Hey all, I've an R53 with steering controls and a harmon kardon system.
Cd's are sticking in the deck and while it sounds great it lacks some of the features i want. (like being willing to put a cd back in) so i am looking at replacing it. However i've heard that this can be a huge pain so i want to go somewhere that will do the job right and not brutalize my wallet.

does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks much

 

just came from Quality autosound and got a $2k estimate for the whole deal; That is deck, amp, speakerers and a sub. I too have the HK system in my 53 convertible but I think the system is lacking in all areas. Looks like I willl need to save a feew dollars since you have to do the entire swape at once.

 

I've been generally happy with the sound of my system, but if you are really into base I can see how it would fall short.
I talked to Paul at car toys in denver on broadway. He was recommended by someone at peak euro sport. Just for the deck to be replaced with "something decent," and to keep the steering wheel controls starts at $500. which is frustrating as i thought it would top out at $400. but half of that is the steering controls.
I just want to make sure that it is done right and most of the smaller businesses seem to be gone now.

 

Splat we have to meet up, I am new to the Mini community but am ready to jump in with both feet. I live in SW Littleton by Chatfield Reservoir.

Back to the stereo dilemma, the cost just for a deck is closer to $750 depending on the deck of course. We are limited to a single din deck eliminating the NAV decks Anyway, $200 for the steering control, $350 for a good deck and $180 for the connector from the deck to the H/K amplifier and all that you have is a better deck that can do MP3 or Aux in. Not a great deal in my book.

I don't know how much you can sell all the HK stuff for to recoup some of your cost but that will be the way I am going to go, all at once. It will be a bite out of the pocket book but I will save a lot of time and some money.

BTW I spoke the GM at the Park Meadows Car Toys, good guys have done custom work for me before.

 

i went to the denver car toys today and you are right, i'm looking at near $700. but they are bypassing my amp altogether.
i don't think i have the exact price break down, though i get 10% off because i was referred. it was something like $150 for the amp bypass, $250 for the steering control, the face plate, and $179-$259 for the deck which i am not certain of yet...
....do i want to pay $80 more for blue tooth. i've never had blue tooth and my phone is usually uncharged so plugging it in is good. decisions decisions.

i am in boulder and was a member of the 5280 club but have slid off the radar lately

 

[QUOTE=Rockrunner;3645219]
I don't know how much you can sell all the HK stuff for to recoup some of your cost but that will be the way I am going to go, all at once. It will be a bite out of the pocket book but I will save a lot of time and some money.

QUOTE]

Not sure what they are going for now, but I got $600 on ebay for my working HK amp. This was a few years ago, so they might be cheaper now.

 

I got a 10" MTX sub, higher end JVC head unit (USB, Bluetooth, iPod, Aux, etc.) with an amp, wiring, and steering wheel controls all for $935. I'm sure it varies regionally, but unless you're going really high end, $2k sounds steep.

 

Couple of things to remember about bluetooth, you don't have to use it for just calls anymore. While you are CHARGING your phone you can be listening to Pandora or music from your phone using Bluetooth. I would tell you go for it, soon we will not be able to use our phones unless they are hands free.

I will pm you my info later.

 

Not going high end but more upper middle.

Deck $350 middle
Amp $600 Middle
Steering control same
Speakers $400/$300 Fr/rr
Subwoofer $195 CHEAP
Plus about $600 labor

Your system sounds like you will be keeping your speakers saving a lot of money.

Now you want really high end like you said I was going and I would be looking at $2000 just for the speakers $1000 for the deck $3000 for two amps and $1500 for a custom sub box add install for another grand and you can easily spend $8500 to $10K on a SIMPLE system.

It all comes down to the pocket book and what you are willing to spend or can spend.

 

I'd recommend bluetooth. If you're planning on holding on to the car, I suspect there's a good chance that hands-free will be required before you sell it.

 

How handy are you? I purchased the parts and did it all myself making sure to lay everything out and think through all parts I wanted and paid substantially less... I "hacked" into the wiring harness for the HK amp bypassing it and connecting a higher end Kenwood excelon amp and excelon receiver with bluetooth and USB connection with 64GB USB drive connected. . I replaced the front speakers with infinity Kappa components and left the back speakers as they do provide great bass. I've not converted the steering wheel controls yet, and not a huge thing since I have a remote for the stereo. There are a couple of interface adapters on the market for the steering wheel controls, I tried one it didn't work will purchase the other when I get a chance and it warms up... I have a garage but its still a bit cold at this time.
Majority of everything was purchased through ebay and amazon.com (receiver and amp were factory refreshed items so paid about half price for each) The last thing to do now that I have it all done is to go back and do some sound proofing this summer. Majority of the wiring wasn't bad.

 

Oh and by the way, I saved the parts and can put the HK amp and head unit back within a few hours I'm sure...

 

From a few reviews I've read this is supposed to be one of the best adapters for the steering wheel controls...

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=80

 

Ckeck out this link
http://www.integralaudio.com/index.php/mini.html

I did the Soundstage on my 2009 R56 and it's awesome and looks like factory, he has a kit for the R53 as well... I just bought an 06 GP and might do the sub only in it...

Here is a link to my R56 FJCW
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzqumeD

 

Another option is the I-POD 1/8" jack, I installed one last night on my new 06 GP R53... it was like $40 ($38 and some change) at the dealer and all you do is plug it into the back of the HU and drill a hole either in the glovebox or just under the toggle switches, that's were i put mine.... set the radio on AUX and it sounds great, better than CD IMO... and for $40, you can't beat that....My CD was sticking also on the way home from buying the car last week.... that was my first and only mod on the GP

 

I would do the head myself, I've never done one, (i still really want to call it a deck but the proper name seems to be head. why?) or really anything with car wiring. i can follow directions but my impression has always been that mini and bmw wiring are their own special headache, which makes me nervous without backup. plus, no garage
i also lack a garage so i am inclined to pay someone to make sure it is done right.
Aleclee: you make a very good point on the bluetooth.
StuRat: i have considered just doing the ipod jack for now
my b-day is in a few days so i figured i would see how that goes... i will either buy a stereo, save it for a stereo, or get an i-pod jack and new running shoes.
on my old stereo, in a different car, i just had an ipod that lived in the glovebox. it would seem that having that option now would movie me up to a video player *rolls eyes*

 

It can be a bit daunting... but after sweating over an E34 535 for 2 days, essentially learning on the fly, I then did a Saab and now to my R53. If you take your time, research it all, print the wiring diagrams, start shopping and buying the parts needed, it will be warm by then... and the garage wont matter... Good luck with whatever choice you make, but most of all... Just Enjoy