[mini sage]

i take delivery of my hot new MCS in a few weeks! i have always been an after market stereo enthusiast and have spent much time upgrading each of my cars.

i already have a solid game plan for subs, amps and components in my new MCS. what scares me a bit is the head unit. as anyone knows, the heart and soul of any great vehicle sound system starts with the head unit. i have faced tricky custom jobs in the past, but none as seemingly complicated as the mini.

the dash placement makes it superbly difficult to implement any custom works without taking away from the functionality of the existing panels, gauges and switches.

i am planning on using the kenwood DDX8019 head unit

has anybody done a custom install with a double din or fold out after market head unit? if so, please post pics.

cheers!

[lertulo]

Far as I can tell, no one has successfully replaced the head unit on an R56 yet. There are several who have replaced speakers, and one or two who have fitted various amps and other gear along the playback line.

If you find that I'm wrong, please post a link--and if you manage to swap your head unit, please document the process!

[mini sage]

thanks for the response. as i said, i get my new MCS by months end. the first thing i plan on doing is the head unit. i will do the 2 subs, 3 amps and all new components in different phases, but it all starts with the HU.

i will take pictures and document the installation. i have already begun to map out a plan with my installer. being as i too used to be an installer, together we have always been able to work around any obstacle. this one will be the most difficult by far, but it will get done.

the kenwood 8019 incorporates garmin nav, bluetooth for phone use, on screen ipod interface, rear view camera and so much more, too much to list. its the only reason i didnt add each to my MCS order. it will get done! i'll make sure to keep you updated.

thanks again for the knowledge!

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems it simply can't be done on the new R56 MCS I understand that, although the existing "head unit" actually occupies a standard DIN slot, the head unit is an integral part of the car's electronics and can not be removed. Nice one BMW

For more information, check this thread:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...ades-pics.html

Mikeythemini (the thread's author) knows what he's talking about; this is what he does for a living.

Tigger.

[mini sage]

Tigger, trust, i understand what you are talking about. the closer i get to delivery date, the more research i have been doing. as of this moment, non of the stock stereo dins can be removed. they seem to be all connected to the "brain" removing one piece would disable the entire system.

there may be a way around that, but i am still in heavy talks with a cat i know who works in a mini dealership.
my other option (really a hope ) is leaving all factory hardware in tact and building a custom enclosure below the switch panel at the base of the dash where i would mount the double din HU. this would require refitting the cup holders and nav viewing would not be optimal, but it might be all i got.

its tough to gauge all of this on paper. i really wont know until my baby is on hand and is willing to undergo a bit of interior cosmetic surgery!

i have been reading the posts for a bit now searching for an answer, and it seems Mikeythemini has a plethora of knowledge and does a very clean job of custom installation. i would definitely be talking to him if i lived out there. fortunately i have a high end shop out here that mostly works on extremely high end vehicles and even picture cars for films here in Hollywood. i am praying we can come up with a viable solution.

until then, if anybody has any advice, plans or pics of their own custom job (especially for the head unit) please let me know. thanks!

[mikeythemini]

Hi, so far I have given up on stereos for the R56
You wont get a stereo below the toggles are there is zero depth, behind the plastic cover is a big lump of alloy
The only hope might be to relocate the factory stereo to the storage comp, but a new ribbon cable would be needed that connects it to the speedo

[mini sage]

mikeythemini, you just saved me the heartache of learning that myself once i took the dash apart. thank you and arghhhhhh

i like your second option. if a single din is all i can fit, oh well, so be it. i'll keep you all updated. and mikeythemini if you happen to find any other solution in the meantime, please let me know!