I am interested in replacing the stock horn in my Cooper with something with a bit more character and volume.
Any of you out there have any experience or suggestions?

Jay
03 VR/VR Cooper

 

We but the air horns from Moss in both MINIs - easy to install and I like the way it sounds - definitely gets another drivers attention when they do a bonehead move on the road...

Donna

 

Went to Moss catalogus and their website. I saw no listings for horns.
Could it have been another source?

Jay

 

this is a Miata site but trust me, the horns will mount fine

I used the air horns for a few years...but just so you know...air horns need maintenance and seem to fail at the worst times.

I have the dual electrics in my '79 - they are matched pair from Hella, FIAMM is also popular for both electric and air.

http://www.mmmiata.com/cgi-bin/shopper

a few others

http://seriousauto.com/electrical/horns/horns.html

and this is an interesting one that cuts down the # of parts invlved to mount an air horn http://www.3rdstrategy.com/3rdMillen...Horn%20Kit.htm

and if you feel better using a Mini site http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/GR.../InvDetail.cfm

Your local Pep Boys and AutoZone undoubtly have similar kits.

**********
note, the increased power requirement of an air horn may overload the installed horn wiring even tho the MINI uses a relay system. Some say if it happens just put in a bigger fuse Most find that running a new relay, even using it in addition to the existing one, is the way to go. It isn't rocket science to install - I posted some instructions and a diagram https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=65727
that way you ensure you have a large enuf wire for the heavier power draw.

 

You want the Stebel horns mentioned here. Go to their website and you can listen to a sample. Electrical horns but sound like air and no compressor to install.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=58084

 

Look cool....who's a US vendor? Maybe I messed up but I only found descriptions....not a purchase source.

Inquiring minds want to know.....

 

If you search the forums for "horn" you will come up with tons of useful knowledge. Or maybe its use-less. Either way, check these out:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=horn

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=horn

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=horn

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=horn

 

A few of us have purchased ours here:
http://adventurersworkshop.com/Merch...ebel_Air_Horns
I'd recommend the "Compact" ones; I bought the standard size and it's a really tight fit.
Go to http://www.stebel.it/stebel/index.htm to listen to a sample of the sound.

 

thanks - looks interesting

how long have you had it? every set of air horns I've tried died within 2 years. Interstingly, not the compressor, but the reed in the horns would clog or rust and then they were toast....

Every set except the ones on my ships...now THOSE were air horns...

and I knew a guy who had a set of 5 horns under the hood of his old Rolls. They played Bridge Over the River Kwi march (I know, not the real name) ... now THOSE were cool...

 

I've only had mine since Christmas, but they still scare me everytime I honk them! If you're looking to save money, only buy one and see if it is loud enough for you. Two will make anyone near the car jump out of their seat.
Be sure to check this thread out. Let me know if you have installation questions.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=58084

 

Just ordered Steibel's Nautilus Compact.
Thanks for all of the info, will check back with questions on install.


Jay

VR/VR 03 MC

 

Okay sporst fans, just got the horn from Stiebel.
Looks as if one can wire it in parrallel with the existing horn.
Since I don't even know where the horn is in the 03 MC, any help would be appreciated.
Have tried the links suggested in earlier posts and most of them are out of date or continue the discussion of horn choices.
Looking for help.

Jay

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=58084
Look for the stuff I've posted.
No need to wire them in parallel with the OEM's; you have to remove them so you have the room for the Stebel's and the Stebel's are so loud, keeping the existing ones would serve no purpose.

 

Only question that I don't recall seeing a firm reply on is how the power draw of the St's compares to the stock horn? I recall it was more and you solved this by installing a larger fuse?

The 'recommended' fix in this case would be to install a new power relay with appropriate wiring - the same way one wires in a set of rally lights - about a 30 min job...

For those that haven't dug yet...the horns are in the corners of the bumper - kinda under the turn signals....not a lot of room to play with. But that's a nice thing about these horns - they are louder with out being much larger. I believe to install them in the same place you would need to pull the bumper cover off - not too difficult.

 

I installed a larger fuse (25 I believe). If I held the horn on for more than 5 seconds, it would blow the smaller fuses. Trial and error.

You're right, I believe the correct solution would be to install a new relay as others have pointed out.

I haven't had any problems with the bigger fuse.

 

SheaJeff,
Thanks for the photos in the other thread. They are the best I've seen to describe where the factory horns are and where to put the new air horns.

I ordered a Griots horn a few months ago and the only thing holding me back is figuring out the front bumper removal on my non-aero MCS. Would you mind detailing out a breif overview of how to get the front bumper off?

Cheers

 

Look here http://www.m7tuning.com/main.m7/store/10001 and download the AGS install instructions. The bumper cover removal is in there.

Matt

 

If the Dr.'s prescription doesn't work, let me know and I can check the Bentley manual. As I recall, I just started unscrewing stuff around the bumper botom, and worked my way up the sides to the top.

 

it comes off real easy - very obvious once you start.

a hand full of phillips screws around the bottom and into the wheel well - 2 hex bolts in each wheel well - and the two torx screws you see under the hood - then disconnect the various lighting circuits as the bumper comes free. It took about 30 min to get it off the first time - less to put back on.

 

See this great walk-through for bumper removal, with pictures:

http://mini.uglydoris.com/archives/000020.html

 

Very nice, thank you everyone for all the great useful info. Now I just need to weasel out of some "honey-dos" so I can get time to install the horn.

 

If your honey's anything like mine, don't let her see the car with the bumper off. It looks scarier than it really is; my wife avoids the garage when she knows I'm working on the car; better to not know than be upset about it, she says.

 

Sounds like my wife too, and I can't blame her. She has run into me with the front and rear bumper covers off-scary sight.

Now I just tell her "trust me, TRUST ME. I'll tell ya what I'm doing later, when it's DONE!"

 

Don't tell her about the horns then...

but put some plastic on the seats when she's in the car the first time either of you hit the button

 

Guess I'm lucky. I had my wife helped me gut the boot interior, the passenger side, and most of the dash while installing an ice-link, cargo shelf, and Ian's window circuit on a mass install weekend. Same situation on the 330 convertible, only was more challenging to gut.

Sometimes I need her second pair of eyes for the hunt on an elusive screw I just can't seem to find (typically is found under my butt )

Cheers