Car stereo installation

[oreo]

I think I'm finally (after 80k+ miles) pull the trigger on a new audio system for the Mini, mostly because I don't have the funds for a new Mini (even though right now I'd probably get a Focus ST instead).

I'm sure hundreds of you all have swapped stereos in your Minis by now. Mine's an R53. How much of a chore is it to swap? I'll be getting an adapter kit from wherever I buy my new system (probably Crutchfield), but I've read that there's some cutting involved.

Any advice?

[cole9953]

Do you have HK? I was looking in to a new head and adding a sub to my 53, and found out that if you do a after market head you have to switch out all speakers. I forget why something like the OE speakers work on a different impedance than all domestic/ after market systems and will cause either your new head or the OE speakers to burn up. You might even have to Change all of the wires to.

So.. I never did it.

Disclaimer: this is based on a coueple hours of research I did like three years ago.very Possibly not credible ...

[cole9953]

Or maybe the deal was the source for all speaker wires came from the HK amp and not the head making the job a pain in the D

[maxmini]

Have I got a deal for you

[oreo]

Originally Posted by maxmini

Have I got a deal for you

Holy cow!

I just have the base stereo, single CD deal. Nothing fancy. My Mini was a base S with only the fog lights and rear fog (I didn't want any "blanks" in the switch bank). Not sure if I'll need to change out the speakers or not. I was looking at something like this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X660...H-X6600BS.html

But I'm more wondering about the work involved in switching out the receiver.

[maxmini]

I figured as much . I was just playin. Those pieces have been collecting dust in my garage for about 5 years now . Just a little bit of over kill there . To give you a more doable idea this is what I replaced it with . Its a simple 12 inch earthquake sub and a 400 watt rockwood fosgate amp.

[oreo]

Randy's idea of a sound system:



My idea of a sound system:



Anyway, I may be holding off. If they bring the Focus ST Diesel here in 2015, I might be getting a new car.

[minsanity]

2016 Mazda2 diesel, it might be a better choice?????

[maxmini]

Originally Posted by oreo

Randy's idea of a sound system:



My idea of a sound system:



Anyway, I may be holding off. If they bring the Focus ST Diesel here in 2015, I might be getting a new car.

Now we are talking

Chicks dig a big woofer

[Bumble78]

This made me think of the one guy that was building a wall in the back seat of his MINI, you should try that. Does anyone know what ever happened to that MINI?

[Rated_R]

Originally Posted by oreo

I think I'm finally (after 80k+ miles) pull the trigger on a new audio system for the Mini, mostly because I don't have the funds for a new Mini (even though right now I'd probably get a Focus ST instead).

I'm sure hundreds of you all have swapped stereos in your Minis by now. Mine's an R53. How much of a chore is it to swap? I'll be getting an adapter kit from wherever I buy my new system (probably Crutchfield), but I've read that there's some cutting involved.

Any advice?

I have an Alpine headunit in my R53. No cutting was involved. There is a mounting bracket that you need to get. Mounting kit

I recommend Alpine because it will match your factory dash lights perfectly. And because i have had my current unit for close to ten years with no issues.

Do you have HK? I was looking in to a new head and adding a sub to my 53, and found out that if you do a after market head you have to switch out all speakers. I forget why something like the OE speakers work on a different impedance than all domestic/ after market systems and will cause either your new head or the OE speakers to burn up. You might even have to Change all of the wires to.

So.. I never did it.

Disclaimer: this is based on a coueple hours of research I did like three years ago.very Possibly not credible ...

Cole I have the H/K system and my speakers work fine. the previous owner did swap the H/K amp for an aftermarket Alpine 4ch amp. Not sure if that makes the difference. While i am no expert, I have never encountered any speaker not making sound that wasn't bad. There are lots of audio snobs out there, sometimes misinformation gets spread. Who knows.

[maxmini]

Originally Posted by Bumble78

This made me think of the one guy that was building a wall in the back seat of his MINI, you should try that. Does anyone know what ever happened to that MINI?

I remember that guy . Add the kid with the yellow mini with the huge poke to the " what the hell,did I do to my car " list

[oreo]

Originally Posted by Rated_R

I have an Alpine headunit in my R53. No cutting was involved. There is a mounting bracket that you need to get. Mounting kit

Thanks! The Pioneer I was looking at from Crutchfield also has red lights. But they also have an Alpine that gets really good reviews.

Originally Posted by minsanity

2016 Mazda2 diesel, it might be a better choice?????

Only if they improve the looks, and if it handles as well as the Focus ST. I *really* like the way the Focus looks, and the diesel is supposed to have 182hp and 295 ft lbs of torque. That's way more than our Jetta TDI wagon, and the wagon really moves out once it gets rolling. My wife's already gotten 5 speeding tickets in it since 2012!

[ScottinBend]

Originally Posted by Bumble78

This made me think of the one guy that was building a wall in the back seat of his MINI, you should try that. Does anyone know what ever happened to that MINI?

98explorer(?).......?

Or something like that. No NAM access or I could check.

[Bumble78]

Originally Posted by ScottinBend

98explorer(?).......?

Or something like that. No NAM access or I could check.

Yes, I remember the build thread but I never saw it finished.