Hi All,

New to the forum,

I have just bought a 2004 mini 2 1.4 D and am after some advise. I love my music and am after some serious sounds in the car. The car comes with satnav built in but an aftermarket stereo has been installed (Sony Xplod unit)has anyone done a banging stereo install? I am thinking amps and a sub and replacing the stock speakers as I hear these tend to pop how easy is it to fit these and having a small boot anyone done a sub install? I might even get a new head unit as im not sure if the xplod sony units are any good I need to be able to play MP3's from CD.

Any help is appreciated so thanks in advance.

Regards

Equ1nox

Replacing the speakers is easy front and rear, you will need to buy/make adaptors for the front speakers. I recommend 6.5 components in the front doors and 6x9 co-axials of the same make and range for the rears. You can buy a JL stealbox for the boot, expensive but good. Or you can buy a Auto Acoustics StealthBoXz. Although a 12" sub will fit it is unlikely you will find one that works in such a small volume. Stick to a 10" sub and check the volume it works in. I used a JL 10W6, no longer made. Stick to compact amps, there isn't much space to instal them. Finally the usual advice lots of sound deadening while you have the trim out.
http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/801/thumbs/DSCF0030.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/801/medium/DSCF0030.jpg)

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reply man sound advise no pun intended, love the little sub I already posses a 10" xplod sub so could utilize that then, did you make your box yourself or buy? and is it ported too? Having only had the car a couple of days im now used to the stereo its the MEX-BT5100 and works well it utilizes the mini steering wheel controls on the back which I thought was cool. One other question I see you state no room for amps and to use small form factor one can you advise best place for them ? if you made your sub box did you place the driving amp inside or would that be stupid? Have to ask as im just running with some ideas before I dive in ;-)

Regards

EQ :aargh:

The box was sealed, I bought it from Auto Acoustics. A ported box will need to be bigger and there are no off the shelf boxes that size. I used a Genesis SM60 in my glove box for the fronts and a Vibe Black Box II behind the boot side panel (drivers side) for the sub. I did my install nearly eight years ago so am out of date with what amps are currently available.

Hi Equinox,

Loads you can do with the Mini if you've the imagination/skill.

The Autoacoustics box Steve has should work well for you, but if you want more bass there are other options available for you: For an SQ and loud install you might be able to get hold of the Genesis 6x9s they made for the mini, 130dB and no boot space lost. False floors can give you boot space and loads of bass. Or you can just screw the shopping and go for a boot full of subs.

How about 2 x 12" Alpine Type R with 1000wrms power handling? Here's a pic of a "cheap" install I did for someone. You can just see the factory changer still in location, the shelf did fit down perfectly-just didn't notice is was out of place when I took the pic.