Hello. Can somebody who's already done it confirm what parts I need to fit a Columbus into my Octavia 2 VRS? I am waiting on the nav itself, the code and GPS antenna from Lithuania.

Today I have gone ahead and ordered trim (1Z0858069R2AU @ £13.49). Firstly, is that the right part I've ordered? I wasn't sure if there was a different trim to go around the MFD2 / MFD3?

Secondly, is there anything else I need e.g. twin connector : P/N 4E0 035 608 K and antenna adapter (2) : P/N 000 098 707 as mentioned on VWvortex Forums: Review: USA RNS-510. I didn't order the first one as I wasn't sure if I needed it and the second didn't come up on the computer at the dealers. Will radio reception and TMS be ok without them?

Thanks in advance!

This might help. Fitting details for MFD2 and Columbus are the same.

Octavia-vRS.com - MFD2 Install Guide

Regarding the antenna connections one side will give you AM and FM the other will give you FM and RDS functionality. I found I got TMC with either side.

Try a search as it has been discussed on here a few times.

1Z0 858 069 C 9B9 - satin black

That's the part I got, £4.85 or thereabouts

That's the only thing I used

I used the inner most connector for my aerial. FM reception seems to be better than with the stream

AM reception is non existant though

I ordered one of these for my Columbus unit: KUFATEC GmbH - VW Antennenadapter Navigation RNS 510 FAKRA 36197

Luckily I have the second diversity antenna printed on my rear side window so now have AM/FM/TMC data with no problems. I had to trim the tabs off one of the plugs to make it fit but its perfect now.

If you only have one antenna I would think this is what you need: KUFATEC GmbH - VW Antennenadapter - Verteiler - FAKRA 36928

Edited 25 April, 200917 yr by dstev2000

That fakra adapter looks interesting but they want €14 to ship to the UK, on top of th €25 price.

Tis a bit steep isn't it. I just bit the bullet as I was cheesed off with the poor radio reception and work commitments meant a trip to the dealer was out of the question

There are quite a few people with retro'd Columbus units and the AM/FM compromise has cropped up a few times recently. Maybe someone should investigate a group buy? most people will be after the 2 in 1 adaptor as very few Octavias have the diversity antenna.

Does the two in one adapter mean that you can receive AM, even without the diversity antenna, or will it make no difference to reception.

From a non-techie, obviously

It will connect the roof AM/FM antenna to both Columbus inputs simultaneously. This should allow for decent AM/FM reception. Obviously you won't get true diversity due to the absence of that second window antenna.

Now I've connected the proper diversity adaptor to my Columbus I get excellent FM and AM reception whereas before I was getting weak FM and no AM reception. Both antennas now have 'on' status according to the radio service menu. I can only presume the 2 in 1 adaptor will do the same for non diversity cars.

Another thought: As mentioned, my L&K has the proper diversity antenna system, I am not 100% if there is a radio signal processor between the 2 antennas and the connectors to the rear of the Columbus or whether the roof antenna is AM/FM and the window jobbie is FM diversity only :holmes:

Edited 25 April, 200917 yr by dstev2000

The 1Z0858069R2AU trim I ordered was fine (bright alu for vrs). My installation photos can be found here...

rns510 install pictures - Photobucket

The 1Z0858069R2AU trim I ordered was fine (bright alu for vrs). My installation photos can be found here...

rns510 install pictures - Photobucket

that is a wonderful guide thanks a lot