I've been browsing through the forums and -think- I have a fairly good idea of what may be necessary, but could someone please let me know if this will work?

First:
I just took delivery of my new '06 MCS, w/ OEM Navi, MFSW, and factory/Boost CD unit. I have a Pioneer/Premier DEH-P940MP HU from my last car. I'd like to retain the MFSW functionality (although not critical, since the unit comes with a remote itself - I just hate having dead hardware), but I absolutely must keep the full Navi functionality. It'd be great if I could hook up my iPod too, but that seems like a whole separate headache...

What I think I need:

Facia plate (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=77)

Antennae adapter (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=78)

Navi interface kit (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=51)

New HU -> ISO adapter (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=126)

BMW -> ISO adapter (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=30)

MFSW->IR relay (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=46)


Questions:

1) http://www.newministuff.com/ seems to be a great resource - but it's in Britain and the Euro conversion really makes the prices ridiculous. Is there a US source for the required parts?


2) With the above setup, will the Navi audio come through at a decent volume? I'd rather not have to put an inline amp on the feed. I saw a thread saying that some aftermarket navis don't amplify the output, but I didn't see anything about the OEM. Does it still sound decent, only coming from the FR speaker and w/o the integrated mute?

3) Although my HU is pretty nice, it's a few years old. With all of the above hacking necessary to get something working, would it just be better to get an OEM HK setup and drop it in? I'm afraid of ending up with a sort of Frankenstein monster here. =)

Anyways, sorry if this is a bit long, but thank you to anyone with pointers.

 

1. The UK uses Pounds not the Euro but it is still expensive. If shipped to the US, you will not pay VAT.

2. If you swap the HU, you will lose the NAV voice. Mikey and nobody that I know have a solution for this. If you want NAV voice, you are stuck with the OEM HU.

3. HK is not a solution that you can just drop in.

 

Instead of the HK, consider the DPSM. It sounds better anyway, and it will be easier to install than the HK, since it uses the same wiring harness (the HK harness is completely different).

Not to mention that the DPSM blows the HK away. I know, I have the HK, I've heard the DPSM... and now I'm trying to figure out how I can switch it over (hint: NOT easy nor cheap). The HK is good... really good... but it isnt the DPSM!

 

I agree with the above. DPSM is a good solution over HK. Mind you I have HK and love it, but it is lacking in some areas.

Oh, and for Ipod either an Icelink Plus (newmnistuff) or the DICE. Both solutions work well and have more features than the OEM model.

 

Thanks for the advise, so far. For me, though, I rather despise the stock Boost HU... the silly thing doesn't even have an EQ, much less DSP, position-sensitive audio direction, etc. I'm under the impression that the DPSM is just an amp+speaker replacement? Although I plan on replacing the speakers, as well, I'm mostly concerned now with finding a functional HU solution.

daflake, are you sure the navi interface kit above won't work? From Mikey's site: "Allows factory nav voice to work with aftermarket stereos."

 

I'll check with Mike, but I pretty sure there is no soltuion for this yet. I do know that someone wired another speaker up to get voice, but nothing played via the radio.

 

Spoke to Mike and here is his reply.

"We do - & have used quite a few here - it works by directing the nav voice through the front right speaker. It is NOT plug & play on HK equiped Minis. Not very loud but works"

Now, he also stated that folks that have bought in the USA have not been successful getting it to work. He is currently working on a new solution.

 

This can be performed with an external speaker if needed. We do this type of thing with Bluetooth all the time.

 

Yeah, I have seen that done. However, this guy wanted an internal solution. Mikey has one but it is not the best. He is currently working on another solution.