There seems like there might be enough room for a small amp in the area below the steering wheel. Has anyone removed the panel? Or know how I might go about it? I couldn't find any bolts ( but it was a bit dark )........

 

I tried to remove it to install my boost guage but never did get it off. Apparently there are two clips on either side of the steering column that pop off with "moderate" pressure. The panel supposidly will rotate downward after the clips release.

I pulled and pryed but no luck. I actually broke part of it and had to whip out the epoxy for a small fix (nothing major and no cosmetic damage).

I installed the guages w/o removing the panel. (What a pain !)

Still a mystery to me.

 

It does come off and their is a little bit of room in there. I put my XM radio receiver in there, perfect fit.... and it is probably the size of a very small amp.

 

Not sure exactly what to tell you about getting the dash panel off, but if you look at Step 5 of this document it shows an interesting location behind the dash for an amp....

 

I've looked at that location in the docs (still no MINI for me) and it appears to be the location for the factory amp that probably comes with the HK Audio system. I thought about trying to put one here, but with the lack of airflow and no ability to get in a make any adjustments to the unit, I've decided to pursue other locations. I got some good replies about this on this thread :smile:

 

Hadn't thought about air flow.... Good point. Making adjustments.... nuther good point.

I just keep thinking that it would be so nice and out of the way, leaving me room for the NAV-TV unit (that the wife will never allow me to buy anyway) and not take up any other cargo room.

Do you really think the "Sound Module" is the HK system? Maybe so. I thought the document was for something different. It says "retro-fit kit" - isn't the HK a factory install? Will it be both?

 

>>(still no MINI for me)

Awwwww, man. Bummer. Your day is coming soon though, right? Only just a wee bit more patience. (I know, easy for me to say.... But, I was once where you are at. )

 

>>There seems like there might be enough room for a small amp in the area below the steering wheel. Has anyone removed the panel? Or know how I might go about it? I couldn't find any bolts ( but it was a bit dark )........

There has been a persistent thread on MINI2 about swapping the knee protector (in US model) for a second parcel shelf (common in Europe). Check out

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=14855

The MINI2 user "macncheese" posted a photo showing his installation of the shelf at

http://www.alchemyeng.com/driversideshelf.jpg

Macncheese posted this parts list on MINI2:

51161186417 @ 23.54 EURO (Shelf)
51167057375 @ 23.42 EURO (Shelf Mat)
51457072009 @ 1.62 EURO (Blanking plate)

MINIUSA sent a note saying the parts are not "safe and legal" in USA, so people have been doing "illegal" imports from Germany.

A few weeks back, John (MCO and MINI2 user "jlm&quot told me he had ordered the shelf parts for about $80 from Germany. He had already taken out the stock knee protector in anticipation of getting the parts. John -- if you are grazing and spot this posting, you might report on how well it worked out.

And if anyone has nurtured a US source for the shelf parts, please let us know!


Tom

 

The US source for the parcel shelf is your very own MINI dealer. Although you do save a bit of money if you get the parts from the guy in Germany. The installation took about 5 minutes. It looks and works great. I'll snap some pics later when it stops raining.

51-16-1-186-417 STORING PART - QTY: 1 $53.28
51-16-7-057-375 FLOOR MAT - QTY: 1 $44.84
51-45-7-072-009 BLIND PLATE - QTY: 1 $4.65
07-13-1-472-727 NUT - QTY: 2 $1.30
51-41-0-141-057 BOLT (BLACK) - QTY: 2 $1.38


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HARMINI ...still anticipating those pics...

 

The instruction and photos are listed on the "How To" portion of my site: http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/ under the link "Euro Driver Side Parcel Shelf".

The instructions and pics are actually from Jason Livingood but I have done it and it's really pretty easy. It's a great upgrade. The whole thing cost me something like $70 from my local BMW shop with my BMWCCA discount.

This photo is also from Jason's site:

 

The instruction and photos are listed on the "How To" portion of my site: http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/ under the link "Euro Driver Side Parcel Shelf".

The instructions and pics are actually from Jason Livingood but I have done it and it's really pretty easy. It's a great upgrade. The whole thing cost me something like $70 from my local BMW shop with my BMWCCA discount.

This photo is also from Jason's site: