Good afternoon chaps,

I have just completed the install of a Bolero headunit in my car. I know it is a hot topic on here so I would like to share my experiences and hopefully help some others out.

My car is a 2007 Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TFSI. I was replacing a Stream headunit. I don't know the age of the headunit but I believe it to be quite a recent one.

FAQ's

You will loose the PDC display (but not the audio beep).

You will loose the repeated heater controls.

If your car was fitted with the optional Maxi-dot display then you will also loose the option to have the "Audio" display between the dials.

Headunit

I got my bolero headunit from eBay. It doesn't matter what age it is, but some of the later ones seem to have a dimmer screen when installed to an older car.

Make sure you get an activation code for the stereo in hand.

Canbus Unit

Get in touch with Eddie-NL on here and order a new pre-coded Canbus unit from him. I should like to point out that throughout the install Eddie has been a great help to me and answered my many and varied questions. If you want a Canbus unit then he is your man.

Removing the Stereo

Watch these two videos for an idea of how to get your radio out.

You will also need some trim removal tools. I ordered these which arrived very quickly and are great for the job.

Finding Canbus Unit

Disconnect the battery before starting the work.

There doesn't appear to be any consistency regarding Canbus units and where they are. Initially I thought they were under my glovebox, but it turns out it wasn't. However, for some cars it will be...

To remove the glovebox you need to remove the 3 torx screens just inside the lid, then two underneath the glovebox and the last one is behind the side trim panel. Once removed it should look something like this...

20130214_143301 by skodanorman, on Flickr

However, as I say, mine wasn't there. In which case it'll be behind the fusebox. Have a look at this very useful guide from the R32 forum. You will need to remove the wipers, wiper motor and plastic trim cover.

20130214_151207 by skodanorman, on Flickr

But once you have done that you'll have nice and clean access as can be seen here.

20130214_151211 by skodanorman, on Flickr

It is worth noting that my Canbus unit was secured my cable tie so ensure you have a long enough one after you've changed it.

Fitting the stereo

Once you have changed the Canbus unit it is a simple matter of putting everything back together in reverse order.

20130215_104623 by skodanorman, on Flickr

Other issues faced.

I didn't disconnect my battery and by the time I had reassembled everything the battery was flat. If the voltage is below 11.6v then the car will not start. Bear that in mind.

My electric windows one-touch feature didn't work. To rectify this, lower each window individually and hold the button down for a few seconds once it is fully retracted. Close the window fully and hold the button up for a few seconds. Repeat for each window. One-touch will be restored.

Remember to order an antenna adaptor. Seach on eBay ... they are numerous.

Summary

With a pre-coded Canbus unit from eddie-nl the install is largely plug and play. It's not so difficult but it is important to know what, and where, to look for and just take your time.

My Bolero headunit seems a bit dim which I think is a problem connected with the later headunits but otherwise the audio quality is VASTLY improved. I am staggered that it is the same speakers.

Cheers! Im hoping to get mine fitted this weekend at some point! Some useful info there...

Do they not do the software on the Bolero to get around the battery drain issue on earlier cars?

I have a Columbus installed in an 06 VRS without an upgraded canbus as the Columbus came with the software to overcome this, making the actual install a 5 min job.

Fit the new FL climate control unit and you will get back your heating graphics too.

Edited 15 February, 201313 yr by vrs777

I have maxidot and the audio display between the dials works fine on it straight from plugging the unit in.

Nice write up!

I have maxidot and the audio display between the dials works fine on it straight from plugging the unit in.

Having done a bit of reading about this I think it depends on when the Bolero was made. Delphi made units suffer from the dimming, whereas Blaupunkt units do not.

I have maxidot and the audio display between the dials works fine on it straight from plugging the unit in.

Same here. For both cars I've done the Bolero upgrade on, both with Maxidot and earlier than yours, and Maxidot continued to work just as before.

Apart from that, good write-up for people. Not sure it'll stop the questions though

Same here. For both cars I've done the Bolero upgrade on, both with Maxidot and earlier than yours, and Maxidot continued to work just as before.

I'm assuming its because it is a later Bolero headunit? I don't think it is something that can be fixed with VCDS.

Is there an option on the Bolero for BAP in the long coding. If so, turn it off and the Maxidot audio menu will reappear.

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As above i had to change my protocol for the Columbus to show up in my maxidot

Does that require VCDS?

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Great write up thanks. I will be doing mine in the next few weeks.

Why do you need an aerial adaptor?

The aerial connector on the Bolero has a different connection to what the Stream used.

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Oh I see. I better find one then.

What do I look for on eBay ?

All help appreciated

Here you are: Adaptor on eBay. I don't know whether you will need one, but I think you do.

Does that require VCDS?

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Yes, but I can't remember if the option is there on a Bolero, it is on a columbus.

Here you are: Adaptor on eBay. I don't know whether you will need one, but I think you do.

Can't remember whether it was also because I was changing from and Audience h/u or whether it was solely because my car is an estate so has that second aerial in the os rear window, but I needed a similar but slightly different adaptor in that it had TWO cables coming from it; one did the fm and backup fm, the other does am only. Can't damage anything getting them the wrong way round, just wouldn't get AM, that's all.

Radio works better with the twin adaptor, but it will function if you just plug the antenna connection into the Bolero.

It uses the second connection for signal strength, RDS, TPM etc as I understand, so you'll get better radio performance when you fit it.

nice write up

Hello Skodanorman,

This is a very nice topic! Thanks!

Did you need to change the plastic frame around the head unit and climatronic when replacing Stream for Bolero?

Didi you managed to make Bluetooth work on Bolero? Do you know what's needed for it?

Thanks for help!

You don't need to change the plastic surround. It is the same on pre-fl and post-fl. 

 

I never had bluetooth fitted to that car (which I stupidly sold) so can't answer your other question.