Hey all
I have a 02 cooper with the stock head unit and I want to add in a USB port or replace the stock unit so I can use my phone to play music instead of relying on CDs? Any suggestions on keeping things simple or should I go all out and get a nice head unit. FYI I have stock speakers but and amp and 2 10 inch subs in a box in the back.

 

No OEM option for USB, but you can get an aux-in connector for $30-40 and installation is a breeze. The bad news - if yours is an early '02, your HU doesn't support the aux-in. The good news - you can get an '03+ HU for pretty cheap. ($50-80) An '05-06 unit will be a little bit more, but also plays MP3s.

 

Not much use to the OP, but actually the aux in appears in the coding for my 06 HU. It's possible that older units support it but it's disabled.

As above there is no OEM USB support. There is an aux in kit, the E46/E39/E53 kit is usually a few bucks less than the 'mini' one and is the same product.

If you have the OEM HK you need to do a lot to make it work with an aftermarket HU. Since you don't then it shouldn't be a problem to change it.

Becker look the most OEM if you can find one, if not some of the late 90's blaupunkts seem to match.

 

Eric,
My 02 mcs was manufactured in July. Is this "early"? I was informed that the aux adapter was not compatible with my head unit and that I could not swap a later radio because the wiring harness was different.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

 

I would like to do this also with my 06 but have HK and seems from what I have read on here is not going to be easy or possible? :( and adding the cd changer is like $1000...ugh!

 

Word is that August was when the Aux-in started working, but you could get lucky. If you're doing the Aux-in either way, get it and try it with your head unit. You've been misinformed regarding the wiring harness. I put an '04 HU into an April'02 build MINI some time ago, so I'm pretty sure a newer HU would work for you.

 

HK doesn't affect it either way. The Aux-in goes in a slot in the back of the head unit. If you have Nav, you may need to relocate a pin or two.
CD changer should be a breeze. I see them used occasionally for <$100, and the car should already be pre-wired. Oh, you've got an R52 -not sure if those were pre-wired. Aux-in should still work though, and is a more effective and space conscious option.

 

Last time I looked at the install doc it was 9/2002+, which comes with every MINI aux input install kit.

But doing a swap might work.

Here is an older thread with the Nav.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lled-pics.html

Thanks

 

So thanks for all the support and responses. In the end I put in a kenwood head unit, replaced the tweeters in the door, replaced the front door speakers with kickers, which took some modding of the inside door panel and took out the back speakers for now. I want to do something with them, but you have to take out the back seat to get to them.

 

Thanks for the update. Yea the back panels will have to come out of the 6x9" speakers behind them. Good luck.

 

look into a go groove, its a Bluetooth/usb/aux and a radio transmitter, no need to fool around putting the aux in, also can charge the phone