Read various threads on this but can not seem to find the answers to how to hard wire the garmin and have it integrated to the Hi-Fi stereo.

The garmin is mounted using a Kuda mount and I would like to hard wire it using the auto power plug but I don't know which wires to use. I would also like to connect it to the stereo so the directions would interrupt the music (cd, radio or ipod).

Anyone have the "how to" on both these wiring issues?

 

This is what I did regarding the hardwire. Audio is another story. I haven't seen anyone doing what you want in the R56 yet. Newministuff has such autoswitching interfaces for the earlier models. Getting to the back of the R56 radio harness also seems like a pain.

 

Newministuff just released a interface to connect to the stereo that will play the audio through the speakers.

 

Most BMW/MINI radios have a "mute" connector on the back that is used for phone and/or GPS audio input. If R56s have this, you might be able to accomplish what you want. The trouble is that NUVIs mute their own MP3 audio for GPS route directions and Bluetooth calls. The least complicated thing is to have the audio output connected to the aux connector on the stereo and play music from the NUVI. If you don't want to do that, you'd need some sort of module that recognizes NUVI audio, triggers the radio mute and then plays the audio through your speakers. I'd ask the NewMINIstuff guy specifically about this, as I have not seen such a gadget.

 

I just ordered this interface from newministuff. It's pricey especially when VAT and shipping is added but at least there is a 10% NAM discount. I'll let y'all know how it goes.