OK, so I found the only Clubman S with nothing added on to it but metallic paint and MFSW and paid just a bit over 25K at MSRP. Downtown MINI even removed the MINI Dealer/add-on Garmin for me to keep the price down. Popular wisdom here is always spend thousands of dollars extra first when ordering (I bought this one and the last 2 MINIs off the floor), and if adding on anything later, NEVER go to one of the budget retail shops. But HECK, I've got a Best Buy credit card from when we moved into our new townhome a little over a year ago and we needed things then to move in, like a nice TV, DVD, sound system etc.

The base MINI sound system left a lot to be desired, I am on the road a lot, just got two speeding tickets and I sure missed the Sirius radio from my trade-in car. So first thing was the Escort radar detector. Next up came a Sirius Starmate plugged directly into the stereo plug, they hard-wired the detector then too. The Starmate went right down into the cubby where the accessory plug is and looks pretty, WELL, nice and neat. Except for the blue lights instead of orange, like the dash, it looks very integrated. I changed the waterfall lights to blue just to have a little more "blue" around, too. We are still working on getting a good spot and adhesive that holds for the detector remote switch and lights. I may pull the trigger and just let them put a screw into the plastic shroud under the gear shift area. We'll get it after another trip or two up there.

Now today I really pulled the trigger and bought a Infinity Kappa component set and matching 6"x9"'s for the rear. With the BB protection plans for an additional 3 years, I spent (or charged) about $480. They did a nice install and everything went back together very nice and that cost me $110. The installer actually started about 11:45 AM and didn't finish until 4 and also didn't add any extra time to the flat rate.

The new Speakers sound MUCH, MUCH better than stock and I think I'll ride around for a few weeks before I decide whether to add a matching 4 channel amp. Mainly so I can fine tune it a little better and add back in the Infinity cross-overs. Right now we decided to use the crossovers that came from the stock headunit, because there just wasn't any room in the doors for them. I read something here about the stock unit's crossovers not being "true" crossovers but I can't remember what it was.

So for just under $600, I seem to have very nice sound, no problems with removing the panels, C-Pillar covers and back seat and it's all back together, with no visible 'scars' from the transplant. It is only Day One, but I do like the lifetime guarantee on the install, plus they offer to put back the old stuff if I sell or trade and I want to keep my speakers and anything else I add. I hope I stay happy with my choices.

Somehow when I hear anyone say NEVER do something I just have to see if they could be wrong. People are people and I have seen plenty of folks butcher their work, whether they were making $15.00 an hour or $500.00, I seem to have found one who was very attentive to doing a good job.

If you are in this area and are the CHEAP GUY like I am, then PM me and I'll tell you where I went and who did my work. I wouldn't want the guy to get in trouble with his boss if they found out he spent over 4 hours on my car and only charged the standard flat rate of $65 and $40, by having some inconsiderate NAM fanatic print out this post and start making trouble somehow at the Best Buy.

 

what size speakers up front?

 

Actual measurement on back of box says 6 1/4", label on front says 6 1/2" to 6 3/4", I don't understand why the difference. Infinity Kappa 60.9cs component set.

 

I HATE Worst Buy. I've never had a good experience with those scum bags and would never go back again. I'd give examples but I think plenty can be found on the internet. I look forward to the day they go out of business. Luckily I live in an area with plenty of other options.

 

Amen!

 

Nice CDMINI !!

Remember that Best Buy has a 110% price match policy for 30 days so if you find the identical items for sale in the local area they will match that price plus give you an additional 10% of the difference.

 

The Infinity Kappa 60.7cs is what I used. Did they install the tweeters in place of the 4" speakers? Since I have the HIFI, I put the tweeters in the A pillars and used Infinity Kappa 42.7i 2-way speakers in the 4" location, but didn't connect the tweeters. Others have mounted just a tweeter in that location.

For the rear, I used Infinity Kappa 693.7i 6"x9" 3-way car speakers because they have two inputs to match the separate woofer & tweeter wires in the rear on the HIFI system. The 2-way version would probably be good for the standard audio system.

 

I probably won't do the price check as they gave me also two gift cards, 1 for $25 and 1 for $10 that I then used on the purchase and the install, so my final OTD installed was $590. They are ready too for more power and I may just HAVE to have a sub, but that looks like 2 amps, 1 4 channel for the 2 speaker sets and 1 for the Sub, right? I guess it never ends...

 

YEP, they fabricated a little bracket and put the tweeters where the 4"'s were up front, my rears are the two-ways, and they are the ones that seem to need a bit more 'juice', but then I'm not sitting back there, my 4 y/o is. So maybe I should leave well enough alone. As I said I'll ride around for a few weeks and then decide.

 

You can adjust the front to rear balance with the HIFI system and a NAV. I assume you can with the standard without a NAV, but I don't know for sure. You might want to kick it up a bit when you are driving alone. Most of your mid-range will be coming from the back. The 6" front location is the closest thing the audio system has to a sub. The 4" front is mid-range to high, but you've cut the mid by putting a tweeter there. The rears only get mid to high (little bass).

 

Robin, does your system (built from the HiFi) get bass to the rear? I want better sound, which will come from better speakers, but also want more bass without going to a sub unless I have to.

 

Pics or it didn't happen. Sorry couldn't resist.

I would really like to see some pics of the Sirius install.

 

Me Too!
I'm going to add CircusCity to this list... And yes the list is way too long to mention here

 

I have an 07 MCS with the audio package to include HiFi sound system, HD radio, and satellite radio. Sounds great and I bet it cost less than all the mods done to your cars. It's all factory and does not hurt the resale value of the car. Why mess with a good thing???

 

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Here are a couple of quick phone PICS, 600 + 250 dollars and 6.99/month, how much did that factory stereo rig cost and how long before you owe a subscription fee too? I'll guess the factory speakers on the HIFI are still the paper MINI branded ones just more of them!

P.S. Also bought car off showroom, NO ORDER, wait time for delivery, about an hour and a half!

 

Thanks for the info, those are the exact speakers I am considering for my Mini. I haven't had it for long, but am horrified at the crappy sound! Have you decided on whether to install an amp yet? I have had past good experiences with both Best Buy and Circuit City, and don't have thousands to spend for more "professional" installs, so I'm happy to BB can work well with a Mini.

As for the component speakers, do they sound good placed where they are? What I mean is, everything I've read says the tweeter needs to be high up (closer to ear level). That's one thing I don't like about these factory speakers...all of the sound is "down low."

Finally, about your Sirius...did you hook that directly into the existing antenna that (as I understand it) comes with the Mini? I like your install on that, too. Looks almost standard, but didn't cost $1000! Thanks again!

 

Stay away from Best Buy... don't believe me? just google "best buy customer service" ... you'll find pages and pages and pages of people who are very put out with them.

 

i used to be a sales and install manager at a circuit city and as far as im concerend regarding circuit city, bestbuy, tweeter etc some stores have great installers others have crap installers its really hit or miss. Ive seen great stuff come out of everyone of these stores and ive seen total messes and junk installs from all of em.

as far as im concerned where ever you go you really need to talk to the installer and feel them out and see if they are comfortable with your car