[miggs2002]

Does anyone know if you can upgrade the standard Mini Boost Stereo to either the Harman Kardon or Digital Sound Module. Or do i have to replace all components with aftermarket product to get a better sound. I was hoping to have it as discrete as possible.

Thanks

Michael

[ScottyB]

Michael,

I believe both units can be retrofitted - however, at a ridiculous retro-fit cost (HK is something like AUD $3K? retro as opposed to like 900 alone, or inclusive with the Chilli pack).

Your better bet is to talk to your dealer about the Digital Power Sound Module - which is a retro-fit only unit. Its about 1000 pounds - so not cheap either. Probably best to give your dealer a call

Also, try this link to motoringfile:

MINI pumps up the volume

[Todd!]

Scotty - I asked the same question when I purchased my car... form memory it was $2700 plus fitting at that time - and there was over $700 in fitting - they basically told me to go and get the top of the line Alpine setup for a similar cost that would blow the HK into the water...

I decided that I would get the boost that was in the car on the floor and listen to it before I organised anything - I got it and decided that is was pretty bl00dy good...

I also realised that one of the best things you can do with a Cooper S is to turn the stereo off and put down the window and listen to the supercharger screaming its ***** off as you tackle your favourite roads...

The $900 option is pretty good - but to retrofit it, would be a waste of money I think...

Todd

[ALD0]

Yeah to add to your comments-H/K is a nice option and discrete. But you can pretty much match the sound with a good after market Stereo.

[IML337]

I've also had dealer quotes of about $3k to retrofit HK to my S, as HK wasn't available when I ordered 'back in the day'

[GBMINI]

A whole new set of wiring harnesses are needed for the HK - the interior panels of the car would have to be removed to run a harness from the HU to the HK amp position in the trunk area; then new wiring to ALL the speaker locations - including new harnesses inside the doors ... absolutely not designed for retro-fit!
As said above the digital sound module is a much simpler retrofit but I have never read anyone with it and have no idea what its performance is like.

Good quality speakers will significantly improve the Boost sound quality. Beyond that, a new head unit and if you need lots of power then external amps too ... all this for less cost, the only loss compared with HK is the sound customisation options which are tailored to the MINI.

[Tit]

For $2700 you could get an absolute beast of an aftermarket sound system. A good car audio installer can usually put aftermarket speakers under the stock speaker grilles so they don't look aftermarket. They can also hide the amp(s) etc quite neatly. The only obvious change in the car would be the head unit.

IMHO you should save your money and get a potentially better sound system for a significant amount less. You could even install a decent car alarm to protect it and still spend less money than on the HK....

[erichui]

well i am no audio pro but honestly if i have the choice i wouldn't go for the HK for retro fit, i have HK on my new car and aftermarket headunit with stock speakers on my old car, to be honest i think my old car had similar sound sound quality to my HK even with the stock speakers (i had an alpine aftermarket headunit) from my memory. If you are ordering a new car i wouldn'd mind going for HK but for retro fit probably not.

[aphix]

Before i got my mini i had a few options, one of the options was a new car, at the dealers with everything but the H/K. I love music, and a good sound system is a high on my list. I asked if i could have the H/K system fitted. He said yes it can be done, but its silly money. He actually said if i wanted the car, he would take the car to a speclialst and fit a top of the line (not a brand like alpine, pioneer, but a british speaker company, and their speakers are the dogs) for me. And then supply the H/K speak er grilles

I eventually, got 5 month old, car owned by BMW with the H/K.

The parts are expensive to start with, and the labour is silly. The whole interior needs stripping out, wiring lombs need changing.

If youve allready speced the car, or have the car. Get aftermarket. The H/K system is good, it suits me fine, and like i said, i love music. Its clear, my only complaint is the sound doesnt fill the car very well, and the 6x9's never feel as though they are doing anything.

My friend has a cooper s, without H/K, when he drove my cooper the day i got it delivered, he said that he would have the H/K on his next car, as the sound is muich better, but hes gone and got him self a new mustang now

I am still sorley tempted to get some focal utopia 165w componets, mount some focal 5ws subs under the seats, and focal 6x9s in the rear, with mBQUART amps, but its hard to justify the expense, when the H?K system isnt a bad system.

Rob