My MINI should be here in about a month. My dealer will install an Alpine 6 disc CD changer for $800. But Crutchfield has an Alpine CD changer that will play MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW discs. And it is only $299. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is compatible with the stock head unit or with the MFSW? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

IMO go for the Crutchfield unit. The dealer is taking a nice purse home at 800.00.
Most aftermarket CD changers are radio signal units. Where as you give it a main power supply and tune your radio to a set station to listen to you changer. These work suprisingly well. Sound quality is not far off with these units.
You can get a hard wired unit but will need a head unit that is set up for that. Not sure if the MINI unit is or not.

Also the radio signal units are easy to install..... course you could always get it installed at a local shop for around 75.00.
Hope this helps.
SW

 

Thanks for the reply, this changer would have to be hard wired. I guess I need to find out the model number of the changer the dealer has and see if the MP3 changer is compatible. Thanks again.

 

unfortunately, you will not be able to plug any aftermarket Alpine changer into the stock head unit. They do this so that you have to buy the EMO Changer. I've tried many time to get a convertor for it and I have yet to find a place that sell it. This is the same way for my Land Rover changer (I bought mine when Land Rover was still under BMW). I'm hoping the changer for my Rover will work with the Mini.

I did see Demo with the CD Changer preinstalled at a dealership. It's just a standard BMW 6 Disc CD Changer (it actually had the BMW logo on it). You might be able to get one off someone that is selling their BMW or something.

PS - to answer your question about MP3, you have to have a head unit that is able to decode the MP3 to be able to use it.