Dashboard instrument cluster

Another post on friends request. This time about instrument cluster.

Friend complained that he washed interior of his 1.4 MPI Fabia and accidentally split some liquid inside instrument cluster glass (plastic) that was somehow already with sort of crack near buttons.
He went to official Skoda garage Hagoren and they said they can order new plastic for... 350 NIS (300 + 18% VAT) and replace it (work not included in price).

Suck it, Skoda Israel!

 1: 5J0 920 810 E - instrument cluster multi function indicator (since 2010-11-08), $160
1A: 5J0 919 137 A - glass cover plastic, $19.00
 2: N 906 986 06 - hexagon socket head panel bolt, 4,2x16, $0.08
 4: 8Z0 820 535 - ambient temperature sensor, $14.81
 8: 6Q0 971 918 A - plug vehicle speed sensor, $3.36
Prices from Exist.Ru

$20 dollars is fair price, it's 80 NIS top. Ok, double it, delivery... WTF 350? I haven't official offer for that, but that is what my friend told me after visiting them.

I suggested to order from Czech Republic from Alexander for that price plus couple bucks for delivery.

Now, how to replace. Very simple, follow the instructions, no need to remove steering wheel.
Removing and installing the dash panel, PDF
Removing and installing the dash panel insert, PDF
Replace transparent washer of the dash panel insert, PDF
All work is about 1 hour max.

More docs related to steering column, not required for plastic replacement.
Removing and installing driver airbag unit, PDF - not touch if not sure!
Removing and installing the steering wheel, PDF

Some more photos from my dashboard disassembly.

5J0 858 565 - trim for steering column - upper

6Q0 953 503 EE - steering column multi-switch - top

5J0 920 810 E - instrument cluster - front

5J0 920 810 E - instrument cluster - back

Stowage boxes

Blog is not forgotten :-) just busy time.

Czech this out, got another package from homeland.

There are two stowage boxes for front seats and 2 oil filters.

Code	Description	Price, NIS
03C 115 561 D	Oil filter	49
6Y0 881 577 A 47H	Stowage box onyx (black), left	78
6Y0 881 578 A 47H	Stowage box onyx (black), right	78
-	Delivery to Israel by sea	137

This time delivery took 2 month.

More pictures

Now, to install them you will need four М4х20 bolts for each box (got in Zaifer for 5 NIS everything).

And special Spline XZN M10 bit for 12 corners star bolt that hold sits.

If you do it yourself - disconnect ground from battery or try not disconnecting sit's air bags because an error can come out.

Install instructions
(RUS) Установка ящиков под сиденья
(RUS) Отчет. Установка ящиков под сиденья

31 300 km | 1Y 8M

First order from Czech Republic

In early February I made an interesting order.

There is a guy in Czech Rep - Alexander. I heard about him from a friend with Skoda Octavia and later found him at Russian forum. He can send whatever you want to anywhere!

Here is how: you contact him via e-mail or his site, send him part codes of what you need, he send you prices back. Now, if you agree with the offer (and you should! - check prices below and at Champion :-), you transfer him money via PayPal. He removes all original packaging (good for customs), makes invoice with prices you desire (again, good for customs) and ships to you.

This is what I got a month ago.

My order was

Part #	Make	Description	Price, NIS
6R0 129 620 A	VAG	Air filter	90
03C 115 561 D	VAG	Oil filter	49
5J1 998 001	VAG	1 set of aerodynamic wiper blades	136
5J6 955 425	VAG	Rear aero-wiper blade	51
1K1 819 653 B	VAG	Pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration (for friend's Skoda Octavia)	77
DMA 710 002	VAG	1 set of luggage nets for luggage compartment	153
		Delivery to Israel (by sea)	128

Everything come gently packed, even better than manufactures do. But... no original packaging. That is good thing if you buy for yourself or group of friends. But it could be complicated to sell stuff elsewhere.

About delivery time from Czech Republic.

If you want low delivery cost, it should go by sea and expect it from 2 to 6 months (real stories). My order was sent Feb 10th 2012, at May 21st it was released by customs and I grab it only May 25th - more than 3 month!

For extra €25-30 it can go by plane and I heard from 6 to 30 days of waiting.

My next order already on the way: stowage boxes for both front seats (each for €15) and more oil filters (each €10).