I heard (read) a rumour that the "new" features weren't all being introduced at once, and ALL 03 features wouldn't be available until Jan.

Specifically, I want to know if Sept. Build 2003 models are fitted with the promised upgraded head unit, featuring the AUX jack in the back (and the XM features, but I don't really care sbout them).

Also, does anyone have pictures of this theoretical new "sport" steering wheel?


_________________
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper 'S' Machine! (Awaiting Transport! Wheeee!!!)

 

I have an October build date, and am expecting delivery in early November. My dealer said my car will be fitted with the upgraded stereo, and extra remote key and the possibility of a DVD based Nav system (not definite)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Black MCS Black roof, all options, Blue and Black Leather, 17 in S lites on High performance tires!

 

>>I have an October build date, and am expecting delivery in early November. My dealer said my car will be fitted with the upgraded stereo, and extra remote key and the possibility of a DVD based Nav system (not definite)
>>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Black MCS Black roof, all options, Blue and Black Leather, 17 in S lites on High performance tires!

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>o&lt ;<<<<<<<<<<<<& lt;<<<<<<<<<<<&lt ;


I inserted this in another forum; but here's the response sent to me by MINI, regarding the HK stereo, and the DVD based Nav system (my "build" date would be Dec/Jan, est):

****************
Hello David. Thanks for writing into MINI.

Regrettably, none of the three options you inquired about mate are available at this time.

As of today, the roll out for the Harman Kardon sound system and auto-dimming rear view mirror is December 2002. The DVD based navigation system will not be available until much later in the model year.

Please stay in touch with the sales team at your authorized MINI Dealer and us at http://www.miniusa.com for updates on the availability of the Harman Kardon, auto-dimming rearview mirror and the DVD navigation system.

As soon as details are known we release this information at http://www.miniusa.com.

LET'S MOTOR.

James Frost
MINI Division
Customer Relations



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David G

 

New info on the 2003 stereo: it WILL come on all 2003 cars, and MINI is planning ana daptor that will route through the glovebox, so you can MP3 out of site.

 

Ellis Island? Don't you mean Jersey City???

 

I'll be a 2003 owner in just a few short days now!!!

 

I picked up my 2003 Cooper a few days ago, and was told that it had the satellite-ready thing. It still needs some manner of hardware, though. I didn't really care because I can't get behind the idea of paying for radio.

 

>>I picked up my 2003 Cooper a few days ago, and was told that it had the satellite-ready thing. It still needs some manner of hardware, though. I didn't really care because I can't get behind the idea of paying for radio.>>>

AMEN! Plus it's not even good radio! And certainly can't compete with CDs! And while were at it, most stations STILL have commercials!!! AND you have to PAY for it!!!

 

Pay radio is on a level with bank charge cards-the biggest bank scam for a long time. I use a credit card which pays me $600 a year to use it. I haven't paid interest ever. With a bank card they take your money immediately. Rubbish. Just like pay radio. Bin there dun that.

 

>>>>I picked up my 2003 Cooper a few days ago, and was told that it had the satellite-ready thing. It still needs some manner of hardware, though. I didn't really care because I can't get behind the idea of paying for radio.>>>
>>
>>AMEN! Plus it's not even good radio! And certainly can't compete with CDs! And while were at it, most stations STILL have commercials!!! AND you have to PAY for it!!!
>>

You obviously haven't driven a car with XM radio. The MAJORITY of channels ARE commercial free. The ones with commercials have about 60 seconds worth of commercials an hour.... FAR less than regular FM/AM radio.

The charge is very cheap... $9.95 a month is nothing for over 100 stations... and stations you can't even get on FM/AM! It also rocks for long road trips... there is ALWAYS good music to be found on XM... or for that matter... other types of stations.

I hear people complaining about sat radio... but it's ALL from people who have never had it.... I've NEVER heard a neg thing from someone who has it or have heard of someone getting rid of it.

I love driving for 6 hours and listening to the SAME radio station... and being able to get a read out on my deck of the Artist name and title on EVERY station. There is no comparison.

 

>>I heard (read) a rumour that the "new" features weren't all being introduced at once, and ALL 03 features wouldn't be available until Jan.
>>
>>Specifically, I want to know if Sept. Build 2003 models are fitted with the promised upgraded head unit, featuring the AUX jack in the back (and the XM features, but I don't really care sbout them).
>>

I have a 2003 model MCS delivered 4 weeks ago..

How can I tell about the head unit? The only visible difference I've noticed is a proper glove box!! :smile: Also doors lock automatically at 10mph, see you home lights. Both set as factory defaults

 

>>You obviously haven't driven a car with XM radio. The MAJORITY of channels ARE commercial free. The ones with commercials have about 60 seconds worth of commercials an hour.... FAR less than regular FM/AM radio.
>>
>>The charge is very cheap... $9.95 a month is nothing for over 100 stations... and stations you can't even get on FM/AM! It also rocks for long road trips... there is ALWAYS good music to be found on XM... or for that matter... other types of stations.
>>
>>I hear people complaining about sat radio... but it's ALL from people who have never had it.... I've NEVER heard a neg thing from someone who has it or have heard of someone getting rid of it.
>>
>>I love driving for 6 hours and listening to the SAME radio station... and being able to get a read out on my deck of the Artist name and title on EVERY station. There is no comparison.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here here!!
My delivery date is Feb 03, 2003, and I for one am extremely excited that my stock stereo will be xm ready. I currently don't have xm radio, but a friend of mine does and its "oh my god awesome". The music channels are awesome, you get like 12 news channels and the comedy channel "Extreme XM" (adult) is funny enough to make you have to pull over. Plus I can drive to my shore house in the summer and drive to my ski house in the winter and never have to change stations! For $120 bucks a year, I'll take it every time!

 

>>>>>>I picked up my 2003 Cooper a few days ago, and was told that it had the satellite-ready thing. It still needs some manner of hardware, though. I didn't really care because I can't get behind the idea of paying for radio.>>>
>>>>
>>>>AMEN! Plus it's not even good radio! And certainly can't compete with CDs! And while were at it, most stations STILL have commercials!!! AND you have to PAY for it!!!
>>>>
>>
>>You obviously haven't driven a car with XM radio. The MAJORITY of channels ARE commercial free. The ones with commercials have about 60 seconds worth of commercials an hour.... FAR less than regular FM/AM radio.
>>
>>The charge is very cheap... $9.95 a month is nothing for over 100 stations... and stations you can't even get on FM/AM! It also rocks for long road trips... there is ALWAYS good music to be found on XM... or for that matter... other types of stations.
>>
>>I hear people complaining about sat radio... but it's ALL from people who have never had it.... I've NEVER heard a neg thing from someone who has it or have heard of someone getting rid of it.
>>


I do not have satellite radio in my car but have listened to it for several years at a job I worked at. There were TWO stations I liked and yes they were both commercial free. But to think I'd pay a monthly fee for those 2 stations is absurd. That's what CDs and Mp3 players are for! Just my opinion, of course.

 

My 2003 is satellite radio ready. What other equipment do I need? Anybody know? Thanks a bunch!

 

yes, my 2003 "S" came with the aux jack and xm features

 

i see people saying their 2003 have the aux in or sirius ready, but what are you going by? is there a lead in the car to plugin for the aux in? i've seen pictures of the back of a 2003 head unit and it looks the same as a 2002!

 

So do you still have to purchase the descrambler hardware and the antenna I wonder?

Satellite radio becomes one of those things you don't really want to live without after a couple of roadtrips. I have the XM Delphi system that happens to fit perfectly underneath the toggle switches just behind the lighter. It also has the ability to be taken out and put in my house without really disturbing much at all.

But hey, for those of us without cable TV satellite radio is pretty cheap.

 

I was also considering the Delphi SkyFi XM for my MC. The display is the right color and I love being able to see all the information (channel name, song title, and artist) at the same time. However, the spot below the toggles is need for my coffee cup... another necessity. Did you go with the FM modulated system and power from the cigarette plug?

The other option is to wait a few months for the Alpine Sirius system which will work with the existing Alpine OEM CD radio. The connectors are supposed to be in the boot and your mode button will then toggle you between AM/FM, CD, and XM once connected. I hate the idea of cluttering up my interior with cables and brackets if an OEM-fit is available.

 

Crutchfield, my wish mag, has the Delphi Skyfi:
Delphi Skyfi

 

I have a 2002 MCS and currently awaiting my 2003 which should be here in march or april.

 

>>I was also considering the Delphi SkyFi XM for my MC. The display is the right color and I love being able to see all the information (channel name, song title, and artist) at the same time. However, the spot below the toggles is need for my coffee cup... another necessity. Did you go with the FM modulated system and power from the cigarette plug?
>>
>>The other option is to wait a few months for the Alpine Sirius system which will work with the existing Alpine OEM CD radio. The connectors are supposed to be in the boot and your mode button will then toggle you between AM/FM, CD, and XM once connected. I hate the idea of cluttering up my interior with cables and brackets if an OEM-fit is available.


I love the Delphi unit I have, and yes the color matches everything else perfectly. My unit is wired using the NEW FM modulator. Apparently the old ones got recalled for some reason. I love having the larger display unit and the ability to take the whole thing in and out. As far as cables there aren't any that you can see.

I hadn't heard about the Alpine setup, it would be nice to have it all in that same head unit though. But I have to say that having the larger screen really rocks in my opinion.
I had an Alpine unit in my Mercedes that kept dying on me and they finally had to replace the whole unit after three attempts to fix it, it was only eight months old. So I'm no huge fan of Alpine anymore.

 

the OEM sirius satellite adaptor (which is still vaporware since no one has seen it) will be cool to control via the factory headunit, but i no-one knows how they're going to do text display. Since the headunit display seems pretty limited, my guess is that there won't be a display of what channel you're listening too--that just does not seem very useful to me!

but again this is all guessing since no-one has seen one, and the only confirmation we have is the one from the dealer--which i've learned to be wary of!