MINI2

AidenL · Sep 21st, 2002, 04:46 PM

Ive just got the standard Wave Tape deck in my car, and I really have to upgrade it to a CD unit......

I was wondering, is there a really good head unit out there that integrates nicely with the MINIs interior, fits well, and obviously having amber lighting?

I know the range of headunits out there is massive, so Im wondering what have you guys out there who have already upgraded actually fitted, and why......

Im happy enough with a single CD unit, as the car only does mostly short journeys anyway, and Id be thinking of spending £300-£400 on the head unit......

Thanks in advance !

Damo · Sep 21st, 2002, 07:35 PM

Sony All Black front Panels looks ace:

AidenL · Sep 21st, 2002, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Damo
Sony All Black front Panels looks ace:

They look good alright Damo......

Damo · Sep 21st, 2002, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AidenL

They look good alright Damo......

2nd was better as it still has the "face off" feature.

Will try get a picture of what they look like when the front is in its "Shut position"

Thyre brilliant if you have a car with MFSW, I'm still waiting to get the adapter cable as my buttons don;t work with my Sony Radio yet :-(

Bonnie Scotland · Sep 22nd, 2002, 03:12 AM

Guys,
Can you tell me what the model numbers of the above units are and will they make use of the cooper "s" MFSW controls??

I don't suppose they can play MP3's??

Thanks in advance
Alan..

Damo · Sep 22nd, 2002, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland
Guys,
Can you tell me what the model numbers of the above units...

Sony CDX-M730

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £289.99

Sony CDX-M630

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £219.99

Quote:

...are and will they make use of the cooper "s" MFSW controls??

Sony units as far as I know are the only head units that you can get which will work with the likes of BMW steering wheels but you need a £40.00 adapter:

Unfortunatly BMW being BMW the Mini controls speak a differant code so this deosn't work. Well at least this one in the picture doesn't. If you do a

of this forum you'll find lots of threads with me and other people going onn about this. Still not been resolved yet

Quote:

I don't suppose they can play MP3's??

Thanks in advance
Alan..

No but these do:

Sony CDX-MP30 (See www.caraudiodirect.co.uk who supplied photo)

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £179.99

Sony CDX-MP70 (See www.caraudiodirect.co.uk who supplied photo)

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £319.99

MEX-5DI (VERY NEW so see www.sony.co.uk)

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £699.99

MEX-1HD (VERY NEW so see www.sony.co.uk)
This has a 10GB Hard Drive! And the whole thing is a display!

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £949.99

This DOESN'T play MP3's but looks ace IMO
CDX-CA900 (VERY NEW so see www.sony.co.uk)

www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £189.99

Damo · Sep 22nd, 2002, 06:49 AM

Look above as I just got prices from www.caraudiodiscount.com to give you an idea of cost.

AidenL · Sep 22nd, 2002, 07:41 AM

Good work there Damo, thanks !

Bonnie Scotland · Sep 22nd, 2002, 08:29 AM

Damo,
Many thanks for the priceless info, i will be contacting car audio very shortly to determine if an adaptor exists for the MFSW, loks like my questions are answered.

Again many thanks
Alan fae bonnie scotland

Damo · Sep 22nd, 2002, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland
Damo,
Many thanks for the priceless info, i will be contacting car audio very shortly to determine if an adaptor exists for the MFSW, loks like my questions are answered.

Again many thanks
Alan fae bonnie scotland

Let us know if you find out anything. I want that adapter. Spent £200 on a MFSW only for it not to work with my head unit

Will be very happy when someone finds one that does work. (I tried the BMW 3 series adapter one but it didn;t work

)

I'll also post the links to the other MFSW with alternative head unit threads.

Damo · Sep 22nd, 2002, 09:26 AM

Here we go:

Aftermarket with Multifunction Steering

MF Steering Wheel and control of Sony headunits additional info.

Top HU at the moment?

will other Alpine's work with MFSW?

Kenwood ICE and MFSW?

AidenL · Sep 22nd, 2002, 10:09 AM

Thanks again Damo......great digging !

Bonnie Scotland · Sep 22nd, 2002, 12:26 PM

Damo,
An amazing knowledge base you have, i've been looking at the Sony CDX - MP70, going through your threads i noticed that a facia plate may be needed? Am i right in thinking that this model would not need it??

Also, is there a quick way to know if my cd changer is a sony or bmw/mini make without looking at the serial numbers.

I would hate to have to run new cables as well.

Thanks again, excellent posting
Alan

AidenL · Sep 22nd, 2002, 01:35 PM

Are the standard speakers OK for those head units generating 40-50 watts per channel??

GaryM · Sep 22nd, 2002, 02:26 PM

As the stock Mini speakers are only rated at 15Wrms they will probably need to be changed for most aftermarker HUs'

The best HU?...
I think this one is a pretty tough call as it is all down to personal preference. As many of you know I have tried hard to keed the Boost HU. Modifying it for the best sound possiable. Finally I took the plunge and brought a new HU (Alpine CDA 7893R). The sound is soooo clear and punchy.

For anyone buying a new Mini and thinking about the audio, save your money and buy an aftermarket HU. My criteria here was looks, value and quality. As you can see I have selected the Amber illumination...

I got the HU from letsbuycaraudio.com. It cost £239.99 as compared to £349.90 in the Alpine catalogue. Although I'm using an external amp for the fronts and the sub it has a high powered amp on board. Play's MP3's too.

Very pleased!

AidenL · Sep 22nd, 2002, 02:41 PM

That Alpine unit looks good Gary, reasonably priced too....

I wonder what sort of money would it cost to replace all the speakers in a MINI to suit the average 50 watt output.....

In fact, every aftermarket head unit seems rated too high for that standard MINI speakers....

Does the Boost system only generate 15watts rms too?

Damo · Sep 22nd, 2002, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland
Damo,
An amazing knowledge base you have, i've been looking at the Sony CDX - MP70, going through your threads i noticed that a facia plate may be needed? Am i right in thinking that this model would not need it??

Also, is there a quick way to know if my cd changer is a sony or bmw/mini make without looking at the serial numbers.

I would hate to have to run new cables as well.

Thanks again, excellent posting
Alan

Its personal prefernce with the Fascia plate, I've not used one myself. The width of the stereo (Horozontal) is fine its the height (vertical) thats not the same as as standard head units.

I've used 2 piece of card board and the only way you can see them is if you put your head on the cup holders.

I intend to get the Fascia plate eventually but at £25.00 better things to buy.

As for the CD changer you already have, couldn't honestly say. Easist way is to look at it, it will have sony on it if its sony.

Other thing is if it is sony you will not be able to use the standard cable that runs through the car. You'll need to get the normal sony one. The sony CD changers for standard Mini radios have an adapter to convert it from MINI to SONY in the boot, but there isn't an adapter to do the opposite at the Head unit end. You'll need to have the standard Sony cable run through from your new head unit to the boot.

Just disconnect the MINI cable and use the Sony one. When the times comes to sell car swap the cables back.

mikeythemini · Sep 22nd, 2002, 04:34 PM

I intend to get the Fascia plate eventually but at £25.00 better things to buy.

HOW MUCH

As I buy more and more Mini bits, the prices are falling
Mini facia adaptors now down to 9 quid. And if you not over from bolton to liverpool, can do P&P for 2.50
140 watt rear kenwood speakers from 40
any bits needed give me a call - special deals for mini2
Mike

Damo · Sep 22nd, 2002, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikeythemini
I intend to get the Fascia plate eventually but at £25.00 better things to buy.

HOW MUCH
As I buy more and more Mini bits, the prices are falling
Mini facia adaptors now down to 9 quid. And if you not over from bolton to liverpool, can do P&P for 2.50
140 watt rear kenwood speakers from 40
any bits needed give me a call - special deals for mini2
Mike

Cool!!!!!!

Where about in Liverpool are you, probably cheaper to get it sent over but its always good to meet another Mini2er. You open Weekends?

This is where I find out that the £215 I just spent for a 6 Sony CD changer was far to much

And do you know of any sulutions for us Mini owners with the MFSW and after market head units?

I'm also likely to be after a new Sony MD head unit as the volume knob is playing up.

I've got the MDX-C6500R at the mo. Sony does a newr version of it that looks identical but I fancy a change.

Any info would be great

GaryM · Sep 23rd, 2002, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AidenL
That Alpine unit looks good Gary, reasonably priced too....

I wonder what sort of money would it cost to replace all the speakers in a MINI to suit the average 50 watt output.....

In fact, every aftermarket head unit seems rated too high for that standard MINI speakers....

Does the Boost system only generate 15watts rms too?

The Boost HU does output just a little more rms power than that, 17W, I seem to recall, so this is OK.

I would say that chosing your speakers depends on your ultimate asperations for the system, It would be silliy to buy some low cost ones now, only to fit and external amp later and have to replace them. If you were to just match the HU then I think £150 for 2 pairs might just get someting OK if you looked hard on the net.

Again the thing you need to look at here is the RMS rating of the HU and the speakers and match these. Most aftermarket speakers should be rated enough for a high powered HU. For example my Alpine HU quotes 60W per channel! There is no way this gives this in terms of RMS figures more like 30Wrms (I'll have to check the manual), My external amp only manages 67W but this is true RMS.

Sep 21st, 2002, 04:46 PM	#1
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Whats the "Perfect" Aftermarket Head Unit for a MINI? Ive just got the standard Wave Tape deck in my car, and I really have to upgrade it to a CD unit...... I was wondering, is there a really good head unit out there that integrates nicely with the MINIs interior, fits well, and obviously having amber lighting? I know the range of headunits out there is massive, so Im wondering what have you guys out there who have already upgraded actually fitted, and why...... Im happy enough with a single CD unit, as the car only does mostly short journeys anyway, and Id be thinking of spending £300-£400 on the head unit...... Thanks in advance ! *Global Moderator*

Sep 21st, 2002, 07:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Damo Sony All Black front Panels looks ace: They look good alright Damo...... *Global Moderator*

Sep 22nd, 2002, 03:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bonnie Scotland Gadget Man Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montrose, Scotland Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 1,961 Offline	Ideal CD Aftermarket Guys, Can you tell me what the model numbers of the above units are and will they make use of the cooper "s" MFSW controls?? I don't suppose they can play MP3's?? Thanks in advance Alan..

Sep 22nd, 2002, 06:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Re: Ideal CD Aftermarket Quote: Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland Guys, Can you tell me what the model numbers of the above units... Sony CDX-M730 www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £289.99 Sony CDX-M630 www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £219.99 Quote: ...are and will they make use of the cooper "s" MFSW controls?? Sony units as far as I know are the only head units that you can get which will work with the likes of BMW steering wheels but you need a £40.00 adapter: Unfortunatly BMW being BMW the Mini controls speak a differant code so this deosn't work. Well at least this one in the picture doesn't. If you do a of this forum you'll find lots of threads with me and other people going onn about this. Still not been resolved yet Quote: I don't suppose they can play MP3's?? Thanks in advance Alan.. No but these do: Sony CDX-MP30 (See www.caraudiodirect.co.uk who supplied photo) www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £179.99 Sony CDX-MP70 (See www.caraudiodirect.co.uk who supplied photo) www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £319.99 MEX-5DI (VERY NEW so see www.sony.co.uk) www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £699.99 MEX-1HD (VERY NEW so see www.sony.co.uk) This has a 10GB Hard Drive! And the whole thing is a display! www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £949.99 This DOESN'T play MP3's but looks ace IMO CDX-CA900 (VERY NEW so see www.sony.co.uk) www.caraudiodiscount.com 's price: £189.99 Last edited by Damo : Sep 22nd, 2002 at 09:30 AM.

Sep 22nd, 2002, 07:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Good work there Damo, thanks ! *Global Moderator*

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Sep 21st, 2002, 07:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Sony All Black front Panels looks ace:

Sep 21st, 2002, 07:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by AidenL They look good alright Damo...... 2nd was better as it still has the "face off" feature. Will try get a picture of what they look like when the front is in its "Shut position" Thyre brilliant if you have a car with MFSW, I'm still waiting to get the adapter cable as my buttons don;t work with my Sony Radio yet :-(

Sep 22nd, 2002, 06:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Look above as I just got prices from www.caraudiodiscount.com to give you an idea of cost.

Sep 22nd, 2002, 08:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bonnie Scotland Gadget Man Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montrose, Scotland Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 1,961 Offline	Audio Extreme Damo, Many thanks for the priceless info, i will be contacting car audio very shortly to determine if an adaptor exists for the MFSW, loks like my questions are answered. Again many thanks Alan fae bonnie scotland

Sep 22nd, 2002, 09:17 AM	#10 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Re: Audio Extreme Quote: Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland Damo, Many thanks for the priceless info, i will be contacting car audio very shortly to determine if an adaptor exists for the MFSW, loks like my questions are answered. Again many thanks Alan fae bonnie scotland Let us know if you find out anything. I want that adapter. Spent £200 on a MFSW only for it not to work with my head unit Will be very happy when someone finds one that does work. (I tried the BMW 3 series adapter one but it didn;t work ) I'll also post the links to the other MFSW with alternative head unit threads.

Sep 22nd, 2002, 09:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Here we go: Aftermarket with Multifunction Steering MF Steering Wheel and control of Sony headunits additional info. Top HU at the moment? will other Alpine's work with MFSW? Kenwood ICE and MFSW?

Sep 22nd, 2002, 10:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Thanks again Damo......great digging ! *Global Moderator*

Sep 22nd, 2002, 12:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bonnie Scotland Gadget Man Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montrose, Scotland Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 1,961 Offline	No Quick Solution Damo, An amazing knowledge base you have, i've been looking at the Sony CDX - MP70, going through your threads i noticed that a facia plate may be needed? Am i right in thinking that this model would not need it?? Also, is there a quick way to know if my cd changer is a sony or bmw/mini make without looking at the serial numbers. I would hate to have to run new cables as well. Thanks again, excellent posting Alan

Sep 22nd, 2002, 01:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Are the standard speakers OK for those head units generating 40-50 watts per channel?? *Global Moderator*

Sep 22nd, 2002, 02:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
GaryM MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 388 Offline	As the stock Mini speakers are only rated at 15Wrms they will probably need to be changed for most aftermarker HUs' The best HU?... I think this one is a pretty tough call as it is all down to personal preference. As many of you know I have tried hard to keed the Boost HU. Modifying it for the best sound possiable. Finally I took the plunge and brought a new HU (Alpine CDA 7893R). The sound is soooo clear and punchy. For anyone buying a new Mini and thinking about the audio, save your money and buy an aftermarket HU. My criteria here was looks, value and quality. As you can see I have selected the Amber illumination... I got the HU from letsbuycaraudio.com. It cost £239.99 as compared to £349.90 in the Alpine catalogue. Although I'm using an external amp for the fronts and the sub it has a high powered amp on board. Play's MP3's too. Very pleased!

Sep 22nd, 2002, 02:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 42,151 Offline	That Alpine unit looks good Gary, reasonably priced too.... I wonder what sort of money would it cost to replace all the speakers in a MINI to suit the average 50 watt output..... In fact, every aftermarket head unit seems rated too high for that standard MINI speakers.... Does the Boost system only generate 15watts rms too? *Global Moderator*

Sep 22nd, 2002, 03:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Re: No Quick Solution Quote: Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland Damo, An amazing knowledge base you have, i've been looking at the Sony CDX - MP70, going through your threads i noticed that a facia plate may be needed? Am i right in thinking that this model would not need it?? Also, is there a quick way to know if my cd changer is a sony or bmw/mini make without looking at the serial numbers. I would hate to have to run new cables as well. Thanks again, excellent posting Alan Its personal prefernce with the Fascia plate, I've not used one myself. The width of the stereo (Horozontal) is fine its the height (vertical) thats not the same as as standard head units. I've used 2 piece of card board and the only way you can see them is if you put your head on the cup holders. I intend to get the Fascia plate eventually but at £25.00 better things to buy. As for the CD changer you already have, couldn't honestly say. Easist way is to look at it, it will have sony on it if its sony. Other thing is if it is sony you will not be able to use the standard cable that runs through the car. You'll need to get the normal sony one. The sony CD changers for standard Mini radios have an adapter to convert it from MINI to SONY in the boot, but there isn't an adapter to do the opposite at the Head unit end. You'll need to have the standard Sony cable run through from your new head unit to the boot. Just disconnect the MINI cable and use the Sony one. When the times comes to sell car swap the cables back.

Sep 22nd, 2002, 04:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
mikeythemini I can't get no sleep My Classifieds Join Date: May 2002 Location: Capital of Culture Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 9,078 Offline	I intend to get the Fascia plate eventually but at £25.00 better things to buy. HOW MUCH As I buy more and more Mini bits, the prices are falling Mini facia adaptors now down to 9 quid. And if you not over from bolton to liverpool, can do P&P for 2.50 140 watt rear kenwood speakers from 40 any bits needed give me a call - special deals for mini2 Mike Lakes Tour 2008 coming soon Are you ready for Lakes 2008 - details soon

Sep 22nd, 2002, 07:10 PM	#19 (permalink)
Damo MINI2fosi My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: MINItorque.com Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 10,652 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by mikeythemini I intend to get the Fascia plate eventually but at £25.00 better things to buy. HOW MUCH As I buy more and more Mini bits, the prices are falling Mini facia adaptors now down to 9 quid. And if you not over from bolton to liverpool, can do P&P for 2.50 140 watt rear kenwood speakers from 40 any bits needed give me a call - special deals for mini2 Mike Cool!!!!!! Where about in Liverpool are you, probably cheaper to get it sent over but its always good to meet another Mini2er. You open Weekends? This is where I find out that the £215 I just spent for a 6 Sony CD changer was far to much And do you know of any sulutions for us Mini owners with the MFSW and after market head units? I'm also likely to be after a new Sony MD head unit as the volume knob is playing up. I've got the MDX-C6500R at the mo. Sony does a newr version of it that looks identical but I fancy a change. Any info would be great

Sep 23rd, 2002, 04:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
GaryM MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 05:23 AM Posts: 388 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by AidenL That Alpine unit looks good Gary, reasonably priced too.... I wonder what sort of money would it cost to replace all the speakers in a MINI to suit the average 50 watt output..... In fact, every aftermarket head unit seems rated too high for that standard MINI speakers.... Does the Boost system only generate 15watts rms too? The Boost HU does output just a little more rms power than that, 17W, I seem to recall, so this is OK. I would say that chosing your speakers depends on your ultimate asperations for the system, It would be silliy to buy some low cost ones now, only to fit and external amp later and have to replace them. If you were to just match the HU then I think £150 for 2 pairs might just get someting OK if you looked hard on the net. Again the thing you need to look at here is the RMS rating of the HU and the speakers and match these. Most aftermarket speakers should be rated enough for a high powered HU. For example my Alpine HU quotes 60W per channel! There is no way this gives this in terms of RMS figures more like 30Wrms (I'll have to check the manual), My external amp only manages 67W but this is true RMS.