Hi there

New to Briskoda but I've been a Skoda driver the last 5 years in my trusty Red Fabia SE 2010.

I'm looking to sell that now to fund a new car, I've long loved the mk2 estate Octavia. And I've seen a couple of people on here and YouTube have retrofitted a MFSW, PLA 2.0 as well as some other bits.

I'd like to do this as well but I'm trying to find a compatible car so I hope you can help please.

I'm looking for a Octavia Elegance 2011/2012 (that I can retrofit PLA to) and that had an MFSW from the factory? Was this an option as all the ones I've found on Autotrader and eBay so far appear to not have MFSWs or be very rare at least (think I found one with an MFSW) but none with PLA.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if you know of any Petrol Octavia estates that have on of these I'd be really grateful.

Thank you

The MFSW and maxi-dot cluster (also needed for PLA 2.0) were both options on the Elegance in 2011/2012. They do exist as my '61 plate Elegance had both factory fitted

 

You should also check which ABS pump is fitted too, you'll need a MK60EC1 pump for PLA 2.0 but most manual gearbox cars probably have a MK70m pump. The main difference is that the MK70m only supports ABS and traction control whereas the MK60EC1 add stability control (ESP incl. ABS, MBA, MSR, ASR, EDL, HBA).

 

To make things more fun, the software version on both the cluster and ABS pump need to be new enough to support PLA 2.0.

 

I've added a brouchure from late 2011 for you to look at

 

Skoda Octavia 2011-11.pdf

Ah wonderful thank you very much Langers2k. Would you recommend I go for an automatic car in that case then? Or can I still achieve PLA with a manual gearbox car.:)

Is it hard to update the software versions on the maxidot cluster and abspumps?

PLA will work perfectly fine with a manual gearbox with the right ABS pump. Even if it does have a MK70m fitted, it's not super hard to retrofit a MK60EC1 but you'll need to either modify the wiring loom or make an adaptor. Manual vs DSG is a personal choice, DSG boxes need servicing and can be expensive if they go wrong but make for an easier drive

 

As for the software versions, it'll depend what version it currently has. I believe the following is true:

- Maxi-dots can be updated from SW:04xx to SW:06xx but it'll need the cluster EEPROM tweaking afterwards

- BJ rev or newer ABS pumps are needed for PLA, BE rev and newer can be flashed

 

Older versions have different hardware so cannot be updated. The files can be downloaded from Skoda/VW but you'll need something like ODIS-e or VCP to perform the updates.

 

I would expect a MY12 would probably have the correct software versions but could be hit and miss on a MY11. 'MY' stands for Model Year which is when the car was made, Skoda MY's tend to start in September so a MY12 is probably a 61 or 12 plate and a MY11 is probably a 60 or 11 plate. Worth checking the VIN and software levels before you buy a car as it'll give you a better idea of how much work is involved.

PLA: This car I intend on making a techfest so a little modification to the wiringloom etc would actually be awesome and really be eager to learn about that!  Want to document it on here as I've got big plans!

Ahh thanks re: The Maxidot I've got my eye on a 2012 Manual gearbox 1.8 TFSI Octavia Scout at the moment, so fingers crossed that'll do the trick.

Going to try and see it this week,. Don't there a VIN Decoder I might be able to use to check certain bits please? 

Thanks once again for your help and once I get an Octavia I'll send you some photos