I have a 65 plate Skoda Fabia S Model.  I'd like to get Apple Carplay in it.  The dealership says my best option would be to get a second hand radio unit from a higher model which they can then install carplay on.  Does anyone know if this is correct? and If so, which Radio model will I need?

On 06/11/2020 at 16:30, nickwa said:

I have a 65 plate Skoda Fabia S Model.  I'd like to get Apple Carplay in it.  The dealership says my best option would be to get a second hand radio unit from a higher model which they can then install carplay on.  Does anyone know if this is correct? and If so, which Radio model will I need?

2015 Fabias never came with Car Play, so you will need the new radio screen and control box. (they are two parts on the Fabias)

 

You will need to find the radio up to 2017 as after that they facelifted the Fabias and not sure if those radios will work 100%. 

 

Radio screen - 6V0919604B

Radio Control - 5Q0035842B

 

Link to example sale - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Skoda-Fabia-MK3-NJ-5-DOOR-HATCHBACK-Radio-Kit-5Q0035842B/233746927756?hash=item366c67108c:g:nfYAAOSw7K9fiHMg (NO CODE supplied so skoda would need to sort) 

 

On 07/11/2020 at 16:53, JGrindel said:

2015 Fabias never came with Car Play, so you will need the new radio screen and control box. (they are two parts on the Fabias)

 

Just a detail there - as I have a "borderline" 2015 Fabia. CarPlay became a possibility after Week 21 2015 - which was the end of May 2015 ( the MY16 changeover date ). 

 

If prior to that, my memory of it is, that it is not possible, at all, to fit a VW/SKODA unit with CarPlay ability. There was a lot of angry people on the forum here, back then.

After that date, it is possible.

The radio you need to look for @nickwa is a Bolero or Columbus. As JGrindel says, you will need to bring it to aSkoda dealer to have the Carplay/Smartlink Coding activated. Ignore the Mirrorlink part as it's almost useless.

A Skoda dealer will also be able to tell you, if you don't already know, the exact build date for the car. Maybe its on your handbook, or the Skoda App, if you put the VIN number in.

 

Hope you have success with it @nickwa

4 hours ago, CapstanPlug said:

Bolero or Columbus

Or Amundsen !

9 hours ago, CapstanPlug said:

 

Just a detail there - as I have a "borderline" 2015 Fabia. CarPlay became a possibility after Week 21 2015 - which was the end of May 2015 ( the MY16 changeover date ). 

 

If prior to that, my memory of it is, that it is not possible, at all, to fit a VW/SKODA unit with CarPlay ability. There was a lot of angry people on the forum here, back then.

After that date, it is possible.

The radio you need to look for @nickwa is a Bolero or Columbus. As JGrindel says, you will need to bring it to aSkoda dealer to have the Carplay/Smartlink Coding activated. Ignore the Mirrorlink part as it's almost useless.

A Skoda dealer will also be able to tell you, if you don't already know, the exact build date for the car. Maybe its on your handbook, or the Skoda App, if you put the VIN number in.

 

Hope you have success with it @nickwa

 

Hi, just looked up my VIN number and it came up with these details:

 

General Information

Make	Skoda
Model year	2016
Manufactured in	Czech Republic

 

Cant find any details on the exact date of manufacture (checked the car and the handbook).

 

1 hour ago, nickwa said:

 

Hi, just looked up my VIN number and it came up with these details:

 

General Information

Make	Skoda
Model year	2016
Manufactured in	Czech Republic

 

Cant find any details on the exact date of manufacture (checked the car and the handbook).

 

 

OK, that's very clear then - it's an "MY2016" = Manufacturing Year 2016, which started May 2015. So it will definitely have the capacity to take a SmartLink capable radio.

 

I take it that it's the "Swing" radio that you have ? The one with 3 buttons on each side of the touch-screen.

 

The very basic unit, the "Blues", just has a digital readout and not a touchscreen. 

 

So, you get a MY16 compatible Bolero, Amundsen ( not sure if Columbus was supplied in Fabia, but they should work, though they might be expensive to buy.)

 

If you have a little time, have a browse on the Forum here, particularly from late 2015, and on to 2016 and 2017+ ... I seem to remember somebody having the part number for the correct Bolero unit.

 

**** And also ... the Part number for the Bolero unit to avoid !!! ****

 

It's been a while since I've been here on the forum, and I can't remember the names of the people posting these details.   

 

On 07/11/2020 at 16:53, JGrindel said:

2015 Fabias never came with Car Play, so you will need the new radio screen and control box. (they are two parts on the Fabias)

 

You will need to find the radio up to 2017 as after that they facelifted the Fabias and not sure if those radios will work 100%. 

 

Radio screen - 6V0919604B

Radio Control - 5Q0035842B

 

Link to example sale - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Skoda-Fabia-MK3-NJ-5-DOOR-HATCHBACK-Radio-Kit-5Q0035842B/233746927756?hash=item366c67108c:g:nfYAAOSw7K9fiHMg (NO CODE supplied so skoda would need to sort) 

 

 

11 hours ago, CapstanPlug said:

 

OK, that's very clear then - it's an "MY2016" = Manufacturing Year 2016, which started May 2015. So it will definitely have the capacity to take a SmartLink capable radio.

 

I take it that it's the "Swing" radio that you have ? The one with 3 buttons on each side of the touch-screen.

 

The very basic unit, the "Blues", just has a digital readout and not a touchscreen. 

 

So, you get a MY16 compatible Bolero, Amundsen ( not sure if Columbus was supplied in Fabia, but they should work, though they might be expensive to buy.)

 

If you have a little time, have a browse on the Forum here, particularly from late 2015, and on to 2016 and 2017+ ... I seem to remember somebody having the part number for the correct Bolero unit.

 

**** And also ... the Part number for the Bolero unit to avoid !!! ****

 

It's been a while since I've been here on the forum, and I can't remember the names of the people posting these details.   

 

 

Thanks for that @CapstanPlug  But ive just had a look through and I cant find the part numbers to look out for on the forum.  Any chance @JGrindel would know?

2 hours ago, nickwa said:

 

 

Thanks for that @CapstanPlug  But ive just had a look through and I cant find the part numbers to look out for on the forum.  Any chance @JGrindel would know?

 

 

Ok - Try here :  

 

 

On 11/11/2020 at 10:30, nickwa said:

 

 

Thanks for that @CapstanPlug  But ive just had a look through and I cant find the part numbers to look out for on the forum.  Any chance @JGrindel would know?

I attached the part numbers needed above in my original post. 

 

Radio screen - 6V0919604B

Radio Control - 5Q0035842B

 

On 15/11/2020 at 20:09, JGrindel said:

I attached the part numbers needed above in my original post. 

 

Radio screen - 6V0919604B

Radio Control - 5Q0035842B

 

Thanks for that, just bought a radio screen off of ebay, hope it works!