Did anyone get your R56 with the HD radio installed? Can it be installed later?

If anyone has pics of the tuner unit I would be grateful!

 

The HD tuner is N48 in this diagram. I don't know if a retrofit is available. It uses the same headunit as without HD.

 

Cool, is there a part number for it?

 

The part number can be found here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...69&hg=65&fg=05

However, it probably involves more work than just the tuner. The antenna and wiring might be different. The tuner connects to the MOST bus, and the harness for it may not be there from the factory. You may need programming from the dealer.

 

Thanks, that is a really cool site! to bad all the prices are not listed.

 

Take the part number and put it in the search field at Pelican Parts. www.pelicanparts.com

 

I have no idea on the rest of your questions, but I got the Audio Package when it was available in '07 and that came with HD Radio. It's good sound quality, but I don't think it's worth the $500 stand alone price or whatever it might cost to retrofit it (but that might be colored by the fact that I listen to satellite radio a lot).

 

HD Radio is one of those options that may be "nice to have", except that MINI charges $500. For well under $500, you can purchase an entire home mini stereo system that includes HD Radio and FM tuner, CD player, amp and speakers. You can even get a clock radio with FM and HD Radio for under $100. So just the HD Radio feature alone should have cost very little.

 

Like Misslindsey said, my 07 also has the audio package which includes the HD function. If you live in an area where your favorite stations are in HD, then it is nice.

The sound clarity of a few of my local HD stations is just phenomenal. A huge improvement in sound quality compared to the other sources; aux input mp3s at 320, CDs, regular FM/AM, and Sirius.

rkw, that is common with every option. Even `$20k for the base model Mini is overpriced. No reason not think the options aren't too IMO.

 

I spoke with the dealer about this for my 2008 R56. They indicated that parts and labor on it would be about $1600 for the retrofit. The part at pelicanparts is $900 or so for the tuner alone. I would think you might be able to get lucky and find a salvage yard mini that has the option and pull parts at a much lower rate.

Once you have physically installed the tuner, you then need to have the computer programmed to know about it. You might be able to do the hardware install yourself and then have the dealer use "SSS" to program it in.

 

I had thought about the HD option when configuring my mini, but ultimately decided against it. $500 seemed like a lot of money, my hometown only has 8 HD stations, and I only like 2 of those stations. In the end, I wasn't up for spending so much money for essentially 2 radio stations.

Perhaps by the time I purchase a replacement to this Clubman (many years down the road, I hope ), the cost/station ratio will make HD more of a bargain.

 

I was hopefull that DICE made an aftermarket kit for HD. They did for the R50/53 MINI. Does anyone know about this?

 

I went ahead to order the parts and did the install myself. The parts can be ordered for about $800 or so from Morristown MINI in NJ. Install is really easy and everything bolts up as it should. One thing to watch out for is to make sure you have the correct rear carpeted panel. The one to accomodate the HD tuner is the flat panel. If yours has a cubby space, then you need to swap it out. I just need to find a dealer that will program it so I can hook it up. All wiring is present. Damagi, was that Northwest MINI that quoted you $1600 for the retrofit? Were they confident that they could do the software programming?