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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
So I know it's pretty outdated at this point, and a lot will just say "Oh get a new car with the features you want!" but I'm looking for a head unit that is somewhat close to the regular interior light color of orange or adjustable, has bluetooth and/or aux input, and won't ruin the dash look too much.
Welcome! I don’t think you’ll have too many people on here telling you to get rid of your R53.
You said “or aux”, so there’s always the option of adding the oem aux accessory to your head unit. The only catch would be if you have a really early R53. If so, you’ll have to get a slightly newer radio from at least 9/2002(?) car production in order to add the aux accessory.
Factory radios can usually be found for around $60-$100, maybe less.
I am in the same boat as the OP, looking for a single DIN HU that will connect to either Andriod or Iphone via bluetooth. I found the interface that will be needed to make the steering wheel controls work, but would like some input on personal experiences with HU's
My used R53 had a Sony receiver with USB/Aux/Bluetooth. It would connect to my Android phone, but had to be re-paired every time I got in the car. I did a little online research and that was a common problem with it and it was discontinued by Sony.
I went by my local Bestbuy to see what they had in stock. They had this unit on sale as an open box: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500UTE...-73bt&skipvs=T
The box had been opened but nothing inside had be removed or opened.
I figured for $85 I could bring it back if I hated it. I love it! Besides perfect pairing and controls for my Samsung S7, it has 24 bit D/A converters for the inputs that does make the streamed audio sound better. You can pick the display colors, I have the buttons red and the readouts blue. Looks great. It's only 18 watts x 4 but that is plenty for the little MINI, it rocks. It took me about 30 mins to install sitting in car with the AC on. I am an electrician. There is a reason that most commercial electrical wires are connected with wirenuts - the connection is copper to copper and rock solid. Solder is not as good a conductor and you don't have to worry about burning up your car interior.
I use the TuneIn radio app on my phone a lot and have 33 gigs of mp3's on my phone. If it is playing when I turn the car off, it will pick up where it left off when I start the car. It says the USB also reads flac files, so I will be ripping some of my favorite CD's to flac for even better sounds. The phone controls work great to. It will autoanswer if you want but I leave it manual, just have the press the phone button to answer. The mic clip clips on the wiper stalk and everyone can hear me fine even with the whine of the supercharger.
Welcome! I don’t think you’ll have too many people on here telling you to get rid of your R53.
You said “or aux”, so there’s always the option of adding the oem aux accessory to your head unit. The only catch would be if you have a really early R53. If so, you’ll have to get a slightly newer radio from at least 9/2002(?) car production in order to add the aux accessory.
Factory radios can usually be found for around $60-$100, maybe less.
That's the kicker, mine rolled off in February 2002. I didn't realize you can retrofit a newer radio though. I guess I'll look into it but at the same time I still would like to have built in Bluetooth but oh well Thanks!
I had been considering on a new head unit to replace my aging OEM unit that has the factory iPod adapter, but wanted a more OEM look compared to the normal standard look with most aftermarket head units.
Just came across this, yes it will need that cable, but also need a male/male connection in the middle of that plug that goes into the back of the head unit. Dab is the design.
Is that necessary as well, or can I install without it?
I do like radio and look forward to hopefully having a head unit which might get better reception than the stock one which sucks.
My cd player just crapped out on me so I'm in the market and those VDO Continental jobbies look the right part to my eyes.
Yeah - These look pretty good compared to what I could/couldn't find when searching a few years ago.... and the **** won't go MIA....or with any luck, the dial may not spin out of control.
However, I defaulted to replacing my original ('04 R53) Alpine, factory head unit with one from an '06 R53 salvage yard find. I may not be a purist...I just prefer the look.
$25 and it is hard to believe that this thing hasn't failed 3years since I installed it compared to my original.
Thanks!
