Hi All,

i've heard rumours that the new MINI Cooper 2003 supports MP3 CDs. Is that true?

Tim

Well, the standard spec Cooper doesn't support any sort of CD, since the standard option is a radio/cassette.

There is a single-slot MP3 capable changer as a dealer-fit option already.

If you are talking about the 6-cd changer, then I haven't heard that rumour.

Yeah, sorry I've upgraded to the CD player instead of cassette? BTW, what is cassette?

Anyway, does the CD player support MP3s?

Tim

Originally posted by xnetco
Yeah, sorry I've upgraded to the CD player instead of cassette?
Which CD player option? The changer, or the single-slot? Not that it matters, because as far as I know none of them (except for the dealer option that explicitly has MP3 in its title) supports MP3.

BTW, what is cassette?
;)

I've gone for the Single Slot CD. I didn't realise it was an option to go for the dealer option.

Just have to upgrade to a decent Sony.

The Sony MP3 one is listed in the back of the options booklet.

However, don't take my word as final. The easiest way to find out whether it will play MP3s is to burn some onto a CD and give it a try.

Originally posted by oldnell
The Sony MP3 one is listed in the back of the options booklet.

However, don't take my word as final. The easiest way to find out whether it will play MP3s is to burn some onto a CD and give it a try.

I can confirm, from just now finish testing that my 2003 Cooper with factory CD player (standard equipment in the US and is the equivalent of the UK boost CD player) head unit AND 6 CD changer dealer option BOTH play mp3's flawlessly.

That sounds good to me! Do you know if the 6-cd changer you have as an option is the same as the UK factory fitted option?

Originally posted by oldnell
That sounds good to me! Do you know if the 6-cd changer you have as an option is the same as the UK factory fitted option?

I would guess it is one and the same. I can give you the part number off the box mine came in if you've something to compare it to.

Originally posted by GMINI03
I would guess it is one and the same. I can give you the part number off the box mine came in if you've something to compare it to.

I would also imagine that it's the same. Perhaps it's a dealer fit option in the USA rather than a factory option as it is here to reduce the number of possible configurations for the American market. That would make sense to reduce shipping delays.

Personally, I don't have anything to compare it to, but it would still be very useful to post the part number. Others will be able to compare their part numbers then.

Thanks

Oli

Originally posted by oldnell
Personally, I don't have anything to compare it to, but it would still be very useful to post the part number. Others will be able to compare their part numbers then.

Thanks

Oli

Ask and you shall receive ...

Alpine CD Changer P/N 82 11 0 146 464
Alpine I bus 6 disk CD Changer Installation Kit P/N 82 11 0 147 417
The following components listed are included in the Installation kit
6 Disc Magazine P/N 65 12 0 141 196
Mounting Bracket P/N 65 12 6 912 286
Bracket Moutning Screws P/N 51 45 8 236 618
CD Changer Mounting Screws P/N 88 10 0 141 191

EDIT: For informational purposes 2003 models are predrilled and prewired from the factory for all US cars (others may be also but of course I don't have access to them) Installation took me a grand total of 4 1/2 minutes (that includes the time it took me to gether up a screw driver and walk to the car, install, test and put away the screw driver)

Originally posted by GMINI03


I can confirm, from just now finish testing that my 2003 Cooper with factory CD player (standard equipment in the US and is the equivalent of the UK boost CD player) head unit AND 6 CD changer dealer option BOTH play mp3's flawlessly.

GMINI, are you talking about a CD w/MP3 files on it or an audio CD burned from MP3s? Two different things altogether. I'm fairly certain that MP3s can't be played on the standard factory boost CD radio. Aftermarket MP3 capable head units are quite pricey, although they have come down a bit. I wouldn't think it would be included on the factory stereo. I've heard that the 2003 radio has an aux input in the back to hook up an MP3 player or other source. Also I didn't know that they made Silk Green coopers for 2003, thought it was discontinued.

The 2003 standard slot load CD player in the MCS does NOT play cd's burned in the mp3 file format. I just confirmed this by creating a cd of mp3 files and it does not play. Creating an audio disk from mp3's will work but that defeats the purpose........

I picked up my Cooper S last Saturday. Fantastic car! I ordered it with the radio/cassette & CD ready ie bus lead installed from the head unit. I am looking for a changer with MP3 capability. I am looking at the Alpine CHA S634. Apparantly you then need an interface (MINI-ALP) and lead ALPINE KCA 130B. However one retailer said that it may interfere with the airbags!!!??? Has anyone any experience of fitting this CD changer?

Take a look at a thread I posted a while back.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18474

This has a link to a site called www.incardiscount.co.uk who sell a unit compatible with the Wave radio.

I haven't tried this unit, but it looks good to me (if a little pricey). However, armed with the model number you should be able to get more information.

Please let us all know if you find out any more on this.

Originally posted by Nicaf
I am looking at the Alpine CHA S634. Apparantly you then need an interface (MINI-ALP) and lead ALPINE KCA 130B. However one retailer said that it may interfere with the airbags!!!???

I have this exact setup, and it certainly doesn't interfere with the air bags (unless it prevents them from going off somehow...haven't wrecked my car to find out)! ;)

Jakearama. :)

Originally posted by nelsdvn
The 2003 standard slot load CD player in the MCS does NOT play cd's burned in the mp3 file format. I just confirmed this by creating a cd of mp3 files and it does not play. Creating an audio disk from mp3's will work but that defeats the purpose........

Ditto.

I wonder if GMINI03 was just taking us for suckers and making us run out in the cold. :D Okay, you got me...

Ditch

Alpine CD changer CHA S634 (MP3 capability) fitted with absolutely no problems, and only the need to drill one extra hole for the mounting bracket.

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MCS; Chilli Red/White Roof; Chilli pack; Sat Nav; Heated seats

Originally posted by Nicaf
Alpine CD changer CHA S634 (MP3 capability) fitted with absolutely no problems, and only the need to drill one extra hole for the mounting bracket.

----------------------------------------------------------
MCS; Chilli Red/White Roof; Chilli pack; Sat Nav; Heated seats

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 !!

The 6-disc changer in the US can play CD-R *audio* discs with no problems (haven't tried CD-RW media yet). I'll try a disc with a couple MP3s (i.e. a *data* disc) when I get home tonight.

Gee4orce -
If it's like other MP3 players, it'll read the ID3 tags from inside the files for track title, artist, etc. to display on the headunit. Some players demand that you put your files in a directory structure: \artist\album\*.mp3, so I'll try both.

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 ?

With the Blitzsafe adapter the Alpine S634 is fully compatible with the Boost headunit.

It doesn't list the track name on the headunit, just the disc number and track number.

Jakearama. :)

Even with MP3s ? So, for instance "Disk 2, Track 73" ??

I just want to be 100% clear before I slap down some £££.

Do you know if the changer lead is pre-wired, or would I need to route that through the car myself ? From what I've read here, is sounds like it's just a matter of fitting the changer in the boot, plugging it in and off you go. That sounds too good to be true...

Originally posted by Gee4orce
Even with MP3s ? So, for instance "Disk 2, Track 73" ??

I just want to be 100% clear before I slap down some £££.

Do you know if the changer lead is pre-wired, or would I need to route that through the car myself ? From what I've read here, is sounds like it's just a matter of fitting the changer in the boot, plugging it in and off you go. That sounds too good to be true...

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When I ordered the car (back in June!!) the dealer asked me if I wanted it "cd ready" which was a no cost option, so naturally I said yes. If the bus lead IS preinstalled, yes it is plug'n'play. If you didn't then the CD changer does come with one but it would mean lifting trim etc to run it to the boot. You do need the other two bits though, namely the interface and KCA 130B lead. The 2 bits are approx £50 and £15 resp. Shop round though. In the end I got my friendly car stereo site to supply the changer, interface and leads, all fitted for £250! MP3 is definitely the way to go, so persist with that route - its worth it. Let me know if you want any further details.

Finally the display will display disk no and track no only - no other details

It is unfortunate that the stock head unit does NOT display the ID3 tags on MP3 files. However, if you are going down this path, you might want to consider the Blitzsafe adapter with AUX/CD/Satelite Radio capability (rather than the Blitzsafe with just the Changer capability).

This way you can organize Disk 1 as "jazz" and disk 2 as "rock" etc.

Then you can put new disks on your iPod which will give you your descriptions as you play.

At that rate, you can then travel Non-stop for a week without hearing the same song twice!

I don't think my car was 'CD ready', but I suppose it's easy enough to find out by looking in the boot ! The 'lifting the trim' bit was what I was trying to avoid with a CD changer :(

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying about the Blitzsafe adapter. In any case, my iPod is a bit shy as far as battery life goes !

If I do fit an MP3 CD multichanger, then I'm likely to buy a 10 pack of CD-R, burn disk #1=Metal, disk #2 = Metal (:D), disk #3 = Rock, disk #4 = light and fluffy, etc, etc. In fact, those disks will probably neverget taken out again... That way, I can just select a disk and be pretty sure that it's got something on there that fits my current mood. Alternatively, it's not a big problem with iTunes (Mac) to print out a track listing, which I could stick on the sun visor or something.

Does anyone know of any good head units that play MP3 CDs and include the ID3 tags?

Tim

Originally posted by Gee4orce
...my iPod is a bit shy as far as battery life goes !


I've been considering this adapter, and had the same concern about iPod battery life. The Apple Store (http://store.apple.com) lists two chargers that plug into the cigarette lighter.

$20 US at http://www.xtrememac.com/foripod/car_charger.shtml

$25 at http://www.drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?code=0141-IPAA

I think the cheaper one looks nicer :) and they seem to be the same otherwise.

I definitely want the Alpine mp3 changer, but am still trying to work up the nerve to take a drill to my lovely new MINI...
:eek:

Just burned a test disc (ISO-9660, no Joliet, used short 8.3 filenames), and the factory changer did not recognize it as being playable - what I got through the speakers was digital noise.

So if you want MP3s, you'll have to use an adapter and another brand changer. Or something like an iPod with the elusive Aux Input on the 2003 cars.

Chip H.

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!

For anyone that cares, the standard cd player will play CD RW's!!