As above really. I have a Stream in my mk2 Octy vRS at the moment with the changer in the boot. How easy (bearing in mind im not that technically minded when it comes to car electrics!), would it be to put a Bolero in? Simple unplug/plug the new one in? One add complication could be that i have PDC front and back... will this display on a Bolero?

Cheers, Dave

Straight swap. No coding should be required.

Not 100% that the PDC/OPS will display, but when I switched from Stream MP3 to Columbus it showed on both.

Yup agree with that. Straight swap (as long as you have the security code)

On my '57 Elegance the PDC didn't display, but you get used to just listening to the beeps instead

Anyway of getting the pdc (and climate) to display though? Want to retain 100% functionality if i switch...

It may work if you change to PDC controller, but it may need some rewriring. There's a thread on here from someone that's done it, but I'd check details of your PDC controller and the sensor type you have before committing any money!

IIRC it did seem a lot of faff to change the controller - it wasn't a simple plug'n'play job.

Changing the controller isn't too much of an issue (at least not in an estate), it's the potential that some rewiring from PDC controller will be needed.

And that is a lot of trim to remove!

OK but it'll still beep at me? Suppose I could live with that!

No reason why it won't still beep as that aspect is not connected to the head unit.

Yes, it should beep, as KB said, the beeping is not physically part of the head unit. (Mine worked fine with no head unit )

I have to admit, the PDC not coming up has miffed me slightly. Surely this is one of those things that CANBus was designed for? the CANBus connectors are still present on the other headunits, so (in theory) surely the headunit should be being told "we're in reverse....beeping, HVAC change, lights...." etc etc

......or is that over-simplification of CANBus' role in the car?

It has something to do with the type of sensor fitted in the bumper as well as the functionality of the PDC controller as well.

If you change the controller you may still find you have the wrong sensors fitted that won't be compatible with OPS.

However, there is a member who have made it work with rewiring and it is documented on 'My GTI' website if you want to get it working.

I understand what you're say and I did read the controller swap when it was being posted (a bloody good job he did there too!)

just seems to me to be silly to have two types of sensor and controller setup - they both do the same thing, there's still 4 across the back of the car. Surely "object by sensor 3" would be communicated through CANbus in the same way. (Not quite sure I'm getting this down properly)

In a vague essence: why make two completely different (and effectively incompatible) systems for such a simple task?

Unless......(and this could be complete bollards here)

Bolero (and Columbus?) wasn't a Pre-FL option, and the sensors changed as part of the facelift.

{That kinda makes more sense to me.....an incompatibility between the new and the old)

So (if that's true) to make it work you'd need the headunit, the rear bumper and sensors, controller, the HVAC control panel (to make the climate function appear on the headunit), the fascia to match and possibly a bit of pin-reassignment at the controller end.

I'm not sure when Bero was introduced: c.2009 I think. If so, this was when the facelift took place.

Pre-FL sensors can be made to work with some additional rewiring according to one member on here (have you seem that thread yet?)

I think you have a pre-FL Vrs from reading your OP, so you shouldn't need a new bumper as I am fairly sure that the newer sensors still fit in the sensor mounting brackets that should be fitted to your car.

An alternative would be to buy a new 'kit' from Skodateile (for example), remove your old set and fit the new one. You could then sell your old set for spares.

If you even consider that, then you might as well go down the rewiring route and DIY.

Dont forget you may need to upgrade your can bus too to avoid battery drain issues. Depends on the year of the car but more importantly the revision of your can gateway (you can find that out from a VCDS scan).

Ive just upgraded from a stream to a bolero in a 2007 L&K. PDC and climate does not display on the bolero as it did on the stream (that I expected). You need to upgrade the pdc contoller for that to work but its a lot of hassle if you ask me. Who looks at the stero when reversing anyway???? The beeps will still work.

I also had to update my can gateway to stop battery drain.

On the plus side you dont need a new trim the existing one fits round the bolero.

Mark, whats involved in upgrading the gateway? Costs etc? I don't even know what the gateway is but I still fancy a Bolero in place of my Stream.

Other question - am I right in thinking the Bolero is a 6CD built-in changer? So that makes the changer in the boot redundant? Is the Bolero iPod compatible? Just feed a cable out the back and into the glove compartment?

Changing the gateway involves obtaining a new or used one (revision L or later) and physically swapping them over then recoding the new gateway with VCDS.

Easiest way to physically swap the gateway is to remove the wiper arms, scuttle panel and wiper motor and open the access hatch just above the gateway (driver's side). So much easier than going up from the driver's footwell. (This assumes that you have an '07 or later car - otherwise the CAN Gateway is behind the glovebox and really easy to swap over.

Get it coded (15 mins max) and it's good to go.

The Bolero does have a 6 disc changer and the one in the boot will also work (giving you 12 discus to play with).

It's not iPod compatible unless you add either an Auxiliary socket or MDI. The MDI gives track listings on and iPod control from the Bolero. Auxiliary just gives a flow of music from the iPod to Bolero - no control on the HU.

Cheers. Job for the new year I think...

KPB has covered the canbus update. EddieNL on here sells them precoded at a very good price so contact him when you need one. What year is your car? If its an 07 or earlier the can should be behind/on top of the glovebox and is easy to change. Later models it's a bit more work but depending on the revision you may not need to chage it anyway.

Dont bother with the ipod or mdi lead. Just use the SD card. It will take a 32gb which should hold enough music for you

Yeh Eddie has been in touch. Going to see if i can see the gateway (what does it look like?) behind the glovebox as its a 2006 car...

It a black box about 8cm square & about 1.5cm thick. One connector with a bundle of wires.

If its behind the glovebox it will be pretty obvious.

Just popping this back up as I've got another question. I've road something about Boleros of certain ages being really dim when plugged into older mk2s. Is this true and does anyone know if there's a workaround?

Yes.

No. :( :(

I've fitted a 2012 bolero in my 2006 octy and haven't noticed an issue with the display. New gateway fitted aswell.

Just popping this back up as I've got another question. I've road something about Boleros of certain ages being really dim when plugged into older mk2s. Is this true and does anyone know if there's a workaround?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that a change if gateway (not sure to what generation / revision) might be the solution.

I'd hate to be quoted on that until I find the article / thread / post that I think I read.

I've fitted a 2012 bolero in my 2006 octy and haven't noticed an issue with the display. New gateway fitted aswell.

What gateway revision?

I already have an 'L' in mine (so no battery drain issues) so there was no need to replace the gateway.