I have a 2005 MCSC with the HK stereo. Recently, the CD mechanism failed and my dealer said he could replace it no problem.

The dealer replaced it with a older, non 2005 HK headunit. I complained right away and the service man said he was sorry and thought they had replaced the correct unit.

I wrote to MiniUSA to complain and this is the response I got:

"As for the radio concern that you mentioned, MINI can use remanufactured as a
replacement part during the warranty period. I have not heard of changes to the
2005 radios, but I want to look into this to make sure I am correct. Please
allow me a few days to look into this. If there are further questions I can
assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail and I will be happy to lend a hand.

I was able to get answers faster than I thought. :-) The volume **** on the 2005s is slightly different from the 2004s. The 2004 type **** is a tiny bit smaller than the 2005s, however all of the functions in the radio are the same. Therefore, the dealer has replaced the radio appropriately. If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail and I will be happy to lend a hand."

Even a representative from MiniUSA does not even know their product! Didn't know that the 2005 can read .mp3 CD's. Anyway, I wrote backing pointing out the obvious, demanding a 2005 replacement not an older version. This is disheartening.

 

I've been wondering about this very thing.

I recently replaced my totaled MINI with a used 2003 Cooper. Had an aux input installed and the iPod didn't work. Took out the headunit to discover that it was a May 2002 head unit in May 2003 car.

Since the car is used, I don't know its entire history. I had 2 theories. 1: The previous owner swapped head units with another MINI owner. But, the car doesn't seem like it was owned by an "enthusiast" or someone who would have known other MINIs. Or, 2: There was a problem with the head unit and MINI replaced it with a remanufactured (read: older ) one under warranty.

If there was no "difference" between the head units, I wouldn't really mind an remanufactured one... But to swap a 2003 with a 2002, and have functionality difference, is absurd.

 

Well, what I find most disturbing is MiniUSA themselves doesn't know the difference between the 2005 HK units and the older ones. And then to tell me it's OK to replace a brand new 2005 unit with an older one because the are functionally the same, even though they are not.

 

I would definitely insist on a 2005 unit to go in there because of the MP3 thing. Heck, I like the new **** enough to want that as well.

As long as it looked OK cosmetically I would not be bothered too much by a reman unit though as there is probably less of a chance it would fail again compared to a new one.

Also, the HU has nothing to do with the H/K-ness of the system. All the HU are the same and they connect via a cable to a box in the back of the car and control it.

 

If it was only a slight cosmetic difference like the previously mentioned ****, I'd let it slide.

But since you are losing actual functions, then they need to replace it with the same unit.

 

I'm with MINI USA. I'm sorry to read about this problem with your radio. The 2005 radio is, in fact, different from the 2004 radio and you should contact your dealer. If you or your dealer need our assistance, please phone us at (866) ASK.MINI or email us at MINI.Assistance@askMINIUSA.COM and mention Reference # 200501100531 so that we can help you more efficiently.