I love my Fabia VRS but it's getting very long in the tooth and I really needed to swap it before something expensive went wrong (again!). Really wanted to go straight to the Octavia VRS but like my gadgets and couldn't get the right combination without going over budget.

So, having decided that the 140bhp of the 2.0 TDi should give me a similar drive to the Fabia VRS, I found myself an 05 plate Elegance hatchback with leather seats and reasonable mileage and I'm collecting it on Friday! Test drive put a smile on my face, so think I've done the right thing... :-)

Anyway, reason for posting is that I want to install an iPod & iPhone connection kit, plus Bluetooth hands free into the car. It's got the Stream MP3 stereo, and I'm going for one of the options that connects to the CD changer port - had a Dension ICElink Plus in the Fabia. I've seen threads on the Parrot MKi9200 and it looks like a good option, but I'm used to the sound quality of the Dension - anybody know whether there is a difference between the Parrot and one of the other options, e.g. XCarlink with Bluetooth? Probably won't go for the Dension this time round because the new version doesn't let me use the iPod buttons, only control through the head unit, and I have a lot more than 6 playlists!

Cheers, Gavin

The most common option is to upgrade the headunit to a Bolero or Columbus, then retrofit the MDI kit for iPod control. You have a lot more OEM options for this sort of stuff than you're used to on the Mk1 Fabia

Cost is obviously quite a bit more than a simple Dension IceLink type solution, but then you get far better control of your music and a more modern headunit.

Other than that, I know people who've fitted the 9200 Parrot kit and been pleased with it.

Thanks Wardy, I'll have a search on the forums for that option. I dropped into a local ICE specialist and they recommended the Parrot MKi9200 over the Dension/Connects2/XCarLink options - I want the integrated Bluetooth. I did originally want to get an Octavia with Bolero but couldn't find one in budget!

No worries. For retrofitting the modern units, just bear in mind that you may need a CAN gateway upgrade depending on the age of Octy you end up with. Again, this will be new territory coming from a Fabia Mk1 as they didn't run CANBUS

Upgraded gateway is around £70ish usually.

Bolero, £150-200, MDI kits can be had around £100. You can also add OEM Bluetooth for handsfree phone calling if you wish as well. There's a fair few versions of the Bluetooth kit available - usually £150-250 dependant on features.

Depends how far you want to go really....