I'm just about to replace my existing stream mp3 with a columbus unit and was looking for the required dash plate in brushed aluminium (manual a/c btw).

Having contacted Superskoda.com they tell me none was ever made and is available in black only, can anybody confirm/deny this?

On a related note: I currently have the standard lcd mfd (having maxidot retrofitted at the end of the month hopefully). Will I be able to use the functions of the columbus independently until such time that I can get the maxidot installed and the unit coded to it?

Many thanks in advance for any advice

Got mine from Skodaparts.com

I have no maxidot and everything works OK

Edited 17 October, 201213 yr by taxigeoff

What year is your car? I got one for my 2010 plate from my Skoda dealer - just over £50. I got the part number from a previous post on here. Can probably get it off invoice if you need it.

Sarge.

Oops. I guess the fact that it has a stream unit means it's pre facelift. Sorry.

Sarge.

Yes, pre face lift, 56 plate.

What year is your car? I got one for my 2010 plate from my Skoda dealer - just over £50. I got the part number from a previous post on here. Can probably get it off invoice if you need it.

Sarge.

HOLY MOLY! I paid £6 for mine on a pre-FL

I know - big difference from pre-facelift to FL! I was expecting it to be just a few quid and got a bit of a shock when I went to order it.

Sarge.

Didn't think there was *that* much difference, just the heating and vent controls being a different shape. IIRC the dash and aperture shapes are exactly the same.

The dealer is correct, since the Columbus /MFD2 were only ever fitted to the vRS with Dual Zone climate as out of the factory you required the upgraded interior (Jumbo Box, Maxidot, Dual Zone). You'll have to, as others have done in the past buy the black one and spray paint it silver.

The part numbers are here,

http://octavia-vrs.com/cms/content/mfd2-install-guide

as you can see, no silver with manual heater.

Ah, I see. Ok, thanks for the advice.

On a side note, how old are the prices quoted on the install guide as they seem considerably cheaper than those from superskoda.com? Would I be better just getting it fom my local Skoda dealer?

I usually ask the dealer first. It's surprising how often the difference between OEM and 3rd party comes down to a few pence, literally.

All fitted and working now

Kept the dash plate in the original black finish and, tbh, it actually looks kind of more stylish than the silver surround I personally think.

Frustratingly, I did suffer from the dreaded battery drain (was hoping to get away with it as my columbus was of a very recent firmware) but a big thankyou to Eddie-NL who got a new precoded CAN gateway to me in superfast time and at a very reasonable price too.

Glad it is all working nicely

I've joined the Skoda vrs club now