Hello All

 

Having read all the forum comments I finally decided to upgrade the Bolero in my 2011 Octavia TDI 2.0 Elegance to a Columbus. Because I found the correct information so hard to find I thought I would post my experience.

 

I had a Bolero with the Crisscross Aluminium Fascia and trim in the car. I had an AutoDAB unit in line for my DAB leads. I had an OEM combined FM/GPS/DAB antenna installed which cost £90. Don’t let anyone convince you that you can use DAB with an internal antenna however good. I tried a £50 one and it was rubbish!

 

I purchased by Columbus new online in the UK for £700. The first issue is the Trim as the Columbus is a different size. According to Skoda the crisscross pattern it turned aluminium. It is not. They then told me that they only did this or black and that mine must be an aftermarket product! I persevered and sent a photo showing the pattern and the Skoda part number Z0858069AABE9. I attach a photo – zoom in for the pattern. Yesterday the correct pattern part turned up. It is P S1Z058069ACBE9 N/Stock Trim and cost £80.22! It looks perfect.

Now it is all in and working I can answer some other questions  that came up.

The sound system is only as good as the speakers and they are the week point, not the Head Unit. This is not true. I played the same MP3 file from the SD card that was in the Bolero in the Columbus and it is much clearer in the midrange. The rest is the same.

 

The DAB is flawless and never misses a second.

 

The SatNav has its drawbacks and one strong point. Importing speed cameras is a real pain. I have done it and they show up but  you can’t get an audible warning. Also there is no facility to show your actual speed which is a shame. I know from my old Satnav that the Speedo over reads. I now can’t set the correct speed on cruise in long average speed camera areas. The live traffic information is great. It routed me around a new road closure yesterday due to flooding that had occurred in the last 12 hours and was correctly clear again today.

 

So what has it cost The unit was £700. Cables £22, Trim £80 and the antenna £100. £900 fully installed was a little more than I intended, but I like the result.

 

Happy to answer any questions.

 

Garnett

Edited 18 November, 201411 yr by john999boy
Slight trimming.....

nice write up.