I've finally got my MP70 with FREE remote. The MP70 plays both CD-Rs and CD-RWs with standard or MP3 music!


Just need to the MINI now!

Originally posted by mtnMINI
I'm debating having the dealer install the 6 CD Changer. First, does it take up much space in the already limited boot space?! Secondly, if I choose to upgrade or remove it later, is this "uninstall" process difficult? Will it have any negative effect on the existing single-slot cd up front? Thanks for any advice you may have. I'm not very electronically inclined! It takes up the right-most 3 inches or so. The boot box still fits with it in place. If you have a 2003 MCS with runflats, I don't know if the boot box will fit with the changer *and* the jack. But you could put the nylon bag containing the jack inside the boot box and solve that problem :)

Shouldn't be any problems removing it later - although the mounting bracket will leave one or three holes in the plastic (depending on model year). You'd just tuck the cable back under the plastic trim like it was before the changer was installed.

Chip H.

Originally posted by Gee4orce


Let me just get this clear: this is a CD multichanger that can also play MP3 CDs, and is compatible with the standard head unit (is it compatible with radio BOOST ?). So you stick this is your boot (or wherever) and voila - you've got 6 (or 10 ?) MP3 CDs, accessed via the standard head unit ?

How does it handle things like track names, etc ?

If this is the case then I think I've found the solution I'm looking for !!

Fee4orce, did you follow this up? How did it go?

Thanks Chip H. I've decided to install. It will be great for long roadtrips!

One of my MINI-related gifts for Christmas was the Alpine CHA S634 CD changer. Hubby got me this, but he told me that we'd have to take it back to the car stereo place and exchange it for the CHA S630. The stereo place looked in the book and decided the S634 wouldn't work in the 2003 Cooper and that we needed the S630. It's nice that they're suggesting a cheaper unit, but I would like the MP3 capability if my car can handle it. Perhaps their book is just wrong? Maybe it's based on 2002 Cooper info?

Now, please forgive me. I don't understand all that you're talking about, and you all sound like you know a great deal. Let me tell you about the car I'm getting, and please tell me if you know whether the CD changer I've got will work for me.

My car is a 2003 Cooper, built around Dec. 6, 2002. My Cooper has the standard CD player for US spec cars and the multi-function steering wheel. My questions are:

1. Will the Alpine CHA S634 work with my installed CD player? I understand I'll need to get the lead and the interface mentioned earlier in this thread.

2. Will it handle MP3's with my installed CD player? I understand that titles won't be displayed, just disc and track number. C'est la vie.

3. Will it work with the multi-function steering wheel?

4. What is a radio BOOST? Is that a UK thing?

Thanks in advance for your advice. I'm anxiously awaiting my MINI and look forward to being able to have my tunes right away, too!

Amy

Originally posted by justamy
One of my MINI-related gifts for Christmas was the Alpine CHA S634 CD changer. Hubby got me this, but he told me that we'd have to take it back to the car stereo place and exchange it for the CHA S630. The stereo place looked in the book and decided the S634 wouldn't work in the 2003 Cooper and that we needed the S630. It's nice that they're suggesting a cheaper unit, but I would like the MP3 capability if my car can handle it. Perhaps their book is just wrong? Maybe it's based on 2002 Cooper info?


1. Will the Alpine CHA S634 work with my installed CD player? I understand I'll need to get the lead and the interface mentioned earlier in this thread.

2. Will it handle MP3's with my installed CD player? I understand that titles won't be displayed, just disc and track number. C'est la vie.

3. Will it work with the multi-function steering wheel?

4. What is a radio BOOST? Is that a UK thing?

Thanks in advance for your advice. I'm anxiously awaiting my MINI and look forward to being able to have my tunes right away, too!

Amy

Amy, the shop is incorrect, you will need the Blitzsafe (or another equivalent) BMW-ALPINE MBUS Adaptor, you will also need the Alpine KCA 130B (MBUS -> AINET ADAPTOR).

Here's a website, and examples of the parts you need
Blitzsafe Adaptor
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzbmwalpdmxv1.html
Alpine Adaptor
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/alpinekca130b.html

so to answer your questions

1) Yes it will work
2)Yes, the blitzsafe adaptor becomesa new input on the radio.
3)I think the MFSW works, you navigate tracks up and down (cannot confirm myself though, sorry).
4)The UK gets either a Wave radio or Boost Radio, the boost is standard in the US

I'm ordering the interfaces and will be ready when the car gets here. It arrived on U.S. soil today, so it shouldn't be too much longer...I hope!

Thanks again,
Amy

amy,

one last thought, since you're buying the adaptor consider getting the one with the auxilary input so you can hook up an MP3 player or XM Satellite Unit. It's only a little bit more. I know the 2003s are supposed to come witn an AUX IN, but no one has documented this on any of the cars as of yet.

I have a Blaupunkt Woodstock head unit installed in my MCS. It's truely brilliant. It plays all kinds of cd's, and even has a slot for a memory card for mp3 as well!! Its radio is FM/AM and the new DAB digital, which I don;t think you have in the states yet (cd quality radio broadcasting). It was easy to install and gives great sound, and even looks good in the dash (arn't the standard fit radios blaupunkt anyway).

I can fully recomend it if you want mp3 cd playing capability. Displays track and tag data as well. Definatly worth it if you live in the UK and want DAB radio.

Any chance of a pic Tony?

Cheers
Chris

tony, I'm also thinking of installing the Woodstock. Which aerial did you go for as the dealership told me the Blaupunkt b-sting is no good - hits spoiler.

Pics would be good thanks

Picture to follow sometime today.....

I went for the 'stick on glass' type, on the back screen. Fitting the beesting one will (probably) have warranty implications, and as my car is only a month old I was a little bit worried about doing this.

The ariel does make a little bit of wind noise, at around 90mph, which is a bit of a pain between the music tracks (don't hear it when the steros turned up) However, if you like driving with the music off, then you need to unscrew the ariel if the noise bothers you. This only takes about 5 seconds so no problem. It should be removed every time you park up anyway due to it being a target for vandles...

You only have an inch between the spoiler and the OEM aerial anyway, and you will notice if you compare them, that the MCS ariel is more upright than the ariel on the other Mini's, so i suspect that your dealer is probably right. Also, DAB coverage is not fantastic unless you live in London, so you need to keep your FM ariel as well. Many FM local stations do not have coverage (yet) on DAB.

You will need to upgrade your speakers as well for this head unit, unless you already have an upgrade package....

Tony, have sent you a PM.

Also, please explain why need to change speakers ?

Originally posted by alinnes
Tony, have sent you a PM.

Also, please explain why need to change speakers ?


IMHO, the installed speakers are not up to much... better perhaps than most manufacturers speakers, but still nowhere near good enough for the amount of money you spend on the Woodstock in the first place..... A couple of hundred on really good speakers would improve the sound considerably...

I must clarify however, my car came with the standard cassette player, so those of you with cd/boost might have better speakers fitted anyway (I don't know what the 'boost' package actually gives you)

Woodstock piccs...

Woodstock piccs...

Only the exterior pic is showing. Maybe too big for one post?

I porked it up....
will upload another shortly...

Looks like that mini needs a clean too!

Not the best Photo I am afraid....

Looks good! Suits the interior as well, particularly the silver buttons and the silver down tubes. :)

Tim, looks good - probably the way to go.

Can you let me know what 'extras' you needed to get (and from where), such as facia plates, harness adaptors etc.

I'm a bit reluctant to go down the glass mount aerial route but only because I frequently have to park up in London where these things don't stay where they're supposed to for long.

I am told that a Geman aerial manufacturer makes an internal, 'tax-disk' style DAB aerial - does anyone know any more or where I might be able to get one ??

I'm going to fit a Kenwood MP3/CD unit, prob a KDC-M6021 (same as in Sarah's Clio - works great) in place of the standard WAVE radio. I think BMW's pricing is way out for upgrading hi-fi, can anyone tell me the difference between a wave radio and the BOOST upgrade?
TIA

Originally posted by alinnes
Tim, looks good - probably the way to go.

Can you let me know what 'extras' you needed to get (and from where), such as facia plates, harness adaptors etc.

I'm a bit reluctant to go down the glass mount aerial route but only because I frequently have to park up in London where these things don't stay where they're supposed to for long.

I am told that a Geman aerial manufacturer makes an internal, 'tax-disk' style DAB aerial - does anyone know any more or where I might be able to get one ??

You will need a facia plate, the blaupunkt/bmw wire loom adapter, and an areial adapter if you want to continue using your FM roof areial... which you will.. these come to about £30.

Haven't seen any internal ariels for this...

Thanks for this. Today I found a company called www.electratech.co.uk who have developed a diplexer which enables you to retain the original Mini aerial and split the signal into analogue and digital (i.e. no need for any DAB specific aerial). The guy there is called Shaun and Blaupunkt have taken 10 of these units for testing with a view to adding them to the Woodstock standard spec.

He is knocking them out for £65 without and £35 with the unit and is doing the Woodstock for £320 so I'm going to get all the kit from him.

Get my car 1st March so if you're up for it would like to pay a visit to do an install. PM me your e-mail / details if you're interested in staying in touch to do this.

If it does work you could end up replacing your window aerial with one of these diplexers if they really do work OK.

Originally posted by alinnes
Thanks for this. Today I found a company called www.electratech.co.uk who have developed a diplexer which enables you to retain the original Mini aerial and split the signal into analogue and digital (i.e. no need for any DAB specific aerial). The guy there is called Shaun and Blaupunkt have taken 10 of these units for testing with a view to adding them to the Woodstock standard spec.

He is knocking them out for £65 without and £35 with the unit and is doing the Woodstock for £320 so I'm going to get all the kit from him.

Get my car 1st March so if you're up for it would like to pay a visit to do an install. PM me your e-mail / details if you're interested in staying in touch to do this.

If it does work you could end up replacing your window aerial with one of these diplexers if they really do work OK.

This sounds great, I don't like having the extra ariel, its just a matter of time before some waster rips it off... and then theres the wind noise above 90mph.... its just so hard to keep the MCS below 90!!!!!
PM sent...

By the way....
Installing a set of Infinity speakers this weekend, one in each corner.... I do like a challenge!!

Originally posted by Tony*t3
By the way....
Installing a set of Infinity speakers this weekend, one in each corner.... I do like a challenge!!

Speaker upgrade went fine, and now IT ROCKS!!!

Standard fit speakers are only rated at 15watts, and I assume that this is peak output... infinity's were 100w front and 180w rear, RMS... 300w peak....

Rear install was interesting, will post pictures. Took about 5 hours in all, including making custom mounts for fronts...

Ears are bleeding now..... Blur 'Song2' as it should be...,

when you take the pics any chance of a night time interior pic of illuminated dash / Woodstock - want to see how well the red / orange matches.

see PM

Originally posted by alinnes
Thanks for this. Today I found a company called www.electratech.co.uk who have developed a diplexer which enables you to retain the original Mini aerial and split the signal into analogue and digital (i.e. no need for any DAB specific aerial). The guy there is called Shaun and Blaupunkt have taken 10 of these units for testing with a view to adding them to the Woodstock standard spec.

Sounds a little strange, as Blaupunkt already have a Bosch diplexer listed in their catalogue (AWB1 Part no. 7 691 290 189). This is powered and designed to work with a special multi-band aerial. Using a passive diplexer with the standard Mini aerial may not give very good reception for the DAB bands. Would like to be proved wrong on this though, as I am tempted to fit a Woodstock.

Ian

Ian,

Can't confess to understand the technical issues here. Suggest you give the guy a call, Shaun at Electrotech (01347 821697). By the way he also had just about the best price for the Woodstock.

Personally I decided to go with a new Pioneer 5530 as I was really after MP3 / WMA playback capability rather than the DAB and it saved me a whole stack of spondoolies. However I'm not really over keen on the reddish ilumination of the Pioneer and wish I'd been patient and waited for a new Becker model (Monza) which should be around March / April. In fact once I've seen this I might swap and sell the Pioneer on eBay.