I have a 2007 MCS. It has the standard audio system in it. I want to add HD Radio.

Ive been to crutchfield.com and I can purchase a HD Tuner to get the HD signal and add to my stock radio. I typed in my vehice make etc and this is the list it came up with...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...0&tp=134&avf=Y

My question is can I get this tuner... http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...0&tp=134&avf=Y and add it to my stock radio so I can get the HD signal? Is it that easy?

Or does MINI sell a tuner that anyone know of? I know the cost when you order a car is 500 Bucks so.

 

Looks like it connects with either RCA inputs, or through a direct connection to the FM radio's antenna (effectively negating the better-than-FM signal bonus).

I can't say for certain if there's an RCA input available, but I'd pay the $300.00 difference to not have to open my MINI's dash :D It looks to be painful.

I can say that I really love the HD radio- there's a large difference in the quality of sound. Noticably better than an MP3 CD at 128kbps. Also a separate input for it would be particularly inconvenient. The integration with the stock radio bits is very nice.

 

I am very curious about retro-fitting the OEM HD system too. Another one of those, "maybe I should've included the $500 option on the build sheet." Oh well, it would be nice to know there was a way to retro-fit the OEM system, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Yes, but you still have to deal with commercials and that makes HD a real looser IMHO.

I'd much rather add a high capacity iPod and then encode the music I want to hear in a higher bitrate (or use a completely lossless music format and that will 100% rival that of the HD radio). The "concept" of HD radio is great, but unless you can get it in a commercial free format (like satellite radio), then it'll never be all that popular me thinks.

I can't stand listening to the radio because every time I do, it seem like all the stations I want to listen to are playing commercials at the exact same time (the stations actually target main commuting times just for this purpose). It's VERY annoying!

 

I whole-heartedly agree with you. That's why my radio listening is almost exclusively NPR, and in many markets, NPR affiliates utilize HD (Minnesota and Oregon). Using an iPod is usually the way to go, but it's nice to have alternatives.

I'm not heartbroken over my decision not to order the HD, but it would be nice to know that it's available if I wanted to add it later.

 

Yeah- commercials are a pain, some of the stations have fewer commercials on their second HD channel though.

I've read that the iPod connection has limits on the number of tracks and playlists too, though. If I picked up an iPod, I'd prefer to just load it with everything and not have to pick and choose music to bring with. Are there work-arounds that still retain the integration, or is the Aux-In the only other way?

 

We have the OEM iPod adapter in our R56 and it works a treat (although it's a bit on the expensive side really). The only folks who seem to be running into problems with the adapter are those who load thousands upon thousands of songs within hundreds upon hundreds of playlists onto their iPods. I just don't use my iPod that way and so I NEVER run up against any of the limitations. I simply spread my music out over a few playlists each containing no more than a couple of hundred of songs. No problem whatsoever and the integration with the MINI's OEM nav system is second to none. It's amazing!

 

Good to know, thanks! (Sorry for jacking your thread kevinminict!)

 

Hey guys, I too wonder. I'm buying a used 07 MCS. Has anyone asked a dealership about retrofitting HD radio?

 

Bump for above question.

 

I asked my MA and the answer was, "no."

 

Hey Wolf - I just download Click N Clack and News from Lake Wobegon onto my iPod, that way I don't have to listen to pledge week! ; )

 

I do the same thing!