[nickp]

Call me cheap and/or impatient, but I'm curious about rigging up my own Aux input rather than spend $40 plus shipping for the official kit.

I read through the entire thread about the DIY work they did for the 2003:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...ight=aux+build

And I'm going to give that a shot. My question: Did anyone find a way to get around the issue of the AUX not showing up while charging an iPod? I'll use the Ground Loop Isolator from RadioShack if needed, but at that point it almost makes more sense to purchase the kit.

Must stop adding music to my MINI... http://nickpresley.com/xm

Thanks,
Nick

[CurtP]

I made the aux adapter and I ended up buying the official MINI adapter anyway. The one I made worked, but seemed a bit dodgy after I had spliced in the ground loop isolator. The isolator was $15-$20 from RatSak by itself, plus you'll need the connector that fits in the back of the radio. My biggest complaint about the RatSak GLI is the size -- it's huge.

I believe it cost me less than $40 shipped from Classic -- if I remember right, it was around $35. Still be more than what you want to pay, but worth it IMO.

BTW, if you want the correct connector that goes on the back of the radio, I happen to have an OEM one. I believe it uses the same type of pins that is used in the computer connectors. My new MCS has satnav, so I pulled the pins out of the aux adapter and plugged them into the existing plug.

[ToreB]

By the way, does any have a electronic schematic of the aux "wire" assembly? By finding out what's in this and the loop isolator we can make this ourselves for a few €uros...
Pictures of aux wire components can also help.
Regards, Tore

[nickp]

I went ahead and built the AUX cable using the method from this site:

http://www.neeshil.com/nsite/miniaux.asp

Install was quite easy, although I wasn't so sure the panel under the steering wheel was going to pop off at first, I really had to give it a good tug. Even though the plug you make doesn't clip in like the official piece, it fits well and doesn't move once in place.

I got the Belkin iPod charger for Christmas, so I did purchase the Ground Loop Isolator from RadioShack for $15, plus a second Y adapter (RCA Stereo to Mini) for $5. I purchased the second adapter so I didn't have to splice in the wire (seemed to be an issue for CurtP in this thread). About $20 more than I wanted to spend, but it works perfectly. The Ground Loop Isolator isn't as big as I thought it would be, that main segment is about the size of a "D" battery. I'll tuck it all underneath and put up some pictures a bit later.

Overall, I saved about $20 and didn't have to wait for shipping. That being said, I mainly did it because I enjoy little projects like this.

-Nick

[DrMarkie]

Well I just drove to Tate MINI of Annapolis and picked up an adaptor...... $40. I asked if they did installation and they quoted me $224 because "it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to fit".

So I thought all the advice out in these forums must be nonsense. But I gave a quick tug on the panel beneath the steering wheel, it dropped down and then I reached round the back of the head unit turned the clip part uwards and it went straight into the back of the radio. I was done in about 45seconds. I didnt install the socket, but I dont really like the look of it all that much. I prefer just a wire going from the the side of the under steering wheel panel straight into the ipod in the cup holder.

So thanks to all the great advice on here I saved $180.

I owe you all a beer.

[GadgetGav]

1.5 to 2 hours to fit...!!!! I need to go and get a job there..! Maybe all their techicians are blind and only have one arm.
I've done several (when I was making cables) sitting in the persons car in the rain. Even with the doors closed it didn't take more than 20 min..!
ToreB, I don't know what the OEM cable consists of but a simple GLI is just a 1:1 transformer on each channel. Small signal transformers from the communications industry is what I used.

[KID]

Hi.
thank you guys for information about this.
I just installed DIY AUX input and isolator.
I made ground loop isolator by myself.
The transformer' s impedance is 2000 Ohm for both.

here is the detail
http://www.fbody.jp/mini/

[ToreB]

KID, this is very good. Congratulations with a very resourceful web site.
Best regards.
Tore

[Neeshil]

Cool! Glad my site helped someone (Of course my guide that I typed up was only possible because of everyone at Mini2)

Quote: Originally Posted by nickp

I went ahead and built the AUX cable using the method from this site:

http://www.neeshil.com/nsite/miniaux.asp

[Wylex]

Hey i've heard some talk above of there being an official mini aux kit? Where did you get it, are they also available in europe as it seems the people above have talked in $$, and does the actual delaer have to install it or is it DIY kit they sell?

Thanks
Wylex

[azimmerm]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wylex

Hey i've heard some talk above of there being an official mini aux kit? Where did you get it, are they also available in europe as it seems the people above have talked in $$, and does the actual delaer have to install it or is it DIY kit they sell?

Thanks
Wylex

check with your dealer. they should have it.

[Bugged]

Quote: Originally Posted by azimmerm

check with your dealer. they should have it.

The official MINI kit should be available from your dealer for $35 to $40. It CAN be installed easily yourself in less than 30 minutes. However if you have a model year 2002 MINI, it will not work.

[KID]

Thank you ToreB.
I am interested in your Gallery.

Thank you Neeshil.
Your guide has been a really big help.
Especially, using PC parts idea is wounderful, great, impresive.