Hey Guys! I just got a "new" 2005 Mini Convertible today and am so excited I can't sleep (hence the hour!). It came with the nav system and the Harmony sound system. The nav is so primitive to input I'm afraid I just won't use it (plus it told me to take surface streets from the Redondo Beach all the way into Los Angeles!)--and I'm not very good with my hands so I'm wondering--can some one just take the old nav out and put in a shiny new one or is the system too closed and the opening for the screen too specific. And 2, while the stereo still sounds nice, I'd like to have my ipod hooked up. Now I've read a lot of the threads in this forum already about installing a wire from the back through that kit but could I just buy a new stereo head, one with whatever-- Sirius radio and Hd radio and and an mp3 jack etc.--and are there reliable places in the LA area that could do this? I'm not good with my hands and I'm really afraid if I tried to do even the simple kit solutions myself it would be disaster. Thanks so much if any of you have any advice))

 

As for the nav system, I can't speak a lot about it, but you might check to see if they have a software update for it. I believe (and again, I don't have one, just read a bunch) there is a cd-like disk you can replace to get better/newer routes. I don't believe you can just replace it with a shiny new one from mini... the 2nd gen ones are different I suspect.

As for the head unit, you can replace it, but it requires replacement of a lot more parts to keep all your functionality. Probably a better choice is to do the aux port. Aux port is extremely easy... unscrew about 4 screws, plug in cord, drill a hole, screw in 2 screws, rescrew in 4 you unscrewed. However, you seem cautious about it, so I can tell you it should be a cheap job... it's a $30 part and should take an hour of labor.

Other option would be a dice silverline, which gives you control from your steering wheel. the dice kit also has the option for sirius and/or HD radio. Also a relatively simple install I believe

 

i have a 2006 with nav, you cannot use the ipod hook up to the back of your HK stereo. This is because the spot in the back of the headunit where the ipod would go in is taken by the nav voice input. I went ahead and installed the aux jack which was cheap and easy. I followed this last post for the installation and it worked perfect. Check it out.