Ok folks i've reached the end of the line. I've explored all avenues and the news ain't good.

The excellent hands free phone integration as covered in extensive detail in the owner's manual will never be available as an option on the Octy II in the UK.

Skoda say this is because the sytem is only compatible with Nokia/Seimens and this won't suit UK mobile phone users who tend to change their mobiles more frequently than in other areas of Europe.

Cullman supply all VAG phone cradles and can provide me with a kit which is operational via the steering wheel audio controls and linked to the radio but it cannot do the integration with maxidot. They are sourcing a part number for the box of tricks by Skoda that allows their kit to acheive full maxidot integration but it will probably cost big bucks if available at all.

Looks like it will have to be a Parrot unit instead.

Any one with further info please share.

I have the bluetooth in the BMW and the only phone I can get it working properly with is my old Sony Erikson t610. Bought a new m2000(PDA) from orange and it wouldn't work so what Skoda are saying could be correct. With the t610 all the functions are accessable from the steering wheel and all numbers appear on the radio. I wouldn't spend to much because I've ended up tied into another one year contract with a phone I can't use in the car

I hated my t610 and the same goes for my current Motorola v525. Both are rubbish IMHO. Too slow and awkward to use. I'm thinking of going back to Nokia. Something like a 6230i I think. I've just realised how little of the featues on the Motorola I use and how unreliable it is (especially with bluetooth). Battery life sucks too!

6230 is very nice

Just to resurrect this thread ..

.. I've now got my car and want to fit my hands-free kit asap. I've got a 6230i and the CARK126 for it. Does anybody know where to buy the correct plug that mutes diverts the sound through the stereo speakers, and also how to get the stereo out to get to the back ??

Ooops - found this thread ...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/t35859-hands-free-kit.html

To remove the stream HU you unclip the plastic facia to the left and right of the preset pushbuttons and below the bottom left and right buttons. The reveals 4 torx screws. Remove these and viola! I think that's right although I don't have my Octy yet.

The excellent hands free phone integration as covered in extensive detail in the owner's manual will never be available as an option on the Octy II in the UK.

Be thankful you have a choice of Nokia and Siemens. A business associate of mine has a Merc and he is tied to one model of Nokia if he wants to use the Merc fully integrated car kit.

I have a choice of just about any phone I like because i'm getting a Parott CK3100. Stuff Skoda and Cullman.

Must admit I am amazed car manufacturers don't consider these issues - after all, by severely restricting the 'choice' they will end up annoying the customers that ordered it. To be restricted to Nokia isn't all that bad, not great of course, but they are the market leader at this point. But one model - that is just crazy :(

Glad I got the CK3100 as well, it has it's faults, but at least you can upgrade it's firmware easily to fix them

That's true. I wasn't sure about the CK3100 to begin with. The reviews said it could be a bit hit and miss with certain phones but said it was down to the variations in the bluetooth abilities of certain phones. Parrot are doing all the work to keep on top of things though through firmware updates. Everyone says the nokia kits are great and work first time. Of course they do, they are usually only used with Nokia phones.

How come Seat do it as an option for any bluetooth phone and it come up on the maxidot in the car.

I had a Toledo on test and it worked well.

Anyone know of a Seat techy or forum we could contact?

How come Seat do it as an option for any bluetooth phone and it come up on the maxidot in the car.

I had a Toledo on test and it worked well.

Anyone know of a Seat techy or forum we could contact?

The integration for VAG cars is provided by Cullman. It's available on VW and as you say the Seat range. Unfortunately Cullman won't sell me the required controller to link in the CAN-BUS for maxidot for less than about