Hey all,

First time posting here, I’m picking up a 2003 mk3 Octavia soon with the bolero head unit but would really like to get Apple car play.

I’ve seen loads of Android units but I’m a fan of keeping thinks as OEM as possible.

Is there a “best” way to equip Apple car play on the Bolero head unit?

Would I be best to upgrade to another OEM unit?

I’ve use the Apple Car Play modules in the past that are like a match box that you stuff behind the head unit and uses the AUX channel.

Sorry if this has been covered before but I can’t see an obvious way to do this with being new to Skoda.

Thanks! :)

25 minutes ago, TenaciousLee said:

I’m picking up a 2003 mk3 Octavia

A 2003 car is a mk 1 and won't have a Bolero.

As above, is it a 2013 mk3 or a 2003 mk1? There’s… a lot.. of differences 🤔

5 minutes ago, mac11irl said:

As above, is it a 2013 mk3 or a 2003 mk1? There’s… a lot.. of differences 🤔

I think the OP may have made a typo in his post?

Yup, Sorry guys, it’s a 2013… my bad

Good start to joining the forum 😂

1 hour ago, TenaciousLee said:

Yup, Sorry guys, it’s a 2013… my bad

Good start to joining the forum 😂

A 2013 Mk1 will have a MIB1 Bolero, no MIB1 unit can have CarPlay enabled. If you want an OEM solution then you need to replace your MIB1 Bolero with a MIB2 unit from a 2015 on Mk3. Best person to ask is @pab567 so I've tagged him.

Pls ahare VIN

9 minutes ago, pab567 said:

Pls ahare VIN

Thanks for the reply!

Will do, not due to collect until Tuesday so will pop back into the thread when I have it. 👍🏼

OK

On 27/09/2025 at 16:21, pab567 said:

OK

So collected Octavia yesterday. The VIN is

“TMBBB7NEXD0xxxxxx”

Currently have the Bolero head unit.

Thanks in advance Pab 👍🏼

So now you have Bolero MIB1, with Bluetooth, with DAB, part number 5E0035842, with USB 5Q0035726B and fortunately you don't have CANTON sound system.

You can install one of four different OEM glove box units:

- MIB2 Bolero

- MIB2 Amundsen

- MIB2 Columbus

- MIB2.5 Columbus

You also need to replace display unit:

- for MIB2 Bolero you can use either 6.5" model number 5E0919605H or 8" model number 5E0919605N

- for MIB2 Amundsen and MIB2 Columbus you can use listed above display as well as 6.5" model number 5E0919605J, 8" model number 5E0919606, 8" model number 5E0919605M

- for MIB2.5 Columbus the only display unit that works is 5E0919606D

If you would like to use Apple CarPlay then you also have to replace USB port.

The question is what is your budget and which of listed below features are "must have":

- Video playback from DVD, USB, SD

- CD playback

- OEM navigation

- displaying OEM maps in Virtual Cluster (Active Info Display).

All units support SmartLink (Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink), rear view camera, voice command. features that differ them:

- MIB2 Bolero - no OEM navigation, no CD/DVD drive, no video playback from SD/USB

- MIB2 Amundsen - OEM navigation, no CD/DVD drive, no video playback from SD/USB, support for displaying OEM maps in Active Info Display (Virtual Cluster)

- MIB2 Columbus - OEM navigation, CD/DVD drive, video playback from SD/USB, no support for displaying OEM maps in Active Info Display (Virtual Cluster)

- MIB2.5 Columbus - OEM navigation, CD/DVD drive, video playback from SD/USB, support for displaying OEM maps in Active Info Display (Virtual Cluster)

1 hour ago, pab567 said:

So now you have Bolero MIB1, with Bluetooth, with DAB, part number 5E0035842, with USB 5Q0035726B and fortunately you don't have CANTON sound system.

You can install one of four different OEM glove box units:

- MIB2 Bolero

- MIB2 Amundsen

- MIB2 Columbus

- MIB2.5 Columbus

You also need to replace display unit:

- for MIB2 Bolero you can use either 6.5" model number 5E0919605H or 8" model number 5E0919605N

- for MIB2 Amundsen and MIB2 Columbus you can use listed above display as well as 6.5" model number 5E0919605J, 8" model number 5E0919606, 8" model number 5E0919605M

- for MIB2.5 Columbus the only display unit that works is 5E0919606D

If you would like to use Apple CarPlay then you also have to replace USB port.

The question is what is your budget and which of listed below features are "must have":

- Video playback from DVD, USB, SD

- CD playback

- OEM navigation

- displaying OEM maps in Virtual Cluster (Active Info Display).

All units support SmartLink (Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink), rear view camera, voice command. features that differ them:

- MIB2 Bolero - no OEM navigation, no CD/DVD drive, no video playback from SD/USB

- MIB2 Amundsen - OEM navigation, no CD/DVD drive, no video playback from SD/USB, support for displaying OEM maps in Active Info Display (Virtual Cluster)

- MIB2 Columbus - OEM navigation, CD/DVD drive, video playback from SD/USB, no support for displaying OEM maps in Active Info Display (Virtual Cluster)

- MIB2.5 Columbus - OEM navigation, CD/DVD drive, video playback from SD/USB, support for displaying OEM maps in Active Info Display (Virtual Cluster)

That the best reply I’ve ever had on any forum. Thanks so much for the info.

I have no interest in
- Video playback from DVD, USB, SD

- CD playback

- OEM navigation

- displaying OEM maps in Virtual Cluster

For me, Apple Car Play sits top of the list and will be probably the only feature I use.

I just have two questions:

• Regarding the USB port that needs swapping out, is this the one that sits below the A/C controls? And what would it need swapping for?

• If I was to choose from the list you provided, would any of this kit need coding in order to work? I’ve heard sometimes vehicle info screens may not work (showing mpg etc)?

Again, appreciate the response and help!

Cheers

Lee

Yes, this is the USB below the A/C controls.

From your post I can see Bolero 5Q0035842x (x - any letter A, B or C) or 565035842 is enough, the question is on the display (both 6.5" and 8" have the same resolution 800x480 pixels). I can prepare such unit in Plug &Play version if required.

I managed to find a 5E0919605M display with a MIB2 Amundsen for £250.

I’m still searching for the USB.

The MIB2 USB ports I see seem to be for Golfmk7, which looks slightly different to the Octavia mk3.

I’m the process of trying to figure out how to remove the USB panel too 😂

On 01/10/2025 at 20:41, pab567 said:

Yes, this is the USB below the A/C controls.

From your post I can see Bolero 5Q0035842x (x - any letter A, B or C) or 565035842 is enough, the question is on the display (both 6.5" and 8" have the same resolution 800x480 pixels). I can prepare such unit in Plug &Play version if required.

I have the new MIB2 Amundsen unit and 5E0919605M display from the list.

However the LVDS cable that is in the car is a different shape to the port on the 5E0919605M display, so I can’t plug the display in.

is it a case of buying an LVDS adapter or can I “shave” off the profile on the LVDS plug? :/

Edited 3 October, 20253 Oct by TenaciousLee

The old bolero seems to have a LDVS H port and the new display looks to have a LVDS C port

To insert white plug into blue socket you have to take a small but sharp knive, identify the excessive "trim" that does not allow you to connect it and just cut it off.

6 hours ago, pab567 said:

To insert white plug into blue socket you have to take a small but sharp knive, identify the excessive "trim" that does not allow you to connect it and just cut it off.

You. Managed to get it plugged in and on.

However, I get the message saying “Component Protection Active”

And the display doesn’t seem to fit properly (pic attached). Is it a case of swap over the plastic trim from the old display?

(I owe you a beer)

Attachment

You bough an incomplete 5E0919605M dsiplay it misses the lower plastic trim. Unfortunately it's different to the one of the old display and it's mission impossible to get it separately.

I assume you also changed glove box unit so if it has not been patched neither assigned to the car with ODIS ONLINE you should not be surprised with Component Protection message.

🤦‍♂️

I think keeping it OEM is harder than I thought.

Is it possible to use one of the aftermarket boxes to get Apple car play instead (using my original Bolero setup)?

If not I may have to just buy an Android head unit.

On 01/10/2025 at 20:41, pab567 said:

Yes, this is the USB below the A/C controls.

From your post I can see Bolero 5Q0035842x (x - any letter A, B or C) or 565035842 is enough, the question is on the display (both 6.5" and 8" have the same resolution 800x480 pixels). I can prepare such unit in Plug &Play version if required.

I’ve been looking at this more and seems a nightmare.

@pab567 , did you say your able to prepare a plug and play OEM set up?

May be the best option, do you have a price for this?

Cheers

Lee

Yes, I do, but my understanding is you have already bought a MIB2 AMundsen and display 5E0919605M (without lower trim), so all you need from me is to have it reworked (Component Protection disabling, activation of all supported features, programming to match your car module)?

23 minutes ago, pab567 said:

Yes, I do, but my understanding is you have already bought a MIB2 AMundsen and display 5E0919605M (without lower trim), so all you need from me is to have it reworked (Component Protection disabling, activation of all supported features, programming to match your car module)?

Yes I guess that would be all that’s needed.

If that’s something you can assist with the would be happy to see how much it would cost and how to do it :)

If you have VCDS, VCP, ODIS or VC Tool that with AMundsen you can do it all by yourself...