Today while at the dealer I was given the first copy out of the just received box a copy of "The MINI International Vol 32" (magazine)

In the Magazine was and add titled "The New MINI Hi-Fi System Alpine". It said to look at the add info page in the back of the magazine or Go to www.mini.com/accessories.

So from the back of the magazine:

Sounds great: the MINI Hi-Fi system by Alpine.
All the parts of the new Alpine hi-fi system were specially designed for teh MINI. The 3-way system consists of a class-D amplifier with a 2 x 100W output. Specially designed bass, mid-range and treble speakers have an aluminum speakers have an aluminum membrane for clear, transparent and detailed sound. What's more, the MINI Hi-Fi system is compatible with all iPod models.


Here is a link to the mini accessories page. But you will have to select the Music & Electronics Section in 3rd drop down list box on the left side and then select page 2 of the listing to get to the Alpine Hi-Fi System.

http://www.mini.com/com/en/car_accessories/index.jsp?content=http://accessories.mini.com/internet_relaunch/COM/en/indexNoFrameset.jsp

From the reading it sounds as if it might be a plug and play system for speakers, and amp.

I have not been able to get a part number for the upgrade but will be inquiring more tomorrow.

 

Very interesting. It's on RealOEM, but listed only for Europe:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...42&hg=65&fg=95

 

So, no rear speakers, unless that it 6x9 woofers in the back, midrange in the doors, and tweeters in the A-pillars. Knowing MINI, it would be woofers in the door, midrange in the back and tweeters in the A-pillars.

Or, was it supposed to be 4 x 100W?

Probably be too bright for my ears with alumium tweeters. I hope that wasn't really supposed to be aluminum membrane for the speakers.

 

this could be a god sent. maybe someone listened to those of us asking for them to right the crap they sold us as "hi-fi"

 

If it is plug and play I am a done deal. After reading all 6324 post on audio upgrades I would be thrilled to buy a quick, easy fix direct from Mini. Let us pray.

 

Per the realoem website:-

For vehicles with
TV function = No
and
Preparation BMW satellite radio = No
and
Satellite tuner = No
and
MINI HiFi speaker system = No

I take it that means we can't use it to upgrade a HIFI system?

 

DP

 

Never understand the "too bright" argument about metal (aluminum, titanium or diamond tweeters). What are cymbals, piano strings, bells, xylophones, and steel guitar strings made of, plastic? Also have you ever heard any of these instruments live, up close and unamped? Because guess what they ARE bright.

 

Cymbals, piano strings, bells, xylophones, and steel guitar strings are not tweeters. They are cymbals, piano strings, bells, xylophones, and steel guitar strings.

Yes. They are normal bright, not too bright. When you turn a woman's voice into a cymbaal, that's too bright.

I had Infinity Kappa speakers. They sounded too bright for my taste. Recommendations were to go with speakers that had silk tweeters. So, I went with Image Dynamic speakers and an Image Dynamic amp. Sounds much better to me. However, I can't say that it was the tweeters that made the difference. It was just that numerous people recommended staying away from metal tweeters if one doesn't like bright audio.

It may have been that the HIFI amp was the real culprit, although numerous reviews (including positive reviews) characterize the Infinity Kappas as bright.

 

Be very careful buying any kind of MINI upgrade for the sound system. I bought one of their upgrades the DPSM for the 1st gen MINI. My MINI spent over 4 months in the shop in less than 3 years of ownership. Because that $2200-2300 upgrade shorted out almost constantly even when turned off. IMO you are far better off going to a competent stereo shop.

 

Morristown Mini has no information on the system. Any suggestions?

 

the MINI Hi-Fi system by Alpine is offered in Europe as an upgrade for the Base Stereo on the Gen 2 Minis. What is interesting is that the install instructions indicate 1.5 hours labor (routing wire harness, replacing door speakers, adding A-pillar speakers and mounting the amplifier). That seems pretty quick.

http://www.mini2.info/forum/showthread.php?t=42458

see post #8

 

Very nice. Plug and play, factory warranty. Now....how the heck do I get the parts? Are we betting they will show up in dealers next year or is this going to become a duck hunt?

 

be great if i could read/understand german.

 

Use Google Language Tools: http://translate.google.com/translat...hl=en&ie=UTF-8

 

You can order it from Europe. My gut feeling is that MINIUSA won't import it (not enough sales), and they won't handle the warranty unless they do.

The reaction on the German thread is mixed, and the consensus seems to be that the new HK system is superior. Some of the comments (Google translation):

 

Good info, thanks. If you follow ECS tunings ordering system it allows you to place an order for the part we need. I will call them Monday to see if they can actually get them. The next issue is deciding what I really want. I am sure that the alpine system isn't as good as a quality aftermarket, but I don't really know that I want someone taking apart my new interior. My mini has ZERO rattles and I am not anxious to create some.

 

i agree ..a better way to argue the point would be to say that "some" metal tweeters sound to bright in "some" systems. Just like "some" fabric" tweeters sound too soft in "some" systems.

Metal is GREAT when done installed and amplified properly....

 

Hmmm... it's also listed on Pelican Parts and bmw-auto-parts-dealer. It might have been added to the US catalog and RealOEM is out of date.

I Googled the part number (65412153318) and it is on Netherlands eBay (current bid at 206 Euros, list price 399 Euros): http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...#ht_812wt_1166

 

I suspect we need to buy the pillar replacements as well. I think I am going to try this. If I later add an urbanmini sub box and amp that should give me the sound I am looking for without stepping too far out of the factory box.

 

Why the Alpine system? Why not try to upgrade to the H/K system?

 

This appears to be designed as a field upgrade, whereas the H/K system doesn't.

 

From the standard, or HIFI? Since the HIFI and H/K are both 10 speakers systems, seems like it wouldn't be too difficult to go from HIFI to H/K. Wiring harnesses might be the same.

If the Alpine is designed to be an upgrade from standard audio, I could see how that would be an easier route.

 

You are right. I should have been more clear - The Alpine is designed to be an upgrade from the base euro audio.

 

The base euro system and the base US system should be the same, no?