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Navigation & Audio R53 Factory Nav w/o Harman Kardon??

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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 01:50 PM
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R53 Factory Nav w/o Harman Kardon??

I ordered a replacement JVC radio from Crutchfield and when I received it, there was a hand written note inside the box instructing me to call their tech services department. When I did, they explained to me that "since you have the factory navigation, you automatically have the upgraded Harman Kardon stereo" and I would need to bypass the amp by running new speaker wire. Does anyone know for certain that having the factory nav means you have the H/K system?

The Crutchfield guys are the experts, but I'm 99% sure I DO NOT have the H/K system. I just installed a set of 6x9's in the back and never noticed an amplifier, plus my front door panels do not have "Harman Kardon" speaker grills.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 02:03 PM
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quickest way to know is pull the cover on the right side in the back and see if there is an amp there. Which you probably would have seen when you installed the 6x9's. My guess is no HK then.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2017 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by BumpDaddy
they explained to me that "since you have the factory navigation, you automatically have the upgraded Harman Kardon stereo"
That is absolutely wrong.

Originally Posted by BumpDaddy
I'm 99% sure I DO NOT have the H/K system. I just installed a set of 6x9's in the back and never noticed an amplifier, plus my front door panels do not have "Harman Kardon" speaker grills.
You are correct — your car doesn't have the H/K system. I'm surprised that Crutchfield gave you wrong information.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2017 | 06:54 AM
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RKW - I was surprised too! But knowing Crutchfield were the "experts" in car audio installation, I was doubting myself. I even paid $25 extra so they could pre-wire the wiring harness, and they skipped the wires for the speakers due to the H/K amp. I'm going to ask for a refund on that! Thanks for your help everyone!
 
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Old Apr 2, 2018 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by BumpDaddy
I ordered a replacement JVC radio from Crutchfield and when I received it, there was a hand written note inside the box instructing me to call their tech services department. When I did, they explained to me that "since you have the factory navigation, you automatically have the upgraded Harman Kardon stereo" and I would need to bypass the amp by running new speaker wire. Does anyone know for certain that having the factory nav means you have the H/K system?

The Crutchfield guys are the experts, but I'm 99% sure I DO NOT have the H/K system. I just installed a set of 6x9's in the back and never noticed an amplifier, plus my front door panels do not have "Harman Kardon" speaker grills.

​​​​​​I have the same situation as you and am thinking about doing this as well. I wanted to ask how it turned out for you?
 
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Old Apr 11, 2018 | 11:28 AM
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Yea, no HK. Another choice is this VDO unit. I think if fits the MINI and has that Oem tyle color display in the orange. Comes in blue also. You can get them in CD and NON CD and they have bluetooth version. Very OEM+ looking.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vdo-parts/v-mini/c-interior/











 
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Old Apr 11, 2018 | 09:13 PM
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Those look super nice and the VDO version would look great in my M Coupe.... but no line out or HD radio
 
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Old Apr 12, 2018 | 07:06 AM
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No HD yet, maybe in the future. Aux and USB ports. Out of many, I have seen I think it looks the best if added to a MINI. Other ones just don't have that OEM feel.
 
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Old Oct 29, 2018 | 09:18 AM
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Factory Nav audio?

Originally Posted by ECSTuning
Yea, no HK. Another choice is this VDO unit. I think if fits the MINI and has that Oem tyle color display in the orange. Comes in blue also. You can get them in CD and NON CD and they have bluetooth version. Very OEM+ looking.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vdo-parts/v-mini/c-interior/











Does the sound from the factory nav system come through these decks from ECS Tuning?
Thanks
 
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Old Mar 6, 2023 | 02:04 PM
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Just saw this, we heave not tested it on factory nav cars.
 
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