I plan on changing the factory in-dash CD player and installing a 10-disc CD changer & companion radio/cassette player that I already own from my previous car. I NEED to have the cassette & the CD option available in my car...
No way I can justify spending $895 for the factory 6 disc changer! WAY overpriced!

Anyway... my concern is WHO I can trust to install it!
I imagine that whoever I trust enough to do the swtich will have never touched a mini before. I'm scared!



Does anyone have any advice as to how I can choose a the right installer? I am clueless...
and to complicate matters further, I have opted for the steering wheel with cruise & the radio controls. Any chance they will be able to hook that up to?

Dealer did not have any advice, any help would be appreciated... THANKS!

FYI: I'm in South Florida and expect an early August delivery.

 

Well....
I don't think you will be able to use the stereo controls with an aftermarket unit.....

In the early 90's I had an Acura Legend.... which had the audio controls on the steering wheel. At that time there was no way to do so...... and I would imagine that the story is still the same today.

As for installers..... I'm not familiar with your area so I'm not sure....
The best advice I can give is get to know the installer. If you like them as a person.... have them do the work.

In the Atlanta area there is a great installer..... Audio Concepts in Conyers, GA.
The owner (Troy) is great to work with. He has done 99% of all audio work I've had done. Their shop is very clean and they carry great name brand equipment.

Hope this helps.... Good luck.
SW

 

>>and to complicate matters further, I have opted for the steering wheel with cruise & the radio controls. Any chance they will be able to hook that up to?
Here's an interesting link from this very topic at the Mini2 website. They are mostly Brits discussing "Wave" and "Boost" UK radio options which may or may not have anything to do with the US version you (and I) will be replacing.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...;threadid=6739
If you look very closely, you'll find a post from an American who found the following product:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pacswisteerw.html
The above is a reseller, but via industrious internet searching I found the manufacturer: http://www.go2pac.com/flash1280v2.html

I have an email into their tech support and will repost if I hear something.

 

Ask any local ruputable stereo shop that sells the same type of CD and has the correct install kit that is compatible with the harness that is in you MINI. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT cut into the wires in any way, shape or form. This will void some of your warranty and you could be in danger of something terrible happening such as an air bag deploying when it shouldn't, or not deploying when it should!

 

If anyone puchases or already has a Mini with the steering wheel controls that lives close to Santa Ana, California, let us know. We would like to see if the SWI-X can be interfaced into the vehicle.

For those who don't know about the SWI-X, its a universal steering wheel radio control interface that works with 98% of vehicles with steering wheel controls and most radios with an infrared remote control. More info on our website.

 

amagnetta,

when i first looked at the mini i noticed that the head unit design was strikingly similar to that of the bmw 3 series. the only real difference was the faceplate and the rounded ends it seemed. that being said, i figured there might be a possibility that your head unit would work with the bmw 3 series cd changers, which are typically on ebay for around $250. if the cd changer does work, it would really simplify things as you wouldnt have to worry about getting an aftermarket head unit to work with your steering wheel controls or the aesthetics (trim panel, illumination colors, etc.).

Ernie

 

since you live in florida i would suggest going to your local sound advice, all the people there are really experts.

 

Solution to replacing factory headunit with aftermarket stereo.

Well it turns out that the Cooper is similar to the BMW. So you can use our SWI-X to regain use of the steering wheel controls with an aftermarket stereo.

You can order the SWI-X from crutchfield.com