I’m more interested in what the interior of my car is like than the outside.  Hit me up with your MkIII Octy internal mods!  Diy or otherwise!!

The only interior mod I've done is the aluminium paddle shift extensions. They are really nice to use!

You are best having a look at http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/OCTAVIA-III/Interior/ for some ideas.

But on mine, so far

LED interior lights
VRS Style foot rest (matches the pedals, rather than just black rubber)
Litter bins that fit the door pockets
Wired in Dashcam (front and rear)
USB cable routed to where I have my phone holder, so no dangly wire hanging around.

Columbus MIB 2.5 Headunit + Speakers, Sub and Amp upgrade.
Underseat storage box for drivers side
Rear VRS door sills

Footwell lighting
QI Wireless charger

 

7 hours ago, StealthRS245 said:

The only interior mod I've done is the aluminium paddle shift extensions. They are really nice to use!

Lol one I can't do as I have a manual!

2 hours ago, WayTooTall said:

You are best having a look at http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/OCTAVIA-III/Interior/ for some ideas.

But on mine, so far

LED interior lights
VRS Style foot rest (matches the pedals, rather than just black rubber)
Litter bins that fit the door pockets
Wired in Dashcam (front and rear)
USB cable routed to where I have my phone holder, so no dangly wire hanging around.

Columbus MIB 2.5 Headunit + Speakers, Sub and Amp upgrade.
Underseat storage box for drivers side
Rear VRS door sills

Footwell lighting
QI Wireless charger

 

Yeah, been browsing Superskoda, but I'm always open to ideas that don't come off the shelf!

Some good suggestions there, thanks.  I would like all of those bar the VRS door sills (bit silly on a non VRS 1.6!) and the wireless charger (I have a wired-only charging phone).  The LED interior lights, what's the pros and cons to them?  I have no issue with the current lights, since they only really serve a basic purpose.  Intrigued as to the reasons for installing them.  How much did your stereo upgrade cost all together?  I'd like to do all of that ideally but might have to start with the speakers and see where I go from there.  Budget is tight.

As I have a VRs, I really didn't like the bright white welcome lights, against the yellow of the interior lights, so had to make it a uniform white.

But upgrading the boot light makes a lot of sense on a Combi, as the OEM is crap. Now my boot is flood lit.

Stereo cost, all in. A lot, even with having the sub and amps from a previous install. But a drive a lot, so I think it was worth it. Starting with speakers makes sense, but you might lose volume, as they probably will have a higher resistance. Problem is you are stuck with having a skoda headunit because of all the functions it provides, so you have to get your amp inputs from the speaker wires, and then need an amp that can take a high voltage input.

24 minutes ago, RobGy said:

Yeah, been browsing Superskoda, but I'm always open to ideas that don't come off the shelf!

Some good suggestions there, thanks.  I would like all of those bar the VRS door sills (bit silly on a non VRS 1.6!) and the wireless charger (I have a wired-only charging phone).  The LED interior lights, what's the pros and cons to them?  I have no issue with the current lights, since they only really serve a basic purpose.  Intrigued as to the reasons for installing them.  How much did your stereo upgrade cost all together?  I'd like to do all of that ideally but might have to start with the speakers and see where I go from there.  Budget is tight.

Apart from the fact I like LED interior lights, If I arrive early to a job on a dark morning, I can sit outside, drink my home made coffee and easily read the paper under one of the bright LED lights I turn on. Maybe it's my old eyes that need the bright light! That is the pro, I can't think of any cons to LED.  

Second the Superskoda boot light upgrade. I carry alot of work gear in the boot with the multifunction floor raised half way to the back and the OEM lights were rubbish. The upgraded LEDS are fantastically bright and light it up right to the back so I can see everything. 

 

I'd like the under seat storage next and might do some more interior LED's as the seats are black Alcantara as too the carpets and things get lost in it easily. 

 

 

On 14/10/2019 at 18:06, WayTooTall said:

As I have a VRs, I really didn't like the bright white welcome lights, against the yellow of the interior lights, so had to make it a uniform white.

Totally understand that

On 14/10/2019 at 18:06, WayTooTall said:

But upgrading the boot light makes a lot of sense on a Combi, as the OEM is crap. Now my boot is flood lit.

Yeah, I am hoping to be able to use the estate boot as a mini camper for me and the wife with a few adaptations, once I've done a few camps in it (so, not likely until spring) I will know what sort of lighting I want in the boot.

 

On 14/10/2019 at 18:06, WayTooTall said:

Stereo cost, all in. A lot, even with having the sub and amps from a previous install. But a drive a lot, so I think it was worth it. Starting with speakers makes sense, but you might lose volume, as they probably will have a higher resistance. Problem is you are stuck with having a skoda headunit because of all the functions it provides, so you have to get your amp inputs from the speaker wires, and then need an amp that can take a high voltage input.

I am agonising over this.  I switched from a Ford Focus which had a fantastic stereo.  Seriously good.  Wouldn't change a thing about it.  Clear and loud throughout the whole frequency range with an incredible "optimise driver" option for when you're driving alone.  I also drive a lot, though recent job change has reduced it slightly, and I do really miss the stereo.  I certainly don't have the budget for it yet and will need to start small and work my way up.  Trouble is I have *zero* knowledge about this sort of stuff.  I can tell you what I don't like about the sound, but I don't really understand the detail of the tech you describe there and got a bit lost after "amp inputs".  I get what you say about speaker resistance though.  I don't *need* massive volume.  Very occasionally I will want to listen to some noise rock or digital hardcore at high volume but I also want jazz and radio 4 to sound good

 

On 14/10/2019 at 21:07, paulski said:

Second the Superskoda boot light upgrade. I carry alot of work gear in the boot with the multifunction floor raised half way to the back and the OEM lights were rubbish. The upgraded LEDS are fantastically bright and light it up right to the back so I can see everything. 

 

I'd like the under seat storage next and might do some more interior LED's as the seats are black Alcantara as too the carpets and things get lost in it easily. 

 

 

Yeah the under seat storage looks like a nice option.  Not loads of room but every little helps to stop the car getting messy with stuff that is useful to always have.  The passenger side has the handbook wallet in - it was clearly designed to specifically fit in it.

Here's before and after photo's of the Superskoda boot LEDs that I took last year, taken three minutes apart, same iPhone SE, no flash and no change in the ambient light, and I'd say what the photo's show are a pretty good depiction of what you get:

 

 

 

 

Not cheap - but I'm worth it 😎

 

Gaz

12 hours ago, CallmeGaz said:

 

 

Not cheap - but I'm worth it 😎

 

Gaz

Looks great!

 

Not cheap??  Isn't it just a question of putting LED bulbs in?

13 hours ago, RobGy said:

I don't really understand the detail of the tech you describe there and got a bit lost after "amp inputs".

 

Took me a while to get my head around it all. Basically come to this. The only output from the Skoda headunits comes from the speaker wires. That signal has already been through an amp, so this is a high level ouput (loud output). Most aftermarket headunits and home steroes will provide you with a low level ouput (quiet output), that then can be run through an amp to make a high level signal suitable for speakers.

An amp has to be specially designed to take a high level input, and will effectively turn it to a low level signal suitable for the amp. Something like an Audison 4.9 Bit will do this.

Alternatively you can get a Line converter or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to turn the high level to low and then use what ever amp you want. So for a DSP you could get a Audison Bit 10.

 

So in the Octavia I have an Audison Bit One (the Bit 10 big brother) taking the speaker output from the headunit, that then send a signal to my 2 Genesis Amps that in turn is running the speakers and sub.

 

In the BMW is a simpler system of a Audison Bit 10, running another Genesis Amp and just running the front speakers,

 

And in my partners BMW I have an Audison 4.9 Bit doing everything.

 

If you start with the speakers, also budget for some sound deadening for the doors. Basically a heavy sticky sheet you stick to the doors to reduce the amount they vibrate. This will mean you get the most you can from the speakers.

 

Then you can add a 4.9 Bit later and give the speakers the power they really need. Also it can do Time Alignment (driver optimize) and all other adjustments.

 

Whereabout in Sheffield? If you want to come over sometime and listen to the cars, you are more than welcome to. I am up in Crookes.

 

Also if you want to listen to various speakers and talk to an installer, look up Source Sounds in Chapeltown. They know there stuff and did the install in the Octavia.

 

 

/edit just looked at the unit on superskoda.  35 euro isn't bad for such a big improvement

 

1 minute ago, RobGy said:

Looks great!

 

Not cheap??  Isn't it just a question of putting LED bulbs in?

 

The super skoda unit is quite expensive, but I may have some alternatives. Have some single sided LEDS which are great for this type of lighting

1 minute ago, WayTooTall said:

 

Took me a while to get my head around it all. Basically come to this. The only output from the Skoda headunits comes from the speaker wires. That signal has already been through an amp, so this is a high level ouput (loud output). Most aftermarket headunits and home steroes will provide you with a low level ouput (quiet output), that then can be run through an amp to make a high level signal suitable for speakers.

An amp has to be specially designed to take a high level input, and will effectively turn it to a low level signal suitable for the amp. Something like an Audison 4.9 Bit will do this.

Alternatively you can get a Line converter or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to turn the high level to low and then use what ever amp you want. So for a DSP you could get a Audison Bit 10.

 

So in the Octavia I have an Audison Bit One (the Bit 10 big brother) taking the speaker output from the headunit, that then send a signal to my 2 Genesis Amps that in turn is running the speakers and sub.

 

In the BMW is a simpler system of a Audison Bit 10, running another Genesis Amp and just running the front speakers,

 

And in my partners BMW I have an Audison 4.9 Bit doing everything.

 

If you start with the speakers, also budget for some sound deadening for the doors. Basically a heavy sticky sheet you stick to the doors to reduce the amount they vibrate. This will mean you get the most you can from the speakers.

 

Then you can add a 4.9 Bit later and give the speakers the power they really need. Also it can do Time Alignment (driver optimize) and all other adjustments.

 

Whereabout in Sheffield? If you want to come over sometime and listen to the cars, you are more than welcome to. I am up in Crookes.

 

Also if you want to listen to various speakers and talk to an installer, look up Source Sounds in Chapeltown. They know there stuff and did the install in the Octavia.

 

 

Mate that is the single most useful thing I have read so far about a stereo upgrade thanks!  Makes loads of sense.

I suppose my next question is, given, as you say, I am stuck with the Skoda head units for the functionality, why do I need the second amp at all?  I won't be using a low output aftermarket head unit.  Is it because the head unit is permanently set up to give the output required for the installed speakers and this can't be changed to boost signal for the newer, bigger speakers I'll have?  Next question is whether it is actually worth changing the head unit to a "better" model.  It would be a huge outlay.

 

Funnily enough I was already considering going to source sounds in Chap.  I live in Firth Park so it's only just up the road really.  I was also thinking about the sound deadeners.  It's a very loud cabin overall, and the sound from the current setup sounds almost echoey, I wonder how much of that is down to the car acoustics.

It'd be great to meet up thanks!  Do you have days when you are generally free-er than others?

 

Monday evenings tend to be best. I work in Leeds so passing Firth Park is easy.

The reason for the Amp is basically volume. The output from a typical headunit is at best 40W per channel and those figures tend to be optimistic. The Audison will run 70W per channel.

So when you change the stock speakers for something else, you will probably notice a drop in max volume. Basically because the speakers need more power to move them, but they will sound better. Phyisically they are far heavier than the stock unit. Adding a dedicated amp, then gives them the power they really want, and you get the volume back (actually will go louder)
 

Will take you for a run in my Octavia and you can see the difference. Doors have had the sound deadening put in, so you can see what the difference is.

 

The other thing with Source is that you can listen to a variety of speakers, find the ones that suit your taste.

 

I would only change the headunit to another one, if there are features that you really want. My old MIB1 unit didn't have smartlink which I wanted, just so I could easily use things like BBC sounds and Waze. You are really limited in what you can change to, if you want to keep all those menus for the car functions. So that would be the last thing to look at to be honest. And even in really expensive setups, you would have dedicated amps and not use the amp in the headunit.
 

3 hours ago, RobGy said:

Looks great!

 

Not cheap??  Isn't it just a question of putting LED bulbs in?

The SuperSkoda ones are whole units, not just bulbs.

 

Gaz

4 hours ago, WayTooTall said:

Monday evenings tend to be best. I work in Leeds so passing Firth Park is easy.

The reason for the Amp is basically volume. The output from a typical headunit is at best 40W per channel and those figures tend to be optimistic. The Audison will run 70W per channel.

So when you change the stock speakers for something else, you will probably notice a drop in max volume. Basically because the speakers need more power to move them, but they will sound better. Phyisically they are far heavier than the stock unit. Adding a dedicated amp, then gives them the power they really want, and you get the volume back (actually will go louder)
 

Will take you for a run in my Octavia and you can see the difference. Doors have had the sound deadening put in, so you can see what the difference is.

 

The other thing with Source is that you can listen to a variety of speakers, find the ones that suit your taste.

 

I would only change the headunit to another one, if there are features that you really want. My old MIB1 unit didn't have smartlink which I wanted, just so I could easily use things like BBC sounds and Waze. You are really limited in what you can change to, if you want to keep all those menus for the car functions. So that would be the last thing to look at to be honest. And even in really expensive setups, you would have dedicated amps and not use the amp in the headunit.
 

Im equally happy coming to you.  I'm not working Monday so will be around as plans go so far - will message you over the weekend about that, thanks.  Though I'm scared to go in your VRS...it will make me sad for my little 1.6 tdi!  

 

Looking at amps, it looks to be a minimum investment of £2-300 before I get onto speakers and sound deadening.  I wonder if there is a set of speakers that won't drop the power too much (I don't need max volume), but with the sound deadening will give me the increase in quality I need for a the limited budget that I have.  Keeping it under £100 ideally!!

Another thought, if this is even possible... my kids tend to not care about the music that's on, they are wired into their headphones.  Could I use the power going to those speakers and redirect it to the front, so I am getting better sound in the front with none coming from the rear speakers?

 

When I was a kid there was no such thing as speakers in the back of the car anyway....

 

Anyone know of alternatives to the sulperskoda boot leds?? 

They do look great, but I don't fancy spending €40 on them

3 hours ago, Elzer0 said:

 

Anyone know of alternatives to the sulperskoda boot leds?? 

They do look great, but I don't fancy spending €40 on them

Buy cheap, buy twice 

10 hours ago, Elzer0 said:

 

Anyone know of alternatives to the sulperskoda boot leds?? 

They do look great, but I don't fancy spending €40 on them

 

There are alternatives on Aliexpress, which if I remember when I bought them were about £10. I fitted them and they were very good. I then did some reading and there was (an Aussie?) chap who did a comparison of the Aliexpress vs Superskoda and there was very little in it. Superskoda had a 20% off weekend and I opted to buy their boot leds, which are now installed. There is very little in it, except about £25 (plus Superskoda 10 euro delivery) and three week delivery...

 

Link to the Aliexpress ones if you want to review, they're now less than £7: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32791071534.html?mb=3ZewqKOao5xWqN7&srcSns=Email&tid=white_backgroup_101&tt=sns_Other&aff_platform=default&cpt=1571508911370&sk=eWtdqk095&aff_trace_key=0ff32fe654f549cf9db6b307514c2013-1571508911370-07290-eWtdqk095&businessType=ProductDetail&templateId=white_backgroup_101&platform=AE&terminal_id=16017e2d67e047d7937a40e793ae38b0

 

22 minutes ago, Wangarai said:

 

There are alternatives on Aliexpress, which if I remember when I bought them were about £10. I fitted them and they were very good. I then did some reading and there was (an Aussie?) chap who did a comparison of the Aliexpress vs Superskoda and there was very little in it. Superskoda had a 20% off weekend and I opted to buy their boot leds, which are now installed. There is very little in it, except about £25 (plus Superskoda 10 euro delivery) and three week delivery...

 

Link to the Aliexpress ones if you want to review, they're now less than £7: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32791071534.html?mb=3ZewqKOao5xWqN7&srcSns=Email&tid=white_backgroup_101&tt=sns_Other&aff_platform=default&cpt=1571508911370&sk=eWtdqk095&aff_trace_key=0ff32fe654f549cf9db6b307514c2013-1571508911370-07290-eWtdqk095&businessType=ProductDetail&templateId=white_backgroup_101&platform=AE&terminal_id=16017e2d67e047d7937a40e793ae38b0

Perfect, thank you v much. 

 

40 euros is a bit excessive for two small leds... 

 

Almost as bad as Harley davidson and the £400 daymaker / vs £25 knock offs

On 14/10/2019 at 07:00, RobGy said:

I’m more interested in what the interior of my car is like than the outside.  Hit me up with your MkIII Octy internal mods!  Diy or otherwise!!

 

 

i spent a bit on the sound system....