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Navigation & Audio Alpine halo9 ... And other big displays in my R56.... HMM
Navigation & AudioAudio upgrades, bluetooth, and navigation discussions surrounding the Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.
Also want to keep the function of the factory computer display in the FACTORY SPEEDO by pulling out the factory CD player... leaving it wired in, except for the speaker outputs (unless that makes a fault code).... and running the new unit as a stand-alone, non integrated with small powered subs below the seats and the other speakers in the factory location (mine is a NON HK car)
From what I can tell... I can extend the factory stereo harness without cutting anything by making a small pigtail with an adapter harness and a donor radio connector/harness from wrecking yard car.
The factory ribbon cable from the factory cd player to the factory Computer display should be easy to extend with parts from eBay or Ali-express.... IMO.
Then I'll have a superior iPhone music and CarPlay interface and video display without modding the factory harness, nor giving up the factory display should I need it. Plus... better navi with Google maps or WAZE.
Keeping the factory volume and track-changing buttons and the Phone buttons functioning (with a much better in car microphone) will be a huge plus... and there are great adapters out there, like the Axxess ASWC-1, to do just that.
To the left of the wheel/Tacho.... I'll probably have iPhone attached to a CravenSpeed Fixie or the Scosche Magnet mount pro to the left of the wheel for my iPhone ... and use an OBD2 port-driven extra gauge console on the phone display... I really like having the speedo, and other gauges easy to read, next to the steering wheel in my line of sight !
I'm still contemplating the Halo9 for an Ice Blue 2011 MCS mini project. (one of 2 '11 MCS here)
In contemplation.... Still seems to me to be best to move the factory CD/Electronics part (the factory head unit) to the 'secret compartment' using a ribbon cable extender so that the car believes that everything is as it came from the factory. Just would need the extension ribbon, a wrecking yard factory MINI dash harness for the connector to make a 'pigtail adapter' to extend the factory harness to route comfortably and without strain INTO the head unit, an aftermarket socket to complete that and some time doing a clean install into that location.... Heck... I can even run the factory HU speaker output into the aux input into the Halo9 unit as an aux input with an inexpensive LOC (line out converter) and still have the CD player... HMM.
Having full CarPlay, a BIG touch screen all of the PROPER RCA outputs, great sound quality, Bluetooth, a great microphone, cameras, navigation etc etc etc just seems to me to be a good way to go.
I've read through all of those threads... lots of good info there.
In the end, I'm left feeling that the systems have a fair amount of "tweaking" involved and deleting the factory speedo... seems to have a lots of pros and an equal amount of cons.
The two above in the first post have HUGE displays, which are great for these old eyes... and a true apple partnered CarPlay in the Alpine is certainly appealing.
The only tweaking was the OEM removal and install...which honestly is fairly challenging. The trim pieces have to be taken off and put back on in a very specific order but the actual work isn’t difficult. One Torx driver is all you need. I loved mine.
And it’s for sale. I traded in my JCW this past week and took it out prior to turning it in. It’s in perfect working order, no wires were cut, its all plug and play. PM me if you’re interested. I’ll be posting it up on the marketplace along with a bunch of other stuff in the next few days.
I've read through all of those threads... lots of good info there.
In the end, I'm left feeling that the systems have a fair amount of "tweaking" involved and deleting the factory speedo... seems to have a lots of pros and an equal amount of cons.
The two above in the first post have HUGE displays, which are great for these old eyes... and a true apple partnered CarPlay in the Alpine is certainly appealing.
But, I'll have another look.
Thank you for your post here .
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Did you fit an aftermarket head unit in the end? I’ve just fitted a unit that replaces the speedo but in fairness, it’s very buggy and the sound is terrible. I’m looking to take it out and fit a double din with a Alpine Halo or Sony XAV=AX8050
Did you fit an aftermarket head unit in the end? I’ve just fitted a unit that replaces the speedo but in fairness, it’s very buggy and the sound is terrible. I’m looking to take it out and fit a double din with a Alpine Halo or Sony XAV=AX8050
