Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior GPS install how to with pictures!

Old Aug 22, 2009 | 10:58 AM
  #1  
dslucki's Avatar
dslucki
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From: Greater Los Angeles
GPS install how to with pictures!

Thanks to everyone here who provided me with information on how to do this. I ended up mounting my 4.3 inch GPS in the center console cubby where the USB and AUX in ports are.


Parts:
GPS and included GPS cigarette power cord
Add-a-fuse (Littelfuse Add-A-Circuit Fuseholder for ATO/ATC Fuses)
Additional cigarette lighter outlet (in store from Radio Shack – no link, sorry)
GPS Mount (IG-PSTARA: i.Trek Garmin Nuvi Sticky Mount on Amazon)
Tools:
Wire stripper/crimper
Screwdriver
Warning – do this at your own risk. I am not responsible for anything.
Installation:
1. Attach the ground wire of the additional cigarette lighter outlet to the screw on the right side of the glove box.

2. Crimp the red wire of the additional cigarette lighter outlet to the Add-a-fuse.
3. Run the add-a-fuse into the fusebox area.

4. Remove fuse for cigarette lighter (my R57 may use a different fuse than your car) and insert the add-a-fuse. Place the removed fuse into the add-a-fuse and test the ORIGINAL cigarette lighter. If it works, put in a second fuse into the add-a-fuse and test the ADDITIONAL cigarette lighter outlet.
5. Tuck the additional cigarette lighter socket away and run your GPS cigarette power cord to your desired location. I tucked mine under the passenger side where the carpet meets the glovebox/firewall. Then I ran it over to the center console.
6. Remove the back wall of the center console by slowly but firmly pulling it towards you. It is held on by two clips in the center. Once removed prep the part by cleaning and then install your GPS mount.

7. Replace the back wall and you are done!

 
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Old Aug 22, 2009 | 01:25 PM
  #2  
jbewley's Avatar
jbewley
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Emmitsburg, MD
Originally Posted by dslucki
Thanks to everyone here who provided me with information on how to do this. I ended up mounting my 4.3 inch GPS in the center console cubby where the USB and AUX in ports are.


Parts:
GPS and included GPS cigarette power cord
Add-a-fuse (Littelfuse Add-A-Circuit Fuseholder for ATO/ATC Fuses)
Additional cigarette lighter outlet (in store from Radio Shack – no link, sorry)
GPS Mount (IG-PSTARA: i.Trek Garmin Nuvi Sticky Mount on Amazon)
Tools:
Wire stripper/crimper
Screwdriver
Warning – do this at your own risk. I am not responsible for anything.
Installation:
1. Attach the ground wire of the additional cigarette lighter outlet to the screw on the right side of the glove box.

2. Crimp the red wire of the additional cigarette lighter outlet to the Add-a-fuse.
3. Run the add-a-fuse into the fusebox area.

4. Remove fuse for cigarette lighter (my R57 may use a different fuse than your car) and insert the add-a-fuse. Place the removed fuse into the add-a-fuse and test the ORIGINAL cigarette lighter. If it works, put in a second fuse into the add-a-fuse and test the ADDITIONAL cigarette lighter outlet.
5. Tuck the additional cigarette lighter socket away and run your GPS cigarette power cord to your desired location. I tucked mine under the passenger side where the carpet meets the glovebox/firewall. Then I ran it over to the center console.
6. Remove the back wall of the center console by slowly but firmly pulling it towards you. It is held on by two clips in the center. Once removed prep the part by cleaning and then install your GPS mount.

7. Replace the back wall and you are done!

Nice job. While my car was on the open sea I had decided that would be the perfect location. I did mount my first one there and it does look good helping out the looks of the center stack. I found with a drink in the holder I could not see it or get to it. When I upgraded my GPS it would no longer fit due to the type of mount it had.

I hope this works for you.

Jim
 
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Old Aug 23, 2009 | 06:49 AM
  #3  
BostonR56S's Avatar
BostonR56S
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 636
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Looks good, but for me i think it'd be kind of annoying to have to look down to refer to the map they show when they give more specific directions. (Normally when it says turn left in 200 ft its fine, but if you're in a city area, that 200ft can be pretty annoying if theres forks and splits and roads everywhere, and sometimes you have to match it to the map and outlined route. Just a far distance to look away from the road to see, thats all. Otherwise, Clean install! Funny btw, i used the same grounding screw when i first hardwired my GPS a year ago
 
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Old Aug 24, 2009 | 07:21 AM
  #4  
dslucki's Avatar
dslucki
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From: Greater Los Angeles
The looking down part is not that bad but it is something to be aware of. Would I rather have it somewhere higher so I would not have to look down or not have it blocked by things in the cup holders, yes. But, this install location certainly does the trick. I wanted an easy install, check. I wanted all wires hidden, check. I wanted something easy to hide the GPS without having to take it off the mount, check.

All in all I am happy with it. Hope this helps someone out.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 06:03 AM
  #5  
bakerjam's Avatar
bakerjam
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I have my nuvi installed in the same place, but you did a helluva lot more work than me.

My nuvi gives me free traffic updates, but in order to do that, it requires the cigarette charger. So I spliced the original cigarette lighter, and installed another one, ran it under the center console and plugged the charger in. The end of the charger cord comes out the back, and i just suction cup mounted to the same spot as yours.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 09:20 AM
  #6  
dslucki's Avatar
dslucki
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From: Greater Los Angeles
Originally Posted by bakerjam
I have my nuvi installed in the same place, but you did a helluva lot more work than me.

My nuvi gives me free traffic updates, but in order to do that, it requires the cigarette charger. So I spliced the original cigarette lighter, and installed another one, ran it under the center console and plugged the charger in. The end of the charger cord comes out the back, and i just suction cup mounted to the same spot as yours.
I also get traffic on mine. I wanted a solution where, if I needed, I could move the Nuvi to another vehicle, complete with the power cord for traffic updates. I thought about splicing into the existing cigarette lighter but liked this solution better. It is nice to see that we have so many different ways to accomplish the same thing.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2009 | 10:18 PM
  #7  
Sketch's Avatar
Sketch
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
nice install.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2014 | 06:29 PM
  #8  
Garivel's Avatar
Garivel
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Joined: Apr 2013
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I tried doing this and connected it to the cigarette lighter fuse but I can't close the cover for the fuse box because the Fuse Tap is protruding just a bit.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 07:16 PM
  #9  
miniforozzie's Avatar
miniforozzie
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Central FL area
looks good but that would seem like it could easily cause an accident from looking down that low.
 
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