I've got a 2012 Skoda Octavia with a Bolero fitted. I don't have an armrest (so no aux in) and I don't have steering wheel controls or a maxidot.

 

I'd really like to get Bluetooth up and running in my car for use with an iPhone 8 Plus running iOS 12 and a Samsung S8 Edge on Android 8.0. Looking at my options my current preferred choices are:

 

1. Have a parrot kit installed - cost something in the region of £200-250.
2. Install an aftermarket head unit with Bluetooth integrated.

 

On the Parrot side my big concern is compatibility with the iPhone 8 Plus - does anyone have experience of an iPhone 8 Plus (or any other iOS 12 device) with the MKi9100 or MKi9200?

 

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If I went down the route of installing an aftermarket head unit I'd rather get a non-Android standard double din unit from Kenwood or Pioneer - probably towards the cheaper end of the market (£120-160). I know I'd also need to get a fascia adaptor like this: http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CT23SK03

 

My big question is - what else would I need except for the fascia kit and the head unit itself? I know I'd need a few cables but can anyone make any suggestions?

 

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Tried dropping the car into Halfords in Twickenham to get the radio replaced but apparently Halfords don't stock the fascia I'd need and they won't do the replacement if I bring in the fascia myself - so any suggestions on where I could get the radio replaced in West London would also be awesome.

 

Cheers everyone!

What do you want the Bluetooth to do - Just phone calls - or do you want to stream audio from the phone. 

 

Personally I wouldn't bother with Parrot, I've had/fitted a few and to be honest -they're clunky, expensive and the call quality is not very good - all of the units they sell are now approaching or are more than 10 years old.

 

For ultimate simplicity, the Bury CC9048 is a great little kit -it does support audio streaming, but you need to control the music from the phone. The call quality is vastly superior to Parrot in my experience.

 

If you want to fit a Bluetooth kit you will need a SOT (sound on top) lead - Connects2 are good and will do one for your vehicle.

 

If you want to replace the stereo you will need an adaptor loom (Connects2 again), plus an aerial adaptor (something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Diversity-Twin-Double-Dual-Fakra-Din-Aerial-Antenna-Adaptor-Lead-For-Audi-VW/152079439479?epid=1094454729&hash=item2368a41677:g:0ggAAOSw37Bad8VW )

 

 

Thanks greenstripe - I want to stream audio and make calls - hadn't seen the Bury CC9048 so that's a pretty interesting option. Do you know how it performs with modern iPhones in terms of connection?

 

An alternative I'm considering is retrofitting an Aux In cable using one of these and getting an Anker Roav Bluetooth Adapter which should get me Bluetooth for calls/streaming for about £20.

 

On the flip side I'm not 100% sure that Aux In adapter cable will work and I don't know if  I'd need to get the radio recoded if I did manage to fit it?

The Bury is A2DP - which should work fine for iPhone.

 

The aux in may require VCDS coding to activate (not sure of this) and additionally you'd need to switch the stereo to aux to take a call from using the Anker kit if you're listening to radio, SD card or CD - or it's switched off - lots of buttons to press when you're driving - plus lots of cables!

 

You'll be able to remove and refit the Bolero without the security code - the car will remember it.

 

Another point I forgot to mention if you're thinking of changing  the stereo- Your Bolero will most likely be a trapezoid shape (getting wider towards the top) , so you'd need to purchase a new fascia from you Skoda dealer (to fit the rectangular Columbus) as well as the adaptor that you linked 

 

In a nut shell:

 

Bury - simplest to install and use. The unit does use its own amplifier for music streaming though which is perfectly acceptable but not as good as the Bolero if you're an audiophile.

 

Aux in cheapest, but messy and I have no idea if the Anker kit is any good.

 

New Stereo most expensive and complex to install but if done right will give you the best sound quality for music also give you some control over the music from the phone using the stereo buttons/screen.

Thanks again!

 

My thinking has evolved a little bit and I'm now considering this as an option:

 

Skoda Octavia - Connects2 - Full Kit - £56.99

 

Kenwood DPX-7100DAB - £146.95

 

I'm hoping those two items would give me everything I need to fully replace the Bolero and get me Bluetooth Streaming/DAB (Bonus!  )/Hands Free Calling for just over £200.

 

Any opinions on the above as an option or alternatives - and am I right in thinking that Connects2 kit would contain everything I need to swap out the radio?

Edited 22 September, 20187 yr by mikecsmith

That Kit should work, however it contains an interface for the steering wheel remote controls which you don't have, so you might save some money if you buy the bits separately without it: CT20VW04 and CT23SK01. I can't speak for the Kenwood stereo: What I will say is some people have mixed experiences with the DAB antennae that glue on to the windscreen - I had one and it was OK, make sure you follow the fitting instructions with regards to placement from the edge of the pillar and top of the windscreen. Roof mounted aerials are always better - but a much bigger job to install.