Hi all,

 

I currently have a 2016 Octavia 1.6 TDI. 

I would like to start upgrading stuff on the car and adding extras.

 

Recently I drove a new Seat which had colour leds around the dash and doors. Would really like to fit something similar on the Octavia.

 

If you have any other upgrade suggestions, any advice would be welcome. Not looking to speed loads.

 

Thanks

@SashaGrace is the best person to ask, as most add ons will need to be coded and/or new modules fitting to make it work. That can get expensive.

The LED strips are part of a very complex retrofit that I have done and would not recommend doing!! It’ll involve a new BCM and all the coding fun you’ll have with that, plus the wiring and the strips. All in I’ve spent a fortune on parts, hours on making wiring looms and I’m still chasing a stubborn fault light and the strips are barely bright enough to see. I would focus the effort on another mod.

@SashaGrace thank you for the information, sounds like a lot of effort.

Can you recommend any simple low cost upgrades to start with?

It depends on what you want to do.  Reversing Camera is always a nice one to start off with.  You could go spend *hundreds* at Superskoda.com (although deliveries are somewhat delayed) for official and unofficial bolt-ons.

If you have access to VCDS, you can enable features on your car....upgrade the wheels....

 

Name your budget....

For example, here is the list of my retroffits (Also did something else, but this is the part of "additional equipment". I also did some changes, which are not mentioned here)

It is only google translated from czech

If you want something from this to do on your car, just wrote it and I can tell you, what I needed to do for it.

 

·         Highline parking camera with Trailer Assist support

·         Heated steering wheel with touch sensor and paddles under the steering wheel (from Octavia IV)

·         Wireless charger

·         Heated rear seats

·         Columbus 9.2 ‘‘ from FL Octavia (large glass display)

·         Electric fifth door

·         Virtual pedal

·         Additional independent heating

·         Heated windscreen

·         Added dividing net with mounting on the ceiling

·         Original towing equipment

·         Blind spot and parking assistant

·         Front Assist, including monitoring of the car's surroundings while driving

·         Adaptive cruise control and speed limiter

·         Trailer maneuvering assistant

·         Automatic high beam switch

·         Traffic Sign Recognition

·         Generating engine noise - not working with the engine unit

·         Lane Assist, Adaptive Lane Assist, model 2020

·         Driving profile mode - ECO, COMFORT, NORMAL, SPORT, INDIVIDUAL

·         Black package (mirror caps black, around the front bumper mask behind the black)

·         Digital instrument panel with RS mode option

·         Radio with DAB + digital signal reception, including traffic information reception

·         Media Command and SportHMI functions in infotainment

·         230 V socket including two USB backs

·         rSAP function for LTE signal reception, including the possibility of inserting a SIM card

·         SIMPLE CLEVER elements - bottle opening with one hand, multimedia holder in the center console, umbrella holder under the driver's and front passenger's seats

·         Maneuvering brake

·         Double / raised floor in the trunk

·         Original crossmembers that can be inserted into the raised floor in the trunk

·         Plastics for the chassis to protect the front and rear axles and also to improve aerodynamics

·         Ambient lighting in all doors with interconnection of the driving profile mode

·         Personalization of keys

·         Storage compartment for umbrellas in the trunk

Removable lamp in the case (from Superba FL, lights pure white)

I would really like to install a reversing camera, also a wireless charger and hard wire in dash camera. Footwell lights would be good too.

Where can I find what to order and instructions?

 

Thanks

About the reversing camera, there are two main types. With guide lines or without.
The main difference here in wirings is one thing. 
The reversing camera with static lines needs only "aux" (or how it is called) and one cable, I thing, not sure right now. All is needed to go to the infotainment unit.

Camera with advanced guide lines (moving with steering wheel movement) needs more cables - CAN cables, all is going also to the infotainment unit. This camera needs calibration, but it can also work correctly without the calibration.

The highline camera with advanced guide lines have two types. With or without trailer assist support, but I don't think, that you would retrofit this option.

I am not sure about the instruction and order numbers, but for the camera you need only the wirings and different button with camera in the boot.

 

Wireless charger needs wiring to the fuse box, one cable to infotainment unit and different box under the climatronic.

Footwell lights, don't sure about this, because I had this in the car already. It should be only one cable to BCM (Body Control Unit).

 

All of the retrofit was done with my friends and I did most of the coding, not the installation, so I can't tell you exact instruction and so on.

 

 

@Krosta You've been busy! I have a Kodiaq, but I'd be interested to hear about how you did some of these retrofits:

 

·         Heated steering wheel with touch sensor and paddles under the steering wheel (from Octavia IV)

This wheel is now on the Kodiaq also from MY21, and I really like the look of it. Did you need a new gateway? Do the buttons work ok with your virtual cockpit, or is the virtual cockpit also from Octavia IV? There seems to be some changes in how the VC settings are controlled - I think in Octavia IV all the view options (including the side displays) can be changed from the steering wheel, not needing the settings screen on the infotainment. Not sure if this means the virtual cockpit is also different? ( @SashaGrace - do you know anything about this? I have recently had a VC retrofitted (by Tyrone), but I can't enable the VC settings screen on my radio, as two of the adaptation channels are missing from my MIB 2.0 Columbus. I don't suppose the new Octavia IV steering wheel would be a way to get around this? Or do you know of any other possible ways to customise the side views, beyond the defaults available by holding the view button?)

 

·         Heated rear seats

Did you have to change the whole rear bench for this, or just insert heating pads somehow?

 

·         Additional independent heating

Do you mean auxiliary heating, or tri-zone climatronic? I am interested in retrofitting tri-zone if possible. 

 

 

·         Media Command and SportHMI functions in infotainment

·         230 V socket including two USB backs

·         rSAP function for LTE signal reception, including the possibility of inserting a SIM card

I would love to hear about these also - especially the sim and rSAP retrofit. My Kodiaq (MY17) was one of only a few that got fitted with the old MIB2 Columbus that doesn't have a SIM slot. Most got the MIB2.5 with SIM. Also Media Command - did this need a SWaP code? My list of available FECs is blank, so I'm guessing this also isn't available on MIB2. 

 

Thanks! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the steering wheel:

I have virtual cockpit from Octavia III FL and the buttons on the steering wheel are working (except for the button for travel assist (right top corner button) and I can't change VIEW, everything else is working, the button for heated steering wheel too.

Regarding to coding, I need only to enable the option, that I have the button on steering wheel. 

About the settings on your Columbus regarding VC, you need to have Gateway 3Q0 and it should be working with correct coding (the settings in infotainment)

I don't know about any other workaround. Right know with my friend, we would like to try to create a "translation" unit for LIN communication - example: If you press right left button, it will send to car "VIEW" button click, so far it looks like not possible option, but we will try

 

Heated rear seats - just wirings and add heating pads

Additional independent heating - I mean auxiliary heating and about tri-zone climatronic, I am not sure, what is needed to be change :/

 

rSAP retrofit is consist of two LTE antenas under the rear bumber and coaxial cables to infotainment unit, nothing else

Media Command is SWaP code, but it is not so useful I have used it once, I think. And I think, that it is available for MIB2.5

Thanks @Krosta, really interesting! I have the 3Q0 gateway, but the adaptation channels needed are not available in the infotainment module, so I can't activate the VC settings screen. It's really frustrating. Good luck with the LIN translation unit!

Hmm, this is strange. I am not sure about this, because for me it was "plug and play". Maybe something needs to be done in gateway adaptations, but I am not sure.

And thanks  It looks like, that the LIN is not going to be easy

 

18 hours ago, Teir said:

Do the buttons work ok with your virtual cockpit, or is the virtual cockpit also from Octavia IV? There seems to be some changes in how the VC settings are controlled - I think in Octavia IV all the view options (including the side displays) can be changed from the steering wheel, not needing the settings screen on the infotainment. Not sure if this means the virtual cockpit is also different?

 

If I remember correctly, there are some changes on the MK4 Octavia VC's, namely the no longer have MOST (fibre optic) for the maps display so I doubt they will ever big a good choice for a MK3. At the very least, you'd probably need a MIB3 headunit to get things working properly.

 

11 hours ago, Teir said:

I have the 3Q0 gateway, but the adaptation channels needed are not available in the infotainment module, so I can't activate the VC settings screen. It's really frustrating. Good luck with the LIN translation unit!

 

What headunit have you got and which software do you have? Can you add an autoscan and adaption map of 5F?

 

Much like Krosta, adding the VC and getting the maps etc working was all pretty simple. After adding the fibre optic cable, a few tweaks on 5F and everything was working

On 18/01/2021 at 09:09, langers2k said:

What headunit have you got and which software do you have? Can you add an autoscan and adaption map of 5F?

 

Much like Krosta, adding the VC and getting the maps etc working was all pretty simple. After adding the fibre optic cable, a few tweaks on 5F and everything was working

 

Thanks @langers2k, that's interesting about the changes to the VC. It also suggests that the new steering wheel is never going to be fully compatible with my older model VC, in terms of button functionality, so I will abandon that route. 

 

My headunit is a MIB2 Columbus (on a Kodiaq, not Octavia - I have just wandered over to this forum for advice...), running the latest software available. I knew that the MIB2 wasn't going to be able to send maps to the VC, and I was fine with that. But I didn't realise I also wouldn't be able to have the VC settings menu on the infotainment, so that has been disappointing. The VC install isn't fully completed yet - still waiting on a fibre optic splitter because I have Canton. I can post an autoscan and adaptation map afterwards though, thanks. 

6 minutes ago, Teir said:

It also suggests that the new steering wheel is never going to be fully compatible with my older model VC, in terms of button functionality, so I will abandon that route.

 

Some people make LIN convertors which will take a signal from the MFSW and convert it into something more correct for your vehicle, something like that might be possible for your car  I'm sure I saw something but I can't find it now!

 

1 minute ago, Teir said:

My headunit is a MIB2 Columbus

 

Pretty sure that'll be your problem, you need a MIB2.5 headunit to support the VC.

 

I believe you can have your headunit converted into a MIB2.5 but you might need a new higher resolution (9.2"?) display. At least based on the linked thread below...

 

I know it's for an Octavia but it should be similar for the Kodiaq. I'd drop Pab a PM and see what he can do for you

 

 

4 minutes ago, langers2k said:

Pretty sure that'll be your problem, you need a MIB2.5 headunit to support the VC.

 

I believe you can have your headunit converted into a MIB2.5 but you might need a new higher resolution (9.2"?) display. At least based on the linked thread below...

 

I know it's for an Octavia but it should be similar for the Kodiaq. I'd drop Pab a PM and see what he can do for you

 

 

 

Yeah, I talked to Pawel about this last year, but I actually really like my current screen, with knobs and direct shortcut buttons for everything. It's working fine with the VC otherwise, sending media info, changing ambient colour etc. If I could just customise the settings for the side panels on the VC in the way I wanted, I would be very happy! Oh well...!

27 minutes ago, langers2k said:

Some people make LIN convertors which will take a signal from the MFSW and convert it into something more correct for your vehicle, something like that might be possible for your car  I'm sure I saw something but I can't find it now!

If you can find this, I would be very interested in this. Like I wrote in comment before, we are trying to do a LIN convertor for some buttons between steering wheel from Octavia 3 and Octavia 4.

On 16/01/2021 at 14:27, Krosta said:

For example, here is the list of my retroffits (Also did something else, but this is the part of "additional equipment". I also did some changes, which are not mentioned here)

It is only google translated from czech

If you want something from this to do on your car, just wrote it and I can tell you, what I needed to do for it.

 

 

·         Additional independent heating

 

Tell me more about the heating? I wanted to fit the extra electrical heating element behind my heater matrix but don't have any details on part required.

I don't know about the electrical heating element. I am sorry for this, but it should be correctly "Auxiliary heater" - it is working like a "very small engine" and using petrol/diesel depending on the engine type

10 minutes ago, Krosta said:

I don't know about the electrical heating element. I am sorry for this, but it should be correctly "Auxiliary heater" - it is working like a "very small engine" and using petrol/diesel depending on the engine type

I'm still interested! If you could let me know parts and cost. I have seen them for sale, but not an Octavia specific one...

I think, that you don't need specific for Octavia, it is the same for Golf (and I am sure, that for a lot more). 
I am not sure about the cost, can't remember, I did this retrofit a year ago. I think, that the price for all was around 25 000 Kč (850 £) - I was using parts/units from damaged cars

• small pump, which is going from fuel tank to the auxiliary heater
• pipes to the engine (for water circulation)
• different climatronic with the button for the heater
• different aerial (antenna) on the roof
• auxiliary heater unit (and holder)
• coaxial cable for connection between roof antenna and the auxiliary heater unit
• wiring of course
• remote control for auxiliary heater
• coding/adaptation of course
• Auxiliary heater itself with exhaust pipe

I am not sure, if this is the full list, but I think, that you could see, how many parts you need

This list is written based on my car (EU car, on UK it could be maybe on the other side)

• auxiliary heater is in front right side under the head lamp
• auxiliary heater unit is on the left side of the boot

I can't remember about any other useful information for you

And based on the list of units in my car I have auxiliary heater unit 5Q0 963 272 J and remote control 3Q0 963 513.

I hope, I helped you a little with this

1 hour ago, Krosta said:

I think, that you don't need specific for Octavia, it is the same for Golf (and I am sure, that for a lot more). 
I am not sure about the cost, can't remember, I did this retrofit a year ago. I think, that the price for all was around 25 000 Kč (850 £) - I was using parts/units from damaged cars

• small pump, which is going from fuel tank to the auxiliary heater
• pipes to the engine (for water circulation)
• different climatronic with the button for the heater
• different aerial (antenna) on the roof
• auxiliary heater unit (and holder)
• coaxial cable for connection between roof antenna and the auxiliary heater unit
• wiring of course
• remote control for auxiliary heater
• coding/adaptation of course
• Auxiliary heater itself with exhaust pipe

I am not sure, if this is the full list, but I think, that you could see, how many parts you need

This list is written based on my car (EU car, on UK it could be maybe on the other side)

• auxiliary heater is in front right side under the head lamp
• auxiliary heater unit is on the left side of the boot

I can't remember about any other useful information for you

And based on the list of units in my car I have auxiliary heater unit 5Q0 963 272 J and remote control 3Q0 963 513.

I hope, I helped you a little with this

 

Yes, thank you, I will take a look...

 

Nick

@NikTheGeek - you're thinking of the PTC aux heater which as you say, is a 1KW electric element that sits in the HVAC system,

 

I fitted one to my MK2 TDi Octavia and it certainly helped speed up warming the cabin through.

 

As always, it looks like our Russian friends have got more info:

- MK3 Octavia https://www.drive2.ru/l/494265662131142870/

- MK7 Golf https://www.drive2.ru/l/6009181/

- MK7 Golf + possible coding? https://www.drive2.ru/l/4946153/

13 hours ago, langers2k said:

@NikTheGeek - you're thinking of the PTC aux heater which as you say, is a 1KW electric element that sits in the HVAC system,

 

I fitted one to my MK2 TDi Octavia and it certainly helped speed up warming the cabin through.

 

As always, it looks like our Russian friends have got more info:

- MK3 Octavia https://www.drive2.ru/l/494265662131142870/

- MK7 Golf https://www.drive2.ru/l/6009181/

- MK7 Golf + possible coding? https://www.drive2.ru/l/4946153/

 

Was it a big job? I figured at the worst you could fit it and wire it via a relay, but then it wouldn't be an option in the infotainment screen and the car wouldn't be able to account for the unusual power drain. So I guess you have to do it properly.

 

That said, with covid restrictions, I've not exactly been using it much anyway!!

 

Nick

There are two PTC versions, a 'dumb' and 'smart' version.

 

The 'dumb' one uses relays and is controlled by the engine ECU so you have the security cage to deal with.

 

Due to that, I opted for the the 'smart' version which has a CAN-bus controller built in so needed CAN-bus (rear of HVAC was easy) and 100a feed/ground. The only hard part was running the wires through the firewall as they were so chunky.

 

I wasn't able to find much about the MQB 'smart' version... It seems to be 5Q0963235A looking at https://www.drive2.ru/b/519507975203717934/ although it's not entirely clear where the LIN connection goes or what coding is needed