So I noticed a HK amp & harness from an ’11 Clubman on eBay for not terribly much. I have an ’09 Clubman S with the Boost stereo. (I guess "boost" must be german for "meh". )

I really loved the HK in my '06 MCS, so I'd likely be quite happy with the new one. (Yes, I know, it's not Integral Audio.)

Seems like a good price on that amp, coupled with picking out some decent aftermarket speakers and pillar tweeters would be a nice upgrade, not too expensive.

Has anyone had a good experience retrofitting? I've searched NAM and found some threads for the first gen car, nothing definitive.

Thoughts? Thanks guys

 

Well first off ALL radio systems in the USA models are "Boost" but there can be three dirfferent levels depending on year.

2007- 2009 Base or HiFi
2010 - Base, HiFi, or H/K
2011 - up Base or H/K

HiFi and H/K can be spotted by tweeters in the A-Pillar. H/K are marked as H/k and the HiFi have no marking on the tweeters.

As for up grading a 2009 to H/K. Although it probably can be done the amount of work to replace the really harness that needs to be replaced would mean taking about 80% of the interior out as the harness that goes from the radio to the amp is different from a HiFi to a H/K and if you have the base radio there is no harness. In either case it would also require recodeing of the car by some one that can change the vehicle order id. Dealers will not normally do this.

If you are up for a challenge go for it and let us know how it comes out. But be ready for some very frustrating times.

Edit: you would also need to find and change all the speakers as the base and HiFi speakers, their parameters are not correct for use with the H/K amp

 

I recommend not trying to retrofit that into the car. I did a H/K install on a gen 1 car, and it took a lot. You really need to know what your doing with wires to make it all work and trouble free. Also you will need to have all the extra speakers, the kind of speakers, and a few other things...

Chad
Detroit Tuned

 

Thanks schatzy62 and Chad! This sounds like while the project may be do-able, it would be just as much work as installing aftermarket. The listing says it includes the harness, but I suspect that doesn't mean all the speaker wiring, etc.

Sounds like I should just continue saving for a full aftermarket replacement. I appreciate the sanity check guys!

 

I just stumbled upon this thread...I ended up winning that exact amp. I just did the retrofit tonight on my 2008 HIFI.

I'll post more details soon, but it works great. Plug and reprogram was all it took. That amp was actually from an R58\59. So the brackets are not compatible. But some good zip ties took care of it.

The sound is AMAZING!! Even with the junkie HIFI speakers, I can't believe the volume and clarity!

 

I'd love to see the details -- sounds like it worked out well! I'm glad you snapped it up then. my Clubman has the base stereo, no tweeters in the pillars, so it would have been a good chunk of work to add those, assuming the rest of the wiring was in place already.

 

In your case (without the HIFI), I would totally look at the official Alpine retrofit kit! Comes with AMP (goes under pass seat) and speakers.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...42&hg=65&fg=95

Looks like it runs about $550. But reviews are a bit mixed on that system.

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES1599518


It would have been a nightmare trying to retrofit the HK amp without the HIFI harness (as the main vehicle harness is different).

 

Wow, thanks for the link! I had no idea that existed. Price honestly looks comparable to picking out decent speakers and amp by myself, especially since I'm not looking for a $2000 Integral Audio system!

Looks like Mini of South Atlanta will sell it to me for about $630. The part number doesn't show up on the search for my local Mini of Peabody listing, which seems a bit odd. I should just call them instead of wondering

 

I think that set does not include the rear speakers, which you will want/have to upgrade yourself (just a heads-up)

 

You are correct, it is just the front six speakers only and the new amp only powers the front speakers. But rear is just good for fill anyway, I wouldn't bother changing them out.

That link for ECS tuning seems to be the complete package, and that is just a $20 bucks more than Parts.com price for both the install kit and the retrofit kit.

You would also have to get new A-pillars for the tweeters (depends on your color interior, gray or black):

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...32&hg=51&fg=40

 

That was kind of my thinking too -- they're not horrible, they're merely not good.

I'm an idiot: I failed to notice that really helpful ECS tuning link -- I followed the first one and started branching out from there.

So, doubly thank you!

 

I had read that the rear speakers distort at higher volumes with the Alpine kit, which is why I mention it. Would be prudent to fact check.

 

This is an interesting retrofit kit but i'm wondering does this Alpine kit really outperform the stock HiFi? I just changed the rear speakers in my car to a set of old Alpines that I had for years now. If this kit plugs right in to the stock wiring harness it does look like a great deal.


Even though the rear is VERY underpowered, the speakers have a ton more bass and much cleaner highs.

 

The Alpine kit is for non-HIFI vehicles only. The main vehicle wiring harness is different with the factory equipped amp.

 

Correct strobey,

For MINI with the "basic audio" system as an upgrade. Non H/k or Hifi. Here is pics.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/65412153318/




You will need the corresponding A pillars (colors) that's also that have the speaker pods to insert the additional speaker you would be adding.

Here is the additional install kit.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/65412167234/ES1929984/




Thanks and hope that helps.