I have been thinking of changing my 2015 Mk3 1.4 DSG Estate and after much thought I am nearly decided on the new 1.4 TSI iv PHEV Estate. There are a few  questions I am sure a current owner could answer.

 

I have on my mk3 MIB1  satnav, and music from a USB drive, and hands-free phone via Bluetooth. Radio I use very rarely. The configurator states ‘Skoda Connect Remote access 1 year and infotainment online 1 year'.

1 .I have a Samsung Android running #11 software. The config’ also states under radio, telephone and navigation : Bluetooth and Wireless smartlink for apple carplay only (Wired for Android Auto and mirror link) I assume by this I need to plug a cable into the phone and the car in order for the car to see the phone. And:

2.  Does this mean that hands-free Bluetooth  will no longer work after the 1 year, likewise no satnav after 1 year?

3. To use the online function in my Samsung when out and about I have to use ‘Mobile Data’  and on my BT deal I get 4gb of data but I have no idea of what that means in real life usage, I see many people using mobiles for Google Maps and satnav, but for how long is that possible on a 4gb deal? A 2hr, 10hr journey or what?

4. The Config’ also states a ‘Columbus satellite navigation & 10” touchscreen’ so that seems to say navigation is by satellite and so not by mobile data and not with a 4gb restriction. Clarification would be helpful!

 

5. Also under Radio, telephone and navigation it lists  2 x USB C ports for charging and data transfer, it that one port for charging and one for data or can both ports be used for charging or  data transfer? If I have my music USB connected  to one port can I connect my Android to the other port and use Google mapping?

 

6.  I have noted there seems to be various pricing for this Connect service, from £36 to £80 a year for, err, what? The config’ is very vague and uninformative. Services may differ according to Country, car , model, year, technology, weather, mood of the car, and similar ‘get out of jail’ cards. Okay, maybe not all of those but it feels like it. Seems most services these days are now only available on subscription, just more ways of screwing more £ notes out of the user.  

 

Thank you in advance.

Dunno why it still says that Android auto isn't wireless, on new models it should be wireless.

Remote access is an app to use functions from outside the car and online infotainment is online radio. 

I think satnav will work, but without traffic updates and stuff like that. Not a 100% on that.

 

3 hours ago, zetzet said:

Dunno why it still says that Android auto isn't wireless, on new models it should be wireless.

Remote access is an app to use functions from outside the car and online infotainment is online radio. 

I think satnav will work, but without traffic updates and stuff like that. Not a 100% on that.

 

In Australia all options are bundled into one "Premium Pack" for $6000+ so I have all of the options.

Except here they do not offer the Skoda Connect so the mobile connection is my phone - which is fine by me since that is already paid for.

I find that the traffic updates, such as warnings of parked cars or police ahead, come through.

The Skoda satnav works too, and I prefer it to Android Auto, although I do have some faults with it for which have been waiting over 2 months for a fix.

And, when I do use Android Auto, it works wirelessly with my Google Pixel 3a.

 

AIUI wireless Android Auto needs a 5GHz WiFi link to work, earlier builds of the Octavia Mk4 and Android phones had on 2.4GHz hence they need a cable in some cases. Later cars and phones should work wirelessly.

After a year I think we can use mobile data for the online services and the app - haven’t got that far yet! Bluetooth is Bluetooth so should be impacted by the 1 year. Note though, that if you connect with Android Auto you probably can’t connect the phone in the ‘tradional’ Bluetooth manner as well (certainly the case the CarPlay). Instead, use the phone though AA or CarPlay, including the voice control.

I use mobile data for streaming music though Spotify and Apple/Google Maps or Waze via CarPlay. Data usage for me is about 3GB a month with about 1500-1800 miles in that time. Your 4GB may be enough depending on your mileage etc.

The two USB-C ports in teh from are both power and data. So either can be used for a memory stick or a phone connection/charging. The ports in teh back are power only, as is the open near the rear view mirror.

I’m yet to work out the data connection services, whether they are worthwhile or wither to use my mobile contract. Having the car as a hot spot has a certain appeal - but at what cost?

 

Hope that helps….