Successful DIY aftermarket sat/nav installation
 

***Do this at your own risk***
***Be careful with your MINI***

Tools I used:
- MAGNETIC Torx screw set (You need a magnetic set otherwise you'll loose the screws within the dash or vents.
-Plastic trim removal plastic tools (my kid called them spatulas)
-Philips screw driver
-extensions for all screw drivers for hard to reach areas.
-PATIENCE

Used this video

I recommend you:
Pause the video on the all important frames of instruction, screenshot it, paste it in MSPaint - Crop to size and Print to make yourself a short booklet.






There is a problem however, in the beginning of the video at 0:34, there is two options on his screen

"Removal and installing/replacing instrument panel/trim bottom right"
and

"Removal and installing/replacing instrument panel/trim bottom right (Only US Incl Knee Airbag)

He clicks and displays the first, which by my guess is an R60 with no knee airbags. This was a huge headache for me at first, as I could not find a video describing how to remove the bottom right panel and the airbag itself. I have a strong suspicion that is requires a whole lot more work that I can perform.

...So at this point the only way to get at the screws beyond the panel was to use the extensions on the screwdriver. This is where the magnetic bits were a godsend. I had to pull the plastic down a bit and make room, it was enough to make me uncomfortable but not enough for the plastic to bend.

Once those are removed you can follow the instructions easily.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...aca5df9e16.jpg

Anyone doing this can reply here and I can share anything from my experience. I'm at work so I cant get into details too much, will edit update when available.



Monday June 12 2017

Nice work man...
What is that aftermarket sat/nav you put in??..looks nice...any link??
Are you satisfy with that??
Thanks..

Its this one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Andr...311.0.0.Jgq7zf

I had to contact the vendor and ask him to send me one that is not pink.
It comes with a rear camera that I wasn't able to install. I don't know what wires to splice and plug. Ill have to do more research for it.

Otherwise the unit is pretty good. I would give it 4/5.
DVD works fine, Bluetooth pairs great and the iGO Navigation is pretty cool too. I use mine with a female Australian voice. haha.

The drawbacks are that the LEDs behind the plastic (for the kph and such) are sorty off center.

Make sure to do your research, find one that has a fast processor.

and keep the factory unit. Ive read around the forums that BMW needs it for some critical reason if your car needs major work.

..thanks for all those usefull informations...i might give a try to this one..
https://www.seicane.com/android-in-d...ontrol-s127017
..note sure yet about the hall "surgery" lol..
thanks again..

Does it require any wiring?

depends on the unit you purchase. mine came with all the parts needed. what youll want to look for is one that comes with the "harness."

When you pull the original radio out it has a few things plugged in the back of it, which are easily pull off, but what you have left is a slot for a very specific configuration. If you purchased someone who caters to MINI then the "harness" they send you snaps back in that slot.

Push your new radio back in, put all your dash parts back in place...and tada!

Edit:

I cant remember quite well but the harness is like an adapter that clips to the existing plugs coming out of the dash. Either way, its very easy. Like putting legos together.


I should add, mine came with iGo navigation and it has crashed once so far. It displayed an "missing folder" error. I messaged the seller and they sent me the required files.

Good Luck!

Good day to all..i own a mini countryman '13 with NO central unit/nav...is there any chance to put the original unit over my car??any knowledge about it...i have found the unit in a good price...what else do i need for thi installation??..the half car?? lol
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...0e5ffed9f5.jpg

Oh nice find. I think the original screen needs more than just the head unit. Dont quote me on that but you need the toggle wheel nipple thing that is used to navigate the menus abd probably another CD/Radio Drive..

Let us know if you end up putting it in.

you will also have to code the Navi option onto the car.

Do you have a link to where you purchased all the nav related equipment?

I'm looking to install it for a backup camera system.

I didnt bought that unit..there were many things more to buy to do the project....so i decided not to do it..if you want a link for the relative equipment i cant help you...
good luck with your plans..

youre coming from the facebook group right? The backup camera was tricky to set up, it gets sent wires uninstalled to the head unit. Youll need some know how to get it together.

but this is where i got mine:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/193...647.0.0.tDdYGR


But like I said, go for the more powerfull processor. I bought a Quad core and its a little slow to start up. But it works just fine once im on the road.

Yes, and thank you!