So the Alpine i-F309 is a single DIN 9" receiver with a "floating" 9inch touch screen. Has anyone installed this into a 1st gen mini yet? Do you think it would fit? Crutchfield says it's not compatible but I see that more as a challenge than a warning. Thoughts?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILX...-f309&skipvs=T

 

I saw that in recent CES. My thought is putting a double DIN display in a car with single DIN typically look tacky, unless there is very compelling reason - like if you don't have the sexy big center speedo (not the swimsuit ). A good single DIN with bluetooth (aren't they all now?) for a fraction of this will do more than an admirable job without looking tacky.

And I only buy Alpine HUs.

 

It seems to have started with the Mercedes GLA a few years ago, but have you noticed how many OE touchscreens now look out of place? I don't get it, but it somehow makes aftermarket units look better, haha

 

This man says "it should fit in most cars." His notion of cars is more like Lincoln Navigator and Expedition which Ford disallows employees from buying at a discount because they can't build them fast enough for fat profits.


I say, it will look tedious in a Gen 1 Mini.

 

As a single DIN unit I don't see why it wouldn't physically fit. The screen might block access to AC/heater controls and maybe some of the speedo. A 9" screen would be huge and out of proportion for the 1st gen interior.

 

I'd love to have that in my F56, sadly it would work easily.

Contact an Alpine installer shop and see what they say.

Crutchfield used to be great, sadly they don't really test fit many cars that I've owned.

 

I tend to agree with the comments. 9” is a massive screen inside a mini and it would look out of place. The single din I have in there replaced the stock CD player which was infested with electrical gremlins possibly from moisture. I just hate the blue color of the screen/buttons which I’ll probably replace in a year or two.

 

The big issue with the flip outs is that they hit the plastic speeedo surround above and dont angle fully up. Give it a try though, that one looks like it may stick out far enough.

Btw if you have the hk system I think you need to run new wires to each speaker.

 

I have the same HU installed and soldered out the blue LEDs for some white ones. Might try to look for a matching bmw orange LED down the line. Wired the screen up to a backup camera and its been performing great!

 

 

I drilled it into the trunk trim above the license plate. Used an "oem" looking camera so that it sits nice and flush. The trigger is wired to the reverse bulb and also ran to the HU so that it automatically turns on the camera when shifting into reverse.

 

Has anybody actually installed one of these in their R50/52/53?

I'm definitely tempted, but would love to see a photo.

 

Do you have any pics? I just picked up a R53 and want to replace the factory head unit. I'd love to get something other than a basic single DIN unit. If I were to have one I could use a back up camera with I'd do a rear windshield wiper delete and install the camera there.

 

I've installed the Alpine unit in my R53 I love it
The hardest thing was making some L brackets to hold it in place.

I'll get some photos later this week.

 

Attached photo of the installed head unit and screen.

edit. In my gallery

In the gallery: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture/11119321

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture/11119338

 

that looks pretty good! Can we see a side view? Whats clearance look like? Can you angle it up to you? Did you have the HK system?

 

 

I will post some more pics this weekend. I did not have the HK system. I have not upgraded the speakers yet. (This is a GP so no rear speakers anyway). One of my goals with any changes to the GP is that they be easily reversible.

It does not hit the dash. It is far enough from the dash so that is you know where the ac controls are it's not a problem. For a while, I had the screen higher (It can be adjusted up and down) but I liked being able to see the gas and temp gauges so it is a trade-off.

The angle fo the screen can be adjusted. When I angled it out too much it increased the reflections on it and I didn't like that. The depth of the unit in the opening can be adjusted as well and that gives you more flexibility with the angle of the screen.

 

how Does it adjust up and down, is it a motorized function or a manual set and forget?

 

Thanks for posting. Have been considering one of these Alpine Halo9 units, but I have the OEM SatNav in mine, so would probably have to remove the screen and replace with the OEM centre tachometer.
Does the screen detach? Main concern would be thieves that spot it and smash my windows, wreck my locks and dashboard trying to steal it if it's constantly on display.

 

The screen does not easily detach. It slides into the head unit and is then bolted from underneath. If someone were to yank the screen off without removing the bolts it would destroy the unit.

 

Oh. Would need to get tinted windows then. I think someone would try to rob that if they peaked in my car and saw that on show. Shame.

 

Any follow ups on the Halo9 install?

I'd love to see more pix and hear a bit more about the unit !


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Sorry for the delay responding, I don't come on the forum mutch. I have no complaints at all about the head unit except for the initial price. It works well, the screen is easy to read in all light, the Sirius is nice and the android auto is great for hands-free and navigation.

I have a GP so it only has door speakers, and I intend to upgrade those and add a subwoofer behind the passenger seat over the summer. The Alpine was an easy install and I just had two fabricate a couple of L brackets to be able to use it in the stock location, bought a Matra (I think) harness and it plugged right in. No modifications were needed to the harness or anything else. The Sirius antenna is magnetic and on the roof in front of the wing, and I just ran the wire along the trim edges hid from sigh to the head unit.

Only downside is the visibility of the gas and temp gauges. I make sure to have the range up on the spedo unit so I won't inadvertently run out of gas.