Hi!

I would like to ask You guys about below issue.

I have a octy III (MY2013) which is equipped with the most basic radio (pictures attached). Not even Bluetooth is included. (yet it has USB, SD card reader and aux-in)...

Since BT is the minimum what I need (and want to avoid BT reciever plugged into the aux in port), I am considering 3 options:

 

1.opt: I wonder if the system can be upgraded to have bluetooth? (because same looking skoda radios have a PHONE button instead of the MUTE button.) Maybe only need a SW update? Or need addditional components as BT modul and Microphone? Or these are included just SW upgrade/activation is needed??

 

2.opt: I wonder if the car could be upgraded with a more advanced aftermarket multimedia. My biggest concern is that I am affraid to loose current functionality of the radio. Namely the CAR menu, where I can see service/oil intervals, and can set how the following things should function: vipers, convienence door/window closing, mirror folding when closing car, etc... First I thought that the RCD330(+) radio for VW group would do, what I want (BT, included MIC, mirrorlink, mainly WAZE, etc...). But I was told, that for octy 3 Not OK, because of losing the CAR menu. However I've found a site - seemed to have good solutions for skodas - offers a multimedia system specially for octy 3, so i would expect not to loose any current feature with an UPgrade...

for example this solution: https://www.cars-equipment.com/en/shop/navigations-2/android-711-navigation-skoda-octavia-3/

 

3.opt: If there is no (reasonable) aftermarket radio where I would not lose the CAR menu functions, than I assume I have to go for a branded skoda (ie BOLERO) radio upgrade (than minimum with mirrorlink to see WAZE, too). But i have doubts - since as I understand - the bigger radios all have a separate display and head unit. And with my current setup there is no headunit, so I think it would not be a simple replacement process. I assume I would need to do the wirings... probably very difficult, especially if the BT modul and the MIC are both located on a third/fourth place in the car and I need to do wirings for these, too. Not only between Head Unit and display. Anyway if I have to go this way, what system do you suggest and what components are needed (like harnesses, mic, bt modul, head unit and display? is it all?)

 

Many-many thanks for any input! Regards, G.

In my previous car I installed a BT receiver with a FM radio broadcaster. It was put in the 12V cigarette socket and even provided USB for charging the phone too. Then I simply connected the phone via BT and tuned in on a set FM frequency in the car. The sound quality is not always the best but it worked great and only cost like 10 euro. 🙂

It isn’t an SW update to get bt, you would need new hardware. The Swing radio isn’t offered in the UK so I can’t really say how much work there is to it as I’ve upgraded MIB1 Bolero to MIB2 Amundsen and now MIB2.5 Columbus. The standard bt mic is in the interior light trim. You can get extension looms to the glovebox to facilitate an upgrade like mine but I cannot imagine it will be cost effective with everything else you will have to do. I don’t know enough about coding Swing radios to advise if upgrading to a Swing with BT would be worth it for you.

I've got a Jabra Parrot that I used on my old Fabia, one of the best separate bluetooth units I could find.  I'll let you have it for a very modest price.

13 hours ago, Poul said:

In my previous car I installed a BT receiver with a FM radio broadcaster. It was put in the 12V cigarette socket and even provided USB for charging the phone too. Then I simply connected the phone via BT and tuned in on a set FM frequency in the car. The sound quality is not always the best but it worked great and only cost like 10 euro. 🙂

Thanks, in the mean time I have also purchased one, because I hate the hassle with the jack cable. The Bluetooth part works great and also I have a quickcharge extension on it, which is pretty handy, due to the quick batterydrain by Waze.

When on rural area, it works fine. However, when there are plenty of FM signals, than the FM signal modulation is not the best solution. Furthermore I don't like it sticking out from the cigarette lighter output. So that is why I would like an "original looking" solution, like upgrade of the radio. But again: thanks for the idea! Have a nice day!

1 hour ago, RobGy said:

I've got a Jabra Parrot that I used on my old Fabia, one of the best separate bluetooth units I could find.  I'll let you have it for a very modest price.

Thanks, however I am looking for a different solution. Have a nice day! Regards, G.

21 hours ago, SashaGrace said:

It isn’t an SW update to get bt, you would need new hardware. The Swing radio isn’t offered in the UK so I can’t really say how much work there is to it as I’ve upgraded MIB1 Bolero to MIB2 Amundsen and now MIB2.5 Columbus. The standard bt mic is in the interior light trim. You can get extension looms to the glovebox to facilitate an upgrade like mine but I cannot imagine it will be cost effective with everything else you will have to do. I don’t know enough about coding Swing radios to advise if upgrading to a Swing with BT would be worth it for you.

Thanks a lot SashaGrace! Your respond is very useful as always!

So if I conclude correctly to "upgrade" the current swing radio is not really a clever idea, since I'd need to buy BT modul, wiring between BT modul (which would than be placed under the passenger's seat as in MK2 octy?) and the wiring of BT modul is quite a job I assume.

So this indicates either changing the whole unit to a bigger Skoda unit OR to get an aftermarket solution.

For the bigger Skoda unit is this what is needed?

* head unit (to be located in the glove box?)

* display

* BT modul

* wiring between head unit and display

* wiring between head unit and BT modul

* removing component protection from the head unit by official dealer? (other components are not CPd?)

 

Does both MIB2 Amundsen and MIB2.5 Columbus offer mirrorlink to display waze?

 

I am considering to buy the parts from ebay but I wonder: How do I know if the components I buy are compatible with each other and my car?

 

I would be really happy to get advice on above. Or if somebody can recommend an aftermarket solution, which DOES handle the same as the current CAR menu. (But I doubt there is any...)

Thanks again!

 

 

 

 

Not quite, it would only involve a wiring loom extension to the glovebox unit and then the wiring from the glovebox to the screen, the mic and wiring for that. There isn’t a separate BT module like the Mk2. I don’t know enough about the Swing units to say how easy it would be to upgrade to a BT enabled Swing but you would certainly gain a lot from upgrading to the higher spec MIB units. The cost of that and sourcing looms etc will be something that will affect an upgrade but could be something you could make work.

Maybe a higher end after market unit could work? Alpine halo9 should work and offer android auto/carplay. How much of the car systems would show is down to the gateways that are installed. It would give a much better performance/reliability than an android unit and also be a unique setup. I almost did this myself until I stumbled upon an mib2 system for a great price. As you have found it is a bigger job to fit mib2 in your car due to additional wiring.

How did it work out for you? I have the same stereo and want to upgrade it to a proper one with Nav and everything. Cheers.