I've had a discussion or two with a rep from Metra. They currently have a dash kit to install a single-DIN receiver in a 2007+ Mini Cooper (seen here). They'll be releasing another kit that's supposed to fit a double-DIN receiver in about 60 days, said the rep.

With that, I'm considering abandoning the stock non-HiFi stereo altogether and just installing a full aftermarket system with one of these kits. My big question is about the possibility of using my steering wheel controls with an aftermarket stereo. Has anyone does this, or is it something that I'm going to have to forget about altogether?

 

Took a look at the Metra page you linked to and i find a lot of problems with their description.

1. it says it fits 2007+ MINI, BMW 1 series and BMW 3 Series. There is no way that the MINI parts are going to work for a BMW 1/3 series.

2. The instructions only talk about installing it in a BMW 1 series

3. From the picture on the site you will have to move the OEM head unit to the secret compartment as it MUST stay in the car. And they have not mention of the cabling that will be required to do that.

My Suggestion before ordering is to make sure that you have the proper instructions sent to you sot hat you can check them over and paste them here so that others can look at them and come up with the inevitable problems it will create in using the kit.

 

Yeah, I noticed all of those issues as well. That's why I'm waiting for this other kit to come out before I make any decisions.

Given that they provide accurate instructions and all necessary cabling to move the stock unit to the secret compartment, do you guys think it'll be possible to use my steering wheel controls with a new HU?

 

Have you tried http://www.pac-audio.com/?

 

Alrighty, looks like that might be what I was trying to find. Thanks.

 

Unfortunately they do not have anything for the Control System on the MINI/BMW.

I believe that the MINI /BMW use the MOST Bus control for the steering wheel controls not the CAN Bus.

 

I just spoke with one of Metra's sales reps via e-mail and this is what I got in response to relocating the factory unit. I was going to use the secret compartment but I think I may just wait for this instead.

"You are correct as well.
The radio will take the place of the factory cd player.
There is also an interface that will go along with the kit (BMRC-01) which will act as the factory radio and tell the car’s computer the radio is still there so everything will function properly.
I’m not sure if the interface will be packaged with the kit or not."

 

Well the problem I see here is that they are talking about just putting a aftermarket radio in place of the OEM CD player. Problem is that it is not just a CD player it is also the Head Unit (AM/FM Section), selector section and a the CCC (Central Communications Computer) section that controls the speedometer displays and other parts of the car.

 

Well hopefully they will come out with something that will work and is a little more cost effective than the Kanatech version. What I put up above is just what the sales rep told me. I wanted to get that one but my 07 R56S does not have the 4 buttons underneath the non-automatic heater/AC controls. So i was afraid it wouldn't fit.

He also said it is in the final stages of development so should start shipping in the next month to month 1/2. I am not holding my breath on that one. Had no ideas on pricing either.

 

It would fit but would just have 4 holes underneath your controls. Probably would not look to good unless they have some sort of sort of cover plugs.

 

Who knows? Maybe they're actually taking the car's computer into account with this product. Maybe Metra has a deal with Mini in which they're able to fully replace the computer or somehow utilize existing parts. I have to doubt that Metra would just go and build a kit & interface with no understanding that the 2007+ Mini Coopers are absolutely reliant on the stock radio's integration with the rest of the system.