Hi Guys,

I have just picked up my 2014 Skoda FABIA 1.2TSI SE with 26k miles on the clock, and I am loving it.

Unfortunately, it was not particularly high spec, with the green display not being Maxidot on the dash, no reversing sensors, and the swing radio with aux as shown below.

I am looking to add Bluetooth, as I don't think I have it from the factory. In the radio menu, there is the option to enable it, but when enabled, it still won't show in the media option. Am I doing something wrong, or do I just not have BT?

If I don't have it, I'm looking to retrofit it or enable it with VCDS. I'm not sure if it's possible or even worth it, to be honest. I have seen this https://usb-nachruesten.de/buetooth-interface-adapter-vw-skoda-seat-rns310-rns315-rns510-rcd310-rcd510-amundsen-bolero-columbus-swing-retrofit and also a lot of references to a 9W2 module.

What would I need to do to do this modification, and is there a way I can check if the module is already there or if the radio already has BT but it needs enabling?

Thanks for any help.

Don’t waste your time adding just the Bluetooth unit. The Swing radio is dreadful. Remove the radio, and source either an Amundsen (RNS-315) or a Columbus (RNS-510) - both of which come in variants with an integrated Bluetooth module (and both of which are cheap because VW has stopped producing new map updates for them.

Not only is this a factory-fit drop in upgrade, this approach will 1) add the missing Bluetooth capability to your car, 2) still keep it to factory specs and 3) you will be amazed how much better the audio output from both of those head units is compared to the Swing.

I have had a look at them, especialy the 510 as it is a similar style and in my opinion it looks better. what are the drawbacks of the RCD-510 as opposed to the RNS-510 or is it just the lack of navigation as i prefer google maps any ways.

As my car is lacking the maxidot will this affect its functionality? This is my main reason for looking to just add bluetooth to the swing as i dont need the extra bells and whistles just the ability to play out of the car speakers without having cables everywhere.

If i were to retrofit bluetooth to it what would i need and same for the radios a found a couple of tutorials but they were all for maxidot or lacked any information at all (or at least were not in english).

Thank you so much for the help its greatly appreciated.

Not having Maxidot is not a problem. I did this upgrade in my mum’s poverty spec Fabia II Combi (switching from a Swing to an RNs-315 with integrated Bluetooth module).

Without Maxidot you can’t get turn-by-turn in the instrument cluster, that’s all. Making the change doesn’t break anything.

Making the move from a Swing to either an RNS-315 or RNS-510 (with integrated Bluetooth): you’ll need the head unit (obviously), a magnetic GPS antenna (this goes on the metal crossmember behind the dashboard) and the Skoda mic that fits inside the roof light cluster. It’s plug and play after that. Plenty of guides on here in this very sub forum. Also look in the Skoda Rapid forum, many members there (inc me) have also done the same upgrade.

I can’t comment on the RCD-510.

I’ve been having a think about upgrading my swing radio for little while to something with a bit more radio capability, as the FM only is a little modest. I enjoy listening sport⚽️ at weekend if I’m around & about also having the ability to switch to other stations that might only/mostly be on DAB now would be a bonus. Sound isn’t an issue as when playing the odd cd it’s quite decent tbh..

I’ve got a Bluetooth plug-in adapter/charger-which also has multi USB ports-plugged in2 the cigarette lighter/charger port so I can connect my phone via this & blank fm frequency on radio, but switching is the obvious awkward hurdle.

Also while looking at models mentioned above they only seem be android compatible. Is this changeable or are there alternative models that are apple compatible?

Fabia mk2 64

Thanks in advance 🙂

3 minutes ago, DaveM9 said:

I’ve been having a think about upgrading my swing radio for little while to something with a bit more radio capability, as the FM only is a little modest. I enjoy listening sport⚽️ at weekend if I’m around & about also having the ability to switch to other stations that might only/mostly be on DAB now would be a bonus. Sound isn’t an issue as when playing the odd cd it’s quite decent tbh..

I’ve got a Bluetooth plug-in adapter/charger-which also has multi USB ports-plugged in2 the cigarette lighter/charger port so I can connect my phone via this & blank fm frequency on radio, but switching is the obvious awkward hurdle.

Also while looking at models mentioned above they only seem be android compatible. Is this changeable or are there alternative models that are apple compatible?

Fabia mk2 64

Thanks in advance 🙂

Depends what you mean on android/apple compatibility?

We have two RNS-315s with Bluetooth and DAB+ in our Fabias. They both connect up to iPhones fine over bluetooth, and music played over it sounds good, only problem seems to be it's much quieter than an internal CD. DAB is great on both. You need to be careful when getting an RNS-315 as not all of them have DAB; our Monte Carlo had an RNS 315 but no DAB originally.

You can get away with a windscreen DAB and internal GPS aerial but I actually ran the wiring through the headlining on our new one and bought the proper sharkfin DAB aerial for it.

Hmm thanks,that’s something else I’ve contemplated the shark fin aerial🫣 as my car is black(might enhance the look) & just has the standard rubber aerial at rear naturally..

When I searched for a compatible radio & inputted make & model it wouldn’t give me any choices that had apple connectivity-only android or undefined 🤷🏻‍♂️ On eBay btw…

Would there be any wiring difference for the DAB aerial from standard btw?

Yes there's an extra cable to run. You specifically need a 6R0035501D which I got from cars-equipment (https://www.cars-equipment.com/en/shop/roof-antenna-8/oem-6r0035501d-vw-skoda-roof-shark/ - took weeks to arrive IIRC), most of the sharkfin aerials don't have DAB.

You'd need to run DAB and GPS wires down through the headlining and then behind the glove box which is a fair bit more work than windscreen mount aerial.