I have recently had my head unit replaced in my 2010 Clubman Non S. I had a Pioneer AVH-2300 installed and used the Metra Face Plate, Chimes Module, Metra Harness, Antenna adapter and a Bypass designed for the Pioneer do it did not look for Emergency Brake engagement. Also had a Kenwood XR-900-5 5 Channel AMP installed with wiring to the factory Speakers and a Kicker COMP-S 10" SUB. All professional installed at reputable auto sound shop with certified techs.

The Sound is 1000 times better than the Base stereo so I am pleased with that. My Post install issue is it seems the Accessory power is messed up. I am noticing two issues.

1) When I insert key fob in dash radio will not power on till car is started. The rest of the dash lights all come on as normal. When I start the car the radio powers up just fine. When I hit the stop button the radio powers off instantly. After about 10 minutes of car being off Radio loses certain Settings like date and time.
2) It also seems that my ability to insert the fob and just tap the start button once quick to turn on Accessories is not working and car starts no matter what I do or how quickly I tap the Start/Stop

Any ideas? I am hoping it is a simple addition of power to something that was ether wrong on harness out of package. I plan on going back to him this week but wanted to provide some feedback as he had quoted me 2 hours for the install and ended up spending 4 and getting all speakers wired to the AMP which was not originally planned.

The Advice is around the factory speakers. It is my intent to replace these this week when I go back. I have gone through the Forum and saw various recommendations on Polk, Kennwood and spoke to a few installers when shopping for the above equipment.

1) Installer said just leave the 4" and upgrade the/with 6.5" 2 way and 6x9 2 way
2) Another said remove the 4" and put 6.5 Component and Mount Tweeter where 4" was (which I saw thread here of user having done)
3) My tendency is leaning to replace all 3 just because I don't know any better.

Going away from the Polk as availability seems a little harder here it has been suggested I look at ether Infinity or Alpine. Keeping in mind this is the first time after 35 years of driving I have ever changed to an after market stereo and have no idea on how all these pieces intermix. I am wondering on the following.

1) With the above mentioned components is it worth Looking the type R or Kappa from Alpine/Infinity or would would Type S/Reference be a noticeable upgrade.
2) Reviews of the Alpine and infinity report the Alpines better low end Infinity better high end and some complain the Infinity to Bright even. Are you better to select one brand for both or would it make sense to Pick 6x9 from one vendor and 6.5 from the other to get the best of both worlds? Does that make any sense at all?

 

I have a similar system installed in another vehicle. I have the AVH-P3400 head unit with an Infinity 5 channel amp. I went with the Infinity Kappa speakers and they have never let me down. I'm using an Infinity 10" powered sub to round it out. Haven't a clue what's causing your power problems though. Sounds like the installer tapped into the wrong power source for the head unit to me. It should be just a switched source. On mine the amp is powered from the battery with heavy gauge wire, but is switched on and off by the head unit. Your amp might be drawing too much power to run without the alternator supplying a charge to the battery. Just guesses and speculation on my part. Good luck finding a solution.

 

The radio should Have separate wires for switched and constant power. It sounds like the constant power wire for the memory isn’t hooked up correctly.

On the accessories issue, are you stepping on the brake pedal when pushing the start button? With your foot off of the brake the car shouldn’t be able to start and only go into accessory mode.

 

Yep I am an idiot. Had E-Brake on and Clutch in. Just tried on my lunch with no clutch and right into Accessory mode and Head Unit Powered up.

 

glad you figured it out with the clutch. All of the keyless go cars I’ve driven were auto so I thought you were stepping on the brake.

Now you just have to check if the constant power wire is hooked up correctly, or if there’s a problem with the head unit.

 

Thanks VetsVette. did you go Kappa front and Rear? What is output of your amp?

The Kenwood is rated at and want to make sure my choice in speakers does not send me down a rabbit whole of having to add a new amp or a 2nd amp in order to realize the potential of them

• 60 watts RMS x 4 + 400 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
• 75 watts RMS x 4 + 600 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms

 

It's been a while, but I think it was 700 watts. Got a heck of a deal on a factory refurbed unit. I used the speaker with separate tweeter in the front and rear. The coaxial would probably work better with the space constraints in a Mini. My system is in my Suburban. Just have the HK in the Mini.