Is it possible to replace the radio in the new octavia (with correct faceplates etc) or ahve they done the VW trick of integrating the radio with the electronics of the car?

If so, Has anyone done it? (Any pics)

I'm thinking of the new vRS....and am a fan of aftermarket Sound systems (I've never had a car that didn't have one!)

Yes , it is possible.

I believe the fascia adaptor for the Mk5 golf also fits in the octy , so that has the shape covered.

You need an adaptor to go from the CAN-BUS connector to ISO connectors which will cost you a bit as well.

The speakers in the Mk2 octy aren't as easily accessible as those in the MK1 so you have to remove the door cards , and finally the factory fit stereo is used to display the fan speed information which you will lose once you fit a replacement.

I've seen a thread on here a while back about this. Someone ordered their OctyII without a radio and it came with just a blanking plate. I'm sure you can get a Quadlock to ISO adapter and a non standard radio would take up less space so you could hide the additional cabling no problem.

The head unit is integrated well into the car through the CAN-BUS system so you lose quite a lot by replacing it with an aftermarket unit although you would gain a lot more flexibility if you plan to install amps etc.

If you remove the standard fit radio you also loose the clock and temp display in the centre of the dash although you still get these on the dash in front of the driver.

If you have parking sensors you'll loose the graphics on the radio display showing distance from obstacles behind and you loose the maxidot function which displays radio/cd information from the Head Unit.

As already said the climate control settings are repeated on the radio so you loose that too but TBH I don't really notice it anyway. Adapters aren't available for the Skoda multifunction steering wheel as far as I know so you would loose that functionality.

Obviously other features of the radio like automatically reducing the volume when you go into reverse and the GALA speed dependent volume control are also lost.

I wonder if someone has got an LCD that displays this information.. Yeah I hear the connectors for the CAN-BUS aren't cheap...

The head unit is integrated well into the car through the CAN-BUS system so you lose quite a lot by replacing it with an aftermarket unit although you would gain a lot more flexibility if you plan to install amps etc.

Have you not seen my current install yet?

I might do a search for a display that gives all this functionality there's bound to be one available for the Mk5 Golf .

Have you not seen my current install yet?

No' date=' sorry I missed that at the karting Bernard. Have to make a point of checking it out next time.

I might do a search for a display that gives all this functionality there's bound to be one available for the Mk5 Golf .

Worth a try but the radio on the Golf V doesn't have anywhere near the functionality of the Stream or Audience head units. It's pretty basic in comparison so I wouldn't be hopeful that it would do the same job as the Skoda HU's especially with regard to the reversing sensors and maxidot integration.

Cannot find anything on the English speaking forums whether VW or Audi.

Can an Amplifier be installed with the OEM headunits? (that would probably be the best workaround if it could)

No' date=' sorry I missed that at the karting Bernard. Have to make a point of checking it out next time.

[/quote']

Cannot find anything on the English speaking forums whether VW or Audi.

Can an Amplifier be installed with the OEM headunits? (that would probably be the best workaround if it could)

I'm thinking about that too. Yes you should be able to. Up until early last year you could spec the audience HU and 12 speaker upgrade separately so the Stream also has outputs to connect the Skoda amp up to.

I hope to connect up an oscilloscope to the spare pins on the HU to see if i can trace the line-outs. It would be a lot easier though if someone with an Audience HU could take a photo of the back of the quadlock connector that goes into their radio as it would be easy to see the location of the lineouts.

There is also a 'switch-on' pin on the radio for the skoda amp which is unused on the back of my stream head unit labelled 'audience only' but i'm not sure if it works like a standard 12v switch-on signal.

I've seen a thread on here a while back about this. Someone ordered their OctyII without a radio and it came with just a blanking plate. I'm sure you can get a Quadlock to ISO adapter and a non standard radio would take up less space so you could hide the additional cabling no problem.

The head unit is integrated well into the car through the CAN-BUS system so you lose quite a lot by replacing it with an aftermarket unit although you would gain a lot more flexibility if you plan to install amps etc.

If you remove the standard fit radio you also loose the clock and temp display in the centre of the dash although you still get these on the dash in front of the driver.

If you have parking sensors you'll loose the graphics on the radio display showing distance from obstacles behind and you loose the maxidot function which displays radio/cd information from the Head Unit.

As already said the climate control settings are repeated on the radio so you loose that too but TBH I don't really notice it anyway. Adapters aren't available for the Skoda multifunction steering wheel as far as I know so you would loose that functionality.

Obviously other features of the radio like automatically reducing the volume when you go into reverse and the GALA speed dependent volume control are also lost.

Will this happen even if you replace with a Skoda MFD2?

I'm thinking of the new vRS....

:rofl: That didn't take long to change your mind

:rofl: That didn't take long to change your mind

I never said WHEN I would be getting it. I'm just thinking about it....

I never said WHEN I would be getting it. I'm just thinking about it....

Thats more than you were doing this time last week

There is a new panel available for the Octy II, I have it listed as a different part number to the MK5 Golf panel though. As I haven't had the chance to have both the panels together I don't know the difference. As for CANBUS, it depends what you want to do with the audio system. If you are not fussed about having to turn the radio on an off yourself then all you'll need is a 'MOST' to 'ISO' connector. I am sure that if you have the radio out then you'll be able to pick up an ignition feed that comes from the climate control system or from the key barrel. You'll also need a FAKRA antenna adaptor.

Other than that, easy as pie !!!!

Andy

What would be idea is a panel that has space for a DIN stereo then a screen built in to display the information that the factory stereo normally displays.

It wouldn't be cheap but I'd be prepared to pay

What would be idea is a panel that has space for a DIN stereo then a screen built in to display the information that the factory stereo normally displays.

It wouldn't be cheap but I'd be prepared to pay

Now thats what I was thinking about... but I saw myself getting my Electronics Degree out and designing one.... Then I thought..Nah, Don't have the time to remember how to put together a PCB and a screen

Will this happen even if you replace with a Skoda MFD2?

To a large extent yes probably. Many of the functions are dependent on the hardware but i'm sure you could get some of it back with the right firmware update

Thanks Johnnyc.

Do you or anyone else know any car with this feature built in (MFD2 with graphical view for the parking sensors like displayed in the Audience units).

The firmware update you're talking about is that kind of update that might go wrong and burn the unit for good ( like posted somewhere in the forum)?

Thanks Johnnyc.

Do you or anyone else know any car with this feature built in (MFD2 with graphical view for the parking sensors like displayed in the Audience units).

No' date=' it's pretty unusual in this class. I'm sure the BM's with that stupid kn-ob system probably do it.

The firmware update you're talking about is that kind of update that might go wrong and burn the unit for good ( like posted somewhere in the forum)?[/quote']

Sounds unlikely but I suppose it's possible.

I've seen a thread on here a while back about this. Someone ordered their OctyII without a radio and it came with just a blanking plate. I'm sure you can get a Quadlock to ISO adapter and a non standard radio would take up less space so you could hide the additional cabling no problem.

The head unit is integrated well into the car through the CAN-BUS system so you lose quite a lot by replacing it with an aftermarket unit although you would gain a lot more flexibility if you plan to install amps etc.

If you remove the standard fit radio you also loose the clock and temp display in the centre of the dash although you still get these on the dash in front of the driver.

If you have parking sensors you'll loose the graphics on the radio display showing distance from obstacles behind and you loose the maxidot function which displays radio/cd information from the Head Unit.

As already said the climate control settings are repeated on the radio so you loose that too but TBH I don't really notice it anyway. Adapters aren't available for the Skoda multifunction steering wheel as far as I know so you would loose that functionality.

Obviously other features of the radio like automatically reducing the volume when you go into reverse and the GALA speed dependent volume control are also lost.

Johnny,

I have an after market cd/mp3 head unit (VDO Dayton) in my current car. It is connected to the speed sensing wires, and gives speed readings as well as adjusting the volume depending on current speed. I can also connect up a parking sensor unit to it. It has the standard ISO connector blocks - do you think if I got the interface lead between the ISO connectors & the CAN BUS, would I still be able to retain all the functions I currently have?

Coming back to the original post, and some of the later questions, I had my Octy2 delivered without a radio -- I wanted to fir my own becker satnav head unit.

The dealer fitted the headunit for me, and also the "proper" facia plate.

Looking at the invoice (no free lunch!) the part number was AZ0600003 "Double Din Octavia kit" (doesn't specify which Octavia) and cost was 70 euros before tax, say about 50 pounds. They also needed a canbus adaptor, part number STC857CAN "Plug and Play Canbus Anal" (honest, that's what it reads!).

The double din kit has a little cubby hole under the headunit with its own little rubber mat. Very dinky.

The Becker also has GAL speed adjusted volume, and the speedo wire was connected, though I can't remember if its part of the standard wiring or not. The dealer did remember to switch the power leads (or that might be done by the canbus adaptor), but I did have one problem with something being wired to the phone mute plug on the Becker: not sure which wire it was but attacking it with the wire cutters and some insulating tape solved that problem.

Some more info and pics in this thread: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/33276-you-beauty.html?highlight=beauty

Hope this helps someone.

not sure which wire it was but attacking it with the wire cutters and some insulating tape solved that problem.

Priceless