Hi All,
I have a 2005 "S" Cabrio. Last winter while washing my car at a do-it-yourself car wash, I hit the antenna base on the windshield header with the wash brush, and the base broke right around where the antenna attaches. I glued it back together with super glue, and it held for a while, but has broken again (and I have glued it again). I contacted the dealer about replacing the antenna base, and they quoted me a price of over $300 ($125 for the part itself). Has anyone encountered the same problem? Do you know of any aftermarket antenna bases? Any idea of the process for replacing the antenna base? Please advise.

Thanks for your help!

buzz-buzz

 

I smashed one a couple of years ago, and had to replace it. I did the work myself, but the price was high: it has some electronics in it. I'm not aware of an aftermarket alternative. I'm afraid that you're going to have to bite the bullet, and buy a new one.

 

I'm sure you already thought of this, but other than buying one new, you're only option is to find one off of a wrecked Mini.

Try these guys for a start (it says to enter your postal code, so I assume it's a canadian website, but you can put in a US Zip code, I tried). I've never used the site before, but it looks like a good setup, it searches your parts through a number of different used parts dealers, you may find what you need:
http://www.car-part.com/

 

What is involved with replacing this? Mine is broken and needs to be replaced as well.

 

Thanks for the part search link...found the base for $82.00...any ideas on how to install?

 

Sorry guys, I've never taken one apart, so I have no idea. I would think that it would be quite simple, especially if you take a good look at the old one as you take it off. The other option is that any good independent auto electronics shop should be able to do it for you, for a very small fee (more than $30 would be too much, imho). Also, since Helix13 said above, that he had done his own install, I'm sure he can tell you what's involved.


Just a suggestion, if you do decide to do it yourself, take a picture with a digital camera of the guts of the old one, as you take it off. That way, if you forget where a wire goes, you can just look at the pic on your computer. I was changing the switch housings on my Road King last year and did this. Because there are so many small wires inside those housings, having those pics saved me a lot of grief

 

Like my old r53 hatch it looks like the base is held on with one nut. You will have to remove the trim panel to access the nut. I have not removed the trim panel on my r52 yet but I am sure it is not THAT tough. On my r53 I removed the nut with a pair of pliers. Once out just un-plug the connector.

I plan on removing the antenna base on my car and filling the hole left in the sheet metal, that base is just ugly and with an iPod in the car totally un-needed! AM will come in fine for traffic info as the antenna is in the head unit itself. I will take a look at the panel to see about removing it.

Anyone want to buy my base?

 

That Sounds great, I would be very interested in buying your base. Let me know the terms.

buzz-buzz

 

I will take a look today when I get to the shop. Looks like all that needs to be removed is the lighting panel. I will let you know, I am sure we can come to an agreement.

 

Done! I removed the base, it was easier to drop the whole panel than to remove the lighting block, the clips are difficult on the block.

Just remove the two torx on each visor clip and the two screws holding the visors on and then pull the panel down, it is held on with 2 clips. Easy as pie.

 

how big is the hole once the mount is removed? I'm 100% iPod on mine too and wouldn't mind taking that off as well. Any pics of your removal?

 

The hole is about 3/4" square. The worse part is that there is a dimple about the size of a silver dollar. It will not be that hard to fill. I put some vinyl over the hole for now.

No pictures, I did not have the camera handy. It is not tough. Remove two torx screws from visor holders, two screws from visors and give a yank on the panel. There are two clips holding the panel. You will un-plug 3 wiring connectors and then you can un-screw the retainer nut holding the antenna base.

The car looks 1000 X better without the ugly base up there and the stupid antenna to top it off.

 

There is a new/used one in the Marketplace for sale....

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p/product/9657

 

Thanks to CoopersGuy and everyone here, I replaced my broken antenna base at home. I emailed and called several sources for used replacement, and even enlisted the services of the Visa Signature Concierge, with no luck. Ended up ordering a new piece through the local dealer, and they were kind enough to provide me with some significant discounts over what I could find for the new part online.

Didn't take photographs, since I was in a rush, but here are some pointers:

1. The visor clips are held in with T-20 torx screws.
2. It helps to unclip the rear view mirror before pulling the paneling off. The mirror comes off by rotating the base, and you can leave it dangling off the electrical cord.
3. It's difficult to get to the retaining bolt on the antenna base with plyers unless you remove the mirror, lift the interior panels from the A-columns, and remove the rear view mirror (as above).
4. Another handy tool is one of those interior panel tools made of plastic, with a bend and an edge to slip under the black grommet material while putting everything back together.