Hey everyone,

I ordered the stock system, non-hifi, assuming I'd change everything except the hu out. Have read and reread the multiple threads including the one I started and everyone so kindly responded to. Focal 2 ways on the way for teh front. Seems I may have made a mistake by not getting the hifi for the better amp.

I guess my real concern is: Is the stock amp 2 or 4 ohms? I did find the hifi is 4 ohm, but no luck finding the specs on the standard amp. Am I in trouble? Or better said, do I have to get an amp to drive these immediately? I'm ok with non-Who levels, but will really want to be able to hear the clarity of the focals.

I would hope to be able to delay the amp purchase as I've got suspension already in the garage and wheels/tires TBD. I know the focals will sound much better with the new amp, just hoping to enjoy what I've got so far without spending more $.

Enough rambling... Thoughts?

 

Standard radio has no amp. You very much should get one as the radio pushing the focals won't make you happy. Get one with at least 50w RMS per channel and you'll be quite glad you did. The focals can easily handle over 100w RMS even if they are rated at 80.

p.s. HiFi speakers are 2 ohm. Standard speakers are 4 ohm.

 

The hifi setup DOES have an amp, albeit a not so powerful one. Its in the drivers side trunk compartment. You need at least a line level converter, at most something like an Alpine Imprint (not quite out yet) to convert and sum the signals and then break them apart again in the crossover (or the alpine unit itself). I'd honestly wait till the alpine unit comes out. It might mean you can get aftermarket high quality audio out of the stock head unit. Otherwise your signal will be a little dirty and it wont do the speakers justice. I should have the alpine in my mini if its decent, I'll put some pics up sooner or later For now, do suspension and stuff, its much more straightforward. Having high end speakers on a factory head unit with no processing doesn't make sense to me. I had around 900 watts to my 4 Zapco 6.5 mids and 300 watts to the tweeters in my last car. I like loud SQ. Better to have a bit more power than you need because you wont be pushing everything so hard. Depends on which Focals you have.

My $.02,
Josh

 

MM, josh, thanks. Thought that was what I had gotten myself into.

 

I just want to add a subwoofer to mine, and maybe just replace the stock speakers with easy "plug in" replacements (not cutting...).

I'm thinking of installing one of these to convert the speaker outputs to RCA pre-amp, for my subwoofer which will simply be an "all-in-one" powered woofer (like the Kenwood or Clarion) under the passenger seat.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7tuRoOY...o&i=236REQ#Tab

With the hifi amp, a nice clean pre-amp signal to a 8" 150 watt subwoofer under the seat, and I bet it will sound GREAT.

 

MM, do you think with the added wiring diagrams everyone has so cooly provided that the amp install will be less involved than your 2 day event?

 

shorter for sure; some hours were spent tracing out all the wires in the HiFi amp.

 

Has anyone removed the standard stereo deck in the r56 yet??
If yes how ? I have spent 3 hours and have removed 50 screws and still i can't get it out!! Do i have to remove the speedo?

Please help

 

it is part of the speedo so yes it does come out.
Did you really start this job without having read any type of instructions? You may have bitten off more than you expected.
I have seen pictures posted on MINI2 of the job

 

I wish you well, please help others when you are complete, pics also help. Once again, I now you will succede.

 

Were you going to put the adapters for RCA jacks back there? If you are getting them from mikeythemini perhaps he'll give you some instructions.

 

I wanted to see how hard it would be to change the deck. Also I wanted to suss out the ipod plug situation so i could get full control from the steering wheel.
I walked away had a sleep and worked it out. I took pics of how to remove the whole dash. Ill post the pictures later when I find the cable.
Anyways back to the job why has no one changed the deck?
When I removed it I was still able to start the car speedo lights worked just the cd display didn’t obviously.
There are 2 plugs there 1= speedo and 2= stereo.
There is enough space to fit any deck. The OEM cd player is the same size as any deck.
I measured the gaps and all looks good just need to either make a whole panel out of glass or CUT what’s there.
I will call my mini dealer tomorrow and find out the cost of a replacement and maybe donate it to a fibreglass shop to copy.
If I was to cut the OEM I guess the bottom will be just under that stupid volume ***.

Must investigate!

Back to the Ipod thing I can’t work out what’s doing back there!
Can I do this on the cheap? I would rather change decks the pay $800 AUD the retrofit ipod plug.

Any suggestions?
I am going to leave the car in peaces till I sort this out.

All in all it’s not as hard as everyone has said this would be.
If you were to go about the job just be care full when you pop the air vent in the centre above the speedo. The clips are simular to the bonnet scoop. Pop them straight up gently.

In stages
• first unclip the sides of the centre console and remove 4 screws (2 each side)
• then the hand brake console (just remove the drink cup screws and pop it backwards
• then remove those plastic bits behind the steering wheel and above the glove box (1 each side with 2 screws)
• unscrew the air vents in the centre (2 screws each side)
• pop out the air vent above the speedo ( use flat head screw driver and come from the side closest to you. Be gentle it will just pop up)
• then you unclip the hazard switch and remove another 3 screws.
• pull the speedo plastic surround out.
• then you can remove the bottom console with easy (3 clip)
• finally 2 screws and out comes the whole unit. ( 3 clips 1=speedo 2= stereo 3= antenna)

Bobs your uncle jobs done.

If you have any suggestions please post