I went down the road of exploring the replacement of the MIB1 Bolero in my MY15.5 ( immediately pre MIB2). I understood the difficulties around the component protection and also the recoding of an MIB2 unit to match my car. Eventually I found a MIB2 unit and the deal I had with the seller was it MUST work in my car. Suffice to say, in Australia, this proved to be a very complex issue and required a lot of effort. In the end, the technician did get to dis-able toe component protection but could not get past the requirement for a code to enable CarPlay/Android Auto. 

 

It was a great learning experience. It was also a frustrating one where VAG cars are hindered by VAG technology restrictions in upgrading MIB units that are legitimately purchased . 

12 hours ago, asavvyman said:

I went down the road of exploring the replacement of the MIB1 Bolero in my MY15.5 ( immediately pre MIB2). I understood the difficulties around the component protection and also the recoding of an MIB2 unit to match my car. Eventually I found a MIB2 unit and the deal I had with the seller was it MUST work in my car. Suffice to say, in Australia, this proved to be a very complex issue and required a lot of effort. In the end, the technician did get to dis-able toe component protection but could not get past the requirement for a code to enable CarPlay/Android Auto. 

 

It was a great learning experience. It was also a frustrating one where VAG cars are hindered by VAG technology restrictions in upgrading MIB units that are legitimately purchased . 

 

Hmm that all sounds too complicated and not worth the effort.

 

It's not like I had it in my previous cars. I've always relied on a magnetic phone holder so I guess I'll just get one for the Octavia.

There have been a great many people that have struggled with the swap, but I have to say, my experience couldn’t have been easier. I think I’m done messing with the audio system in my car now haha

 

Just to show you what you’re missing if you’re an Apple user...

 

 

I should note that I’ve relocated the USB to the centre console, as standard you would have to have a wire plugged into the socket on the bottom left of the image.

1 hour ago, SashaGrace said:

There have been a great many people that have struggled with the swap, but I have to say, my experience couldn’t have been easier. I think I’m done messing with the audio system in my car now haha

 

Just to show you what you’re missing if you’re an Apple user...

 

I should note that I’ve relocated the USB to the centre console, as standard you would have to have a wire plugged into the socket on the bottom left of the image.

 

So, in a nutshell, what is required to do that?

All in my thread below

 

 

I bought an Amundsen radio and screen from a crash damaged car and had the component protection removed by my local Skoda dealer. This seems to be a sticking point for some, but my dealer were game to do it no problems. Once that was done, I sent the unit away to a forum member in Poland for the coding to be done to activate the voice controls, nav, SmartLink etc that weren’t working once the CP had been disabled. After a month or 2 of loving the new radio for its extra features/better sound/updated UI/faster processor, I took the plunge and bought a Columbus 8 inch screen to complete the package, as all MIB2 radios can support an 8 inch screen. The relocation of the USB is also detailed in the thread, that’s just a case of removing some trim, drilling a hole and routing a cable.

 

I used my car happily without the CarPlay for a bit, but I was given a courtesy car with SmartLink on it and I really saw the benefit so I went for the upgrade. I would say the Bolero radio is OK if you’ve never had a car with CarPlay/Android Auto on it and you don’t regularly stream music from your phone and you don’t want/need full control of the collection. Via BT you can only play/pause and skip tracks in a pre defined playlist rather than access full browsing facilities. The BT music connection was as crisp as the DAB/FM/SD music and having those extra features as well as a CD player may be enough for you (as I have an Amundsen, my car doesn’t have a CD player anymore). For me the biggest issue with the Bolero is the screen. Very low res and bezel heavy. The 6.5 inch MIB2 screen looks much better but the glorious 8 inch screen from the Columbus (or indeed the FL cars as it’s the same sort of thing but with touch buttons instead of physical soft keys) is really the one to beat IMO.

Edited 29 April, 20188 yr by SashaGrace

Thanks for that.

 

So If bought say one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Amundsen-RNS-310-RNS310-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-GPS-315-GB-UK-V4-CD-2012/301853865537?hash=item4647e47641:g:cYUAAOSwgQ9V3ta0

 

I'd need to get a dealer to remove Component Protection, and get someone to activate all the useful stuff?

No. That radio is for a Mk2 Octy. You will need a radio that is DIN size and lives in the glovebox and a screen. I paid £270 all in for my original screen and Amundsen radio. You will also need a new USB plug as the factory one doesn’t support CarPlay.

6 hours ago, SashaGrace said:

No. That radio is for a Mk2 Octy. You will need a radio that is DIN size and lives in the glovebox and a screen. I paid £270 all in for my original screen and Amundsen radio. You will also need a new USB plug as the factory one doesn’t support CarPlay.

Link for MIB 2 USB connection.

 

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/AUX-IN-USB-Socket-For-VW-Beetle-Caddy-CC-CarPlay-Android-Auto-Seat-Leon-Ibiza/182498555160?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

and what Sasha talking about is something like this

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Genuine-Skoda-OEM-Retrofit-Kit-Columbus-Navigation-MIB2-with-DAB-no-SIM/122797421622?hash=item1c974bf436:g:NkwAAOSwHEhZ~bi4

, go to a breakers though.......much cheaper.

I have recently purchased Smartlink for a Yeti 2017. Purchase from Skoda plus installation cost £152.00.

 

Its NOT possible to 'activate' smartlink without purchase of the 'activation code, obtained from Skoda.

The dealer supplies the Engine Number etc and Skoda gives them an 'activation' code.

Cannot be done free...!

 

I use in conjunction with a Samsung Android A5 smartphone.

Works ok with hands-free and use with Android Auto software to run Google Maps.

although do not select the MirrorLink but choose Android instead in setup (from the dealer)

 

The software was already pre-installed by Skoda on the Balero infotainment system... and generally it works fine.

 

Connected up the Samsung with a short 0.2m usb cable to the usb socket.

 

Thinking of moving the phone up into the dashboard compartment.....

Looking at possibility of getting a piggy-back plug from the USB up to another in this compartment as it would be a more convenient place for the phone.

The existing USB is too near to the Auto Gear Selector.

Edited 30 April, 20188 yr by ajmbwas

I'd like to add, that Skoda is a boutique brand in Australia (less than 5,000 cars sold per year - of all models combined) and local dealers are not helpful in any way when it comes to retrofitting a higher specked MIB unit.

 

The thing that really hacks me off is when a car is written off after an accident, our laws require that the government car registration authorities record the car as a write off and cannot be repaired and reregistered. In this requirement, it's really easy to determine if the MIB unit you buy from a dismantler is a legit second hand part. 

WHY...OH WHY, does VAG not then accomodate those like us who are willing and enthusiastic 'upgraders' apart from they just want to be arse hats!

 

I'd consider following SashaGrace's lead if I could trust a Euro supplier of a unit AND find a technician who can recode a unit using my cars VIN details. Alas, we have far too many horror stories of MIB units from Lithuania, Russia, Poland and so on where what we get isn't what we paid for.  

On 30/04/2018 at 16:20, seanbrady49 said:

Link for MIB 2 USB connection.

 

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/AUX-IN-USB-Socket-For-VW-Beetle-Caddy-CC-CarPlay-Android-Auto-Seat-Leon-Ibiza/182498555160?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

and what Sasha talking about is something like this

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Genuine-Skoda-OEM-Retrofit-Kit-Columbus-Navigation-MIB2-with-DAB-no-SIM/122797421622?hash=item1c974bf436:g:NkwAAOSwHEhZ~bi4

, go to a breakers though.......much cheaper.

 

did you need to change the cable ? as i bought the whole loom and port ?

You only need the green tipped USB port, but it won’t matter if you change it all.

6 hours ago, SashaGrace said:

You only need the green tipped USB port, but it won’t matter if you change it all.

well the existing loom is bound up with the rest of the quadlock so it would be easier if you can use the existing without having to hack the wires.  

i did not think ami to usb was a straight swap over. 

 

was yours a straight swap over and the 3.5mm jack worked ? 

 

 

 

Edited 23 August, 20187 yr by lenovo

I don’t know about ami to usb sorry. I swapped USB to USB so I only replaced the old USB for a new one.

Ok i thought skoda would have had the same connector as the leon seems seat use ami same as audi.