Hi all - First time posting anything, so I thought I'd make it something kind of fun as opposed to asking what exhaust or wheel and tire setup is best..

I decided about three weeks ago that the stock sound in my 07 S was , well, awful. After doing a bit of research I found an option that seemed to fit the bill.

I decided to go the Crutchfield route and then have the system installed by people I know to have done several Mini's previously. The components I used are as follows.



Polk Audio DXi6501 6.5" Component Speakers

Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface
...
BMW & Mini Radio Interface 07-Up Mini 06-Up Select BMW nonamp.

SiriusXM SXV200V1 Satellite Radio Tuner

Alpine CDE-HD148BT CD Receiver

Alpine KTP-445U Head Unit Power Pack 45W x 4 Car Amp

Euro Antenna Adapter OEM F to Motorola M

Mini Dash Kit 07-Up Mini Cooper I, DD

Bazooka BTA6100 BT Series 6-Inch 100-Watt Amplified Tube Subwoofer

The first thing worth noting, is the dash kit looked surprisingly nice. I was concerned it would look decent, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Right out of the gate, I achieved a dramatically improved sound quality which I was very pleased with. Along with that I now have Bluetooth, Sirius - XM as well as a USB connector which I really like from the standpoint of sound quality.

The Alpine Radio and accompanying amp achieved a couple of things, size combined sound range and quality. I have them in two of my other cars and it'll be hard to push me off the Alpine combo. I decided to go single as opposed to double din as it offered me everything I need, and kept the price down a bit.

After having it for about a week, their are several areas I will likely change. The Polk speakers are not even close to being able to utilize all the amp can push out. They are good - but I think I could have spent a bit more and received better results. At higher volume they truly come alive, but lower they are slightly lacking. The 6x9's in the back are stock, and I may change them. I am not pushing anything to them to speak of now and frankly don't notice them, but may as an experiment swap them out. The Subwoofer is good, and due to its size and packaging makes a lot of sense for me. In retrospect they make an 8" that may have put out a bit more rumble.

I will most likely do some sound dampening via Dynamat or similar. I think that by reducing noise the quality of the sound will also increase accordingly.

So that's my audio mod...overall a solid 7 out of 10. I think with a couple of tweaks I can get it up to a 9

Cheers

Sam

 

Thanks for sharing. I like the head unit - understated

Did you use the antenna that came with the Sirius SXV200V1 or was your car prewired for satellite? I have an R53, which is not prewired, and would like satellite, but not at the expense of having a black bump on my roof...

 

I did use the antenna that came with the sirrius, however at present it sits on my dash with just a touch of wire showing. The downside is the reception occasionally craps out a bit easier than if its on the roof. I may decide to get the antenna that works with the Satellite and incorporates in place of the stock aerial.

 

Do you have a link to the aerial replacement? I was wondering if there was something like that available but had missed it in my searches. You have inspired me to dig deeper!

Fingers crossed it fits Gen 1s

 

I do not have a link - but if you search on Mini Mania you should find something. I suspect others out here can point both of us to several other options as well.

 

What is that piece surrounding your tweeter and where did you get it?

 

I had it installed - so for both tweeter and sub, brackets were made. On a related note, I sent the Polks back and replaced them with a set of Focal Polyglass 170. Some may not notice, but for me the quality of sound was night and day. But...the price difference is also significant.

 

Did your kit delete the controls on the speedo cluster? If so any issues?

 

It did in fact delete the controls and the digital readout. They send a pretty nice filler for it, so cosmetically is adequate. With the radio interface installed, all warning lights, chimes etc. work as normal.

I figured losing the readout which I didn't really use much anyhow, was well worth having good tunes.

 

Thx so you are still able to reset maintenance light and other functions that you were able to control through that button cluster?

 

If you look at the pictures above - you can see there is no longer any digital read out, or any of the buttons that controlled the readout or radio. Any of its functionality was lost when the unit was removed. Any re-set of warning lights would that may have used those buttons need to be done by other means.

 

How would u reset the maintenance light if u remove this?

 

I'd do it via the controls on the Tachometer in conjunction with the BC button on the turn signal, which is what I have always done.

 

Okay thanks the reason I asked because earlier in this thread some one said that the delete would create issues with maint reset etc.

 

Just curious, because I'm about to embark on a similar install. Where and how did you wire up the Bluetooth mic? And is there a reason you didn't just bridge the amp to 90 watts / channel?

 

The microphone was run behind the dash and basically sits in between an air vent and the speedo. No wires show, however the downside is if you have the ac or vents on, makes talking tough.

In terms of 90. - no need .The alpine components work extremely well together, and when combined with the Focal speakers it's more power than I can use a 45 watts and fits well behind the dash. Once the volume goes above 17, you're into ear bleed mode with no distortion. The sound is also exceptionally clean at low and mid. I've seen a ton of systems with massive wattage pushing the speakers and sub - and frankly this one puts 99% of them to shame.

 

Hi, I have this Head unit with me.Can someone tell me what features this unit has?.Can it be coded into a Mini Cooper Countryman F60?.