Replacing head unit CD BOOST or ALPINE?

[Gabbagool]

Hi, this is my first post but let me say thanks for all the great help and advice I've already read here.

I've just got a 52 Cooper S and it has the standard WAVE cassette with CD multichanger in the boot.

The sound is quite frankly terrible, I had an Audi A4 with BOSE before this and that was a lot better.

Now whilst I realise I'm not gonna get sound anything like my old Audi I have a couple of options.

I have both a BOOST CD player and an Alpine iPod connecting head unit which I could fit to this car, I wont be doing it myself I have an stereo guy will do it for me but is it worth putting the Alpine in without upgrading the speakers or would I be better with the BOOST.
My concerns are security and when I sell the car I can leave the BOOST in but not the Alpine.

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

[DaFlake]

Welcome to the forum!

Well, if you go with the Alpine unit, you will lose the CD Changer in the boot. Your boost is probably an Alpine unit as well and to be honest, I like the quality of my boost unit. That being said, it is really up to what you want to do. Mikey (NewMINIStuff.com) sells a harness adapter that can keep you from cutting any wires. This should make it better for resale.

As for sound, you can get some newer speakers that will actually do a pretty good job for you. The closest that we have for Bose is the Harmon Kardon but the downside to having that system is you can't easily upgrade it. So, you may be in a better position to get the sound that you are looking for. It is just up to how much you are willing to spend.

[burns863]

Congratulations on buying an S, Gabba! You wont regret being a MINI owner and a part of Mini2

Anyway, on with your ICE query!... As DaFlake says, it does depend on what you want to spend and what you are looking for in terms of sound quality.

Now, I do have one query Flake... are you sure if the Alpine unit was installed that the CD Changer unit would be unusable? I thought there was an adaptor which converted the OEM cd changer adaptor to a standard one for use on after market HU's? I could be wrong, just thought this was case

So Gabba, CD changer aside, I would go with the alpine if you are looking for a good quality system. But I wouldnt run any component speakers in the doors without amping them with an external amp. The internal MOSFET amps in HU's are quite franky; crap. Good quality component speakers need amping with a decent external amp. I know a lot of Alpine models allow the user to switch off the internal amplifier too, which is the best way to go when using an external amplifier. If you did go with the Alpine option, you could just replace it with the BOOST when you come to sell?

If you do decide to go with the BOOST over the alpine then to be perfectly honest, as daflake said, the quality isnt all too bad really. A lot of people on here will slate it but for a factory fit system and not an added option (such as HK) it is actually quite good! And at least you know you can definitely use your OEM changer.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

Now, I do have one query Flake... are you sure if the Alpine unit was installed that the CD Changer unit would be unusable? I thought there was an adaptor which converted the OEM cd changer adaptor to a standard one for use on after market HU's? I could be wrong, just thought this was case

Mikey does have an adapter but it is hit and miss on whether it will work or not. He has told me that they have had issues with them. So rather than get peoples hopes up it is just better to let them know that it probably won't.

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Mikey does have an adapter but it is hit and miss on whether it will work or not. He has told me that they have had issues with them. So rather than get peoples hopes up it is just better to let them know that it probably won't.

Thanks for the info I thought there was an adaptor! Didnt realise there had been any issues tho

[Gabbagool]

Thanks for all the great advice and welcoming spirit. I went with the Alpine.

I got a pro to install it as to avoid any mess and there was a mobile phone kit all spliced in as well as a damaged aerial connector so I was glad I did.

I went with the Alpine and I'm surprised quite how much better it is from this upgrade alone.

Probably go for some speakers and amps next, one thing at a time though!

Thanks again.

[Michael_Works]

The OEM headunits in Mini are made by Becker, so you are't going wrong there ;-)

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Michael_Works (original)

The OEM headunits in Mini are made by Becker, so you are't going wrong there ;-)

I assume that you are joking right? Alpine and Siemens VDO are the only two that I know of.