trying to decide which one...

Only issue then is that the dealer's saying the proper kit can't be retrofitted. Which it can. It's just that there will be no official guidance, on the VAS dealer system or otherwise, to undertake this.

Therefore if you continue with the dealer, you'll end up with an effectively sub-standard Bluetooth system (by the fact it won't integrate properly) and you also won't receive the MFSW you wanted, and originally specified.

I would take the car to shark and tell the dealer/skoda they are paying for it. if not return the car under sale of goods act 1985, and also claim for any out of pocket, see how long it takes for the problem to be fixed. And send a nice e-mail to auto express, skoda will not want them envolved so soon after the awards they have just given them. you may think my approch is a bit harsh but with the amount of people that try and take me for some kind of joke these days. (remember you paid for the parts)

I've got the FISCON kit which behaves more-or-less like the stock system. To be honest it's not much cheaper than the stock one and from what I've seen of my fathers system its a bit less functional, so if you can get the stock system retrofitted then I'd say thats the path to follow.

Regards

DAVE

If you ordered it with the car I would do what Wardy says and get them to pay for Ben to fit it and the cost incurred to go there. That's one major balls up if you ask me and like someone else has said you are well within your rights to take it back

I was looking at the FISCON kit last night, but wasn't completely sure how functional it was, or how good it is.

As things stand, the dealer intends to refund the cost of the factory bluetooth kit as ordered, and then fit bluetooth for me F.O.C. but with an aftermarket system. I am quite happy with this, especially if he will fit the FISCON stuff, and if it does, as the pictures suggest, integrate with the Bolero.

I am unsure whether I would be able to persuade him to pay a third party to retrofit the MFSW and Bluetooth, and in some ways I'd rather keep everything under one roof so if anything does go wrong there's only one set of people to moan at. In any case, the error was admitted quickly, although he is unsure exactly where it occurred. As he pointed out, where the problem happened is not my concern, all he wants is for me to be happy with the resolution. The offer of the refund and the free supply and fitting is acceptable to me.

That said, would the utilisation of Shark alter my warranty in any way?

I'd be careful about an after market Bluetooth kit.

The factory system is a phone in its own right, the only thing it does not have is a SIM card. It 'grabs' this from your phone using RSAP (remote sim access profile). Under the drivers seat is the phone transmitter and receiver and there is an external aerial on the roof.

IMO the system is fantastic, it is not using your mobile phone as a transmitter inside the car which is what most BT kits would do and the poor reception this usually entails.

Having said that not all phones have RSAP, most Nokias do and the Samsung Galaxy S

From what I have read on the forum, I would get Shark to fit the the full factory kit

anyone knows if the bluetooth module will work with the swing player??

Thanks..

Get the dealer to phone shark and let him put them to shame and tell them how to fix a skoda lol.