Hi All, 

 

I’ve just got a SKODA Rapid and I’m looking at upgrading the stereo unit to have Apple CarPlay in it.

I spoke to the dealership near me Citygate and they said that I wouldn’t be able buy one from a salvage unit or buy a new unit to put in the car.

Has anybody put an aftermarket unit into their car?

Are they easy to install?

Will my MFD still work as normal?

Is the dealership right about me not being able to install a salvage unit? As I've seen other rapids with a Skoda CarPlay unit in them.

 

Also, My MFD doesn't have a digital speedometer. I had a look online and there are a few guides on how to activate it but apparently it needs to be wired up to a VAG-COM Coder? 

I again asked the Citygate dealership if they would be able to activate the digital speedo to which they said no. They don't have the tools to do so.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm loving my little Rapid! So much I've named him. 

 

 

Rapid big MPH display can be done with Carista App on their free trial... (if you have access to a compatible OBDII reader that is)

 

Post mid-2015 OEM Rapid / Toledo Head units are incompatible with your car, so you're best off putting an aftermarket Android in.

 

Those on here that have done it report the steering wheel control buttons still work probably the MFD too.

member on here @WolfyWesty has fitted an android big screen head unit successfully to a Rapid.

Hi, thanks for the help. 
I’ll have a chat with my local VAG specialist garage and see if it’s something they can do. (I don’t have the OBDII reader) as for the stereo I’ve bought an aftermarket one to pop in the car from Halfords. Having it installed on the weekend.

Thanks for the advice. 

On 15/01/2021 at 19:38, Morrididdle said:

Hi All, 

 

I’ve just got a SKODA Rapid and I’m looking at upgrading the stereo unit to have Apple CarPlay in it.

I spoke to the dealership near me Citygate and they said that I wouldn’t be able buy one from a salvage unit or buy a new unit to put in the car.

Has anybody put an aftermarket unit into their car?

Are they easy to install?

Will my MFD still work as normal?

Is the dealership right about me not being able to install a salvage unit? As I've seen other rapids with a Skoda CarPlay unit in them.

 

Also, My MFD doesn't have a digital speedometer. I had a look online and there are a few guides on how to activate it but apparently it needs to be wired up to a VAG-COM Coder? 

I again asked the Citygate dealership if they would be able to activate the digital speedo to which they said no. They don't have the tools to do so.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm loving my little Rapid! So much I've named him. 

 

Has anybody put an aftermarket unit into their car?

I've installed an aftermarket/third party Android unit in my 2014 Rapid. The exact model isn't made anymore, but have a look at https://audiotechdirect.com/ as that's where I got mine from. If you're unsure about which units will fit, the customer service is brilliant and they'll happily point you in the right direction. They even do the dashboard surround for the Rapid (looks identical to the standard dashboard) so it all fits together nicely. The head units come with Sat Nav, Wifi, DAB/DAB+ and a whole host of other things. Because they are Android, you can download any App through Google Play. 

 

Are they easy to install?

Yes. You just pry off the plastic surround and there are 4 Torx screws to undo, then the head unit just wiggles out. unclip the looms at the back and you're ready for install - Same process but in reverse. You may need to check if you need any additional cables, I needed a converter for the AM/FM antenna. 

 

Will my MFD still work as normal?

Not had any issues with mine. All the buttons on the steering wheel worked straight away as well (though there is an option on the unit to assign buttons if you get any issues). 

 

Is the dealership right about me not being able to install a salvage unit?

I asked my local Dealership a similar question and got told the only unit I could have was  Kenwood unit, at a cost of £1000 including them installing it.