Hi everyone,

 

I've just bought a 2012 Octavia L&K and want to find the best way to upgrade the stereo. 

 

Currently has a Bolero with internal 6 cd changer fitted. I'd like to upgrade to something with DAB, Bluetooth and possibly but not essential GPS and maps. 

 

As far as I understand it, i have to upgrade the head unit for a 315 or a 510 plus I'd have to install a mic and a dab aerial and possibly a GPS unit. 

 

So what should I be aware Of? I can already see that there are different versions of the head units even with the same number. The sockets on the back are different eg there's an extra blue one for a DAB aerial, and it looks like one for either an aux or usb input may be added as well.  

 

Are these units plug and play or do they have to be configured to the vehicle. Is there a repository of guides to help? Yes I've looked. I now know how to remove the Bolero which is a start! Are there experts in this dark art that are recommended? I live in Putney SW15 if it's relevant. 

 

All help gratefully received. It's nice to be here as a first time Skoda owner. 

Have you thought about aftermarket options?

 

I went for a 10" Android stereo in the end.

 

Much better functionality than the stock Skoda units which are getting a bit dated now.

 

It is fully integrated and shows climate Display, reverse parking lines etc.

 

I swapped out the rear aerial amplifier for the side window which now provides DAB to the stereo.

On 14/07/2021 at 18:17, Wondermouse said:

Hi everyone,

 

I've just bought a 2012 Octavia L&K and want to find the best way to upgrade the stereo. 

 

Currently has a Bolero with internal 6 cd changer fitted. I'd like to upgrade to something with DAB, Bluetooth and possibly but not essential GPS and maps. 

 

I'd be a bit surprised if an L & K didn't have bluetooth. If there is a box/plastic case under the driver's seat, you probably have it, even if you don't have it covered in the manual/know how to use it, etc.

 

If you wanted a Skoda head unit with sat nav, those are usually the ones named after explorers, etc. 

 

The route Phil-E has gone down has some interesting properties. An aftermarket android head unit will usually have GPS (and need some program (eg google maps) to turn that in to a fully-fledged sat nav. It may also have DAB (probably an external box, that may be included), and it will probably have bluetooth. Maybe even a reversing camera included (although watch out for the adverts that imply it has X, Y and Z, only to find out that you have to pay extra for those features.

 

One of the big things is whether the unit is reliable; you seem to get a generous list of features for your money, but some of the producers/units are hardly paragons of reliability, so you will really want to know that at least one other person has had success with the unit.

 

One other thing that is common with aftermarket unis is a subwoofer output, and while I believe that the speakers are the biggest thing holding a Bolero's sound back, if you want to fix that, a sub out would be a step in the right direction. 

On 15/07/2021 at 22:06, Phil-E said:

Have you thought about aftermarket options?

 

I went for a 10" Android stereo in the end.

 

Much better functionality than the stock Skoda units which are getting a bit dated now.

 

It is fully integrated and shows climate Display, reverse parking lines etc.

 

I swapped out the rear aerial amplifier for the side window which now provides DAB to the stereo.

ive got th ambusden+ only thing letting it down is the maps, been looking for a while for a HU,

did you use the stock speakers?

how is the sound quality?

standard fit?

are the the steering buttons working?

 

link please, thank you😄