Hello everyone. First time poster, long time lurker.

I've just bought an 08 Fabia 3 Estate, from a Skoda dealership. So far things are going pretty well with it, aside some issues with the Maxidot (missing radio/gear info, and a line of dots missing- any ideas?)

The reason I'm posting here is for a bit of consumer advice really. The car was sold as having "iPod preparation" in the advert. I was expecting a dock connector cable to the headunit to provide charging, track info on the maxidot, and obviously audio playback, however all I have is the standard AUX jack. Knowing that Skoda do MDI cables etc, I felt a bit cheated just to have the standard AUX.

I wanted to confirm iPod preparation was an option on the 08 model, with the Dance HU. Even if not, I think I'm within my rights to something under SOGA as I feel the car was mis-described in the advert. iPods and MP3 players are different things. If they choose to use the iPod trademark, I would expect the cable over a standard AUX in.

I'm meeting with the dealer on Friday to arrange something, and to maybe buy a boot liner and a service package.

Where do you think I stand?

Cheers

i think you'll struggle to be fair, you can plug your ipod in so it is ipod ready, maybe you could negotiate a discounted lead if you are unhappy?

when you looked at the car before you boughtit did the demo car have an ipod dock?

my aygo was billed as ipod ready and has a simple aux in, maybe "compatible" and "fully fitted all singing all dancing charging the works" are 2 different things? who knows with vag?

I think all manufacturers are using vague terms re iPod ready when what they "should" say is will play music from iPod. It is only when you read the small print you actually find out. Although strictly speaking they are not breaking any law the manufacturers are certainly "blurring" the truth

iPod Ready is the term Skoda use for their AUX socket, as it is with a lot of manufacturers. Full functionality is obtained via MDI and they are two totally different things, MDI is an option whereas the AUX socket is I believe standard across the range.

I would not expect MDI on an 08 car since it has only recently become an option.

Technically its not been mis-sold as you can indeed connect your iPod (and any other mp3 player /device with 3.5mm socket for that matter) to your head unit.

No, it's not been misold as others have said, there are after market options (DiCE / Dension etc) that can give you full iPod control and charging but the Aux in is what they are referring to as MP3 / iPod ready.

It could be worse, you could have a Toyota, spend £200 on the official Factory iPod kit to find out that whilst it charges the ipod, you can't control it other than have it mimic a CD Changer .....

Well I spoke to the dealer. Sales guy wasn't sure of the difference, and highlighted that it's standard practise to call it iPod preparation, as that is what is on the system. Spoke to the tech, and he seemed to agree with me that it could be misleading because Dennison units were fitted in the pre facelift/MDI cars.

They weren't able to order any Dennison units, but reading about some of the limitations and quality issues, I decided to let it slide. I did manage to haggle a free boot liner while I was there, so I left the situation happy.

They also fixed my maxi-dot radio display problem (Standard IT practise - disconnect and re-connect the battery if anyone is interested!)

Thanks for your views. I wonder what Apple's take on all this is. I know they can get very picky if their brand name is misused.

Thanks for your views. I wonder what Apple's take on all this is. I know they can get very picky if their brand name is misused.

lol

youve never been to apple for a repair/ replacement have you?? as long as it ends with your money in steve jobs' pocket apple dont care

Well I spoke to the dealer. Sales guy wasn't sure of the difference, and highlighted that it's standard practise to call it iPod preparation, as that is what is on the system. Spoke to the tech, and he seemed to agree with me that it could be misleading because Dennison units were fitted in the pre facelift/MDI cars.

They weren't able to order any Dennison units, but reading about some of the limitations and quality issues, I decided to let it slide. I did manage to haggle a free boot liner while I was there, so I left the situation happy.

They also fixed my maxi-dot radio display problem (Standard IT practise - disconnect and re-connect the battery if anyone is interested!)

Thanks for your views. I wonder what Apple's take on all this is. I know they can get very picky if their brand name is misused.

Hi i am said tech you are referring to, I would like to clarify I have Fitted Dension units in the past, they were not fitted in pre facelift fabias, unless asked for by the customer. They are now not supplied by Skoda UK. To be honest i was never very happy with them anyway, I had one in my Demo but removed and used the AUX socket instead. The AUX socket is all the pre facelift Fabia was ever fitted with, MDI has only been available on the facelifted Fabia.

Edited 12 July, 201115 yr by Andymod

Thanks for your views. I wonder what Apple's take on all this is. I know they can get very picky if their brand name is misused.

lol

youve never been to apple for a repair/ replacement have you?? as long as it ends with your money in steve jobs' pocket apple dont care

Actually, I have. I'm the network manager at a rather large school with many Apple devices.

Apple are known to be very protective of their trademarks and branding. If MP3 players made by other manufacturer's are seen as iPods by the general public, then Apple are looking at a potential lost sale. Any business wouldn't be happy with that.

Hi i am said tech you are referring to, I would like to clarify I have Fitted Dension units in the past, they were not fitted in pre facelift fabias, unless asked for by the customer. They are now not supplied by Skoda UK. To be honest i was never very happy with them anyway, I had one in my Demo but removed and used the AUX socket instead. The AUX socket is all the pre facelift Fabia was ever fitted with, MDI has only been available on the facelifted Fabia.

Thanks Andy, sorry, I should have been more clear. Dension units were not standard pre facelift, as you've described, only an option, which is now obsolete.

Thanks for your help the other day and for the clarification on here. It's good to see technicians getting involved on the forums.

Actually, I have. I'm the network manager at a rather large school with many Apple devices.

Apple are known to be very protective of their trademarks and branding. If MP3 players made by other manufacturer's are seen as iPods by the general public, then Apple are looking at a potential lost sale. Any business wouldn't be happy with that.

Thanks Andy, sorry, I should have been more clear. Dension units were not standard pre facelift, as you've described, only an option, which is now obsolete.

Thanks for your help the other day and for the clarification on here. It's good to see technicians getting involved on the forums.

No Problem mate hope i helped. If you have any more probs give me a call or PM me