I just put a deposit down on an 04 with the dead amp problem. I got the price down accordingly but just figured it would be an easy fix. From what I read... it doesn't sound like it will be.

My original thought was to just replace it with an aftermarket one, but that seems like it is going to be challenging. I am a little reluctant to replace it with a used working HK amp if the problem is due to moisture and will likely happen again.

I am already planning on replacing the head unit with the Kenwood KDC-x794. Is there an aftermarket amp that will work with the MINI? As a worse case scenario I'd be willing to take out the speakers too and run new wires. I assume that taking out the whole system would solve the problem, right? I'd rather not have to go that far, though.

Thanks.

 

That's your option. Actually, someone here posted a non-total replacement option in the last few months. Might be worth taking a look.

I bought an HK amp as a spare just in case. So far, so good.

 

I have an 04 with HK that I am removing since this is a track car now and I never even turn it on. The parts are for sale. PM if interested.

 

The speakers are dual coil 2 Ohm in the HK. If you could find something to drive them you would be lucky. So, the bottom line is that if you plan to replace the HU and put an aftermarket amp in you might as well go the distance and replace the speakers with a set of 4 Ohm. Of course, you will also need to rewire as well.

The other option is to stay stock and buy an HK amp. Either way you are looking at a pretty hefty cost.

 

I'm very blessed to have a boyfriend who loves audio. He just figured out how to get the headunit I want, speakers and an amp for the cost of a used HK amp. With the help of a few unused parts being donated on his end. This is the route I'm going to go. I'm going to tear out everything HK in the car and go aftermarket. that way, if the amp goes bad again it will be much easier to fix.

Thanks so much for all the information. The research I did last night + this thread has made me feel much, much better about this car.

 

Im assuming you dont have the multi function steering wheel I would never give up my steering wheel controls.

 

Actually I do. But I've gone my whole life without multifunction so I can manage. Even though it would be nice, I'd prefer to have an audio system I can depend on than just replace a problem with another problem.

 

Dead buttons on the steering wheel... pointless. Just change the HK amp the stock HK system will sound better than any reasonably price after market audio system.

 

I want to upgrade to the three spoke anyways and I disagree. Aftermarket can sound far better than any stock "upgraded" system. I'm getting MB quart speakers and a 9 series Kenwood headunit (not the 7 series I originally posted about).

No matter what I was planning on getting the headunit, which I assume is where the loss of steering wheel features come in. I-pod connectivity and bluetooth are very important to me, more so than having a working button on a steering wheel. It's also a beautiful and incredibly functional headunit.

 

Just a point to note... upgrading the speaker setup using the stock HU in a 1st-gen is not a bad idea. Most of them are made by Alpine for MINI (the other is Harman Kardon; I'm guessing this would mate up with the HK amp as well). The one thing most people want to do is upgrade the HU to one that has the AUX jack (I originally had an '02 MCS; the HU has to be Jan. '03 or newer to support it) or the bonus of having MP3 capability (which would be an '05 or '06 MCS).

There are two options for using the MFSW controls with an aftermarket HU. One is getting a harness. This link is for non-HK, but you already plan on redoing the wiring: http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=46. The other is to buy a PAC SWI-JACK interface. You can find it at Crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Jqh5sqa...w&rvm=ShowAllt.

You can also use a wiring harness for connecting amplifiers to the stock stereo. New MINI Stuff carries it; I just cannot find the link. I bought one last year but realized it converts all four speaker connectors into two sets of RCA drops for amps (I just wanted to connect one aftermarket amp while still using the stock speaker wiring). I still have it and only want $45 for it (I think it was 50 pounds Sterling plus shipping when I bought it). PM me if you are interested.

 

Thanks, I'll look into that after I upgrade to a 3 spoke

 

Incase you change your mind... check this thread for a Harmon Kardon amp used for $200: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../11459/cat/all.

 

Oh there is no changing of the mind at this point :D





I am very happy with my decision. What isn't shown there is the shallow mount 12 that my boyfriend is currently building a custom box for. What is cool about it is that when all is said and done the box will be flush with the rear seats when they fold down, meaning I'll only lose a few inches of height for storage.

The HK speakers and headunit will be up for sale soon.

 

please post when you are done. i have a false bottom trunk where my amps are (sub amp + 4 channel amp), but i was not able to fit a shallow sub, so i have a really strong 8-inch that doesn't take too much space but really obvious, would love to see how you fit a 12" sub AND the amplifiers!

 

The sub I have is the Rockford Fosgate P3SD412, it's a shallow mount 12. The box we built had 1.1 cubic feet of air, the sub calls for .7-1.3. We got the volume by pushing it up past the rear gate a little bit, so that it is flush with the rear seats when they are folded down. It's not as "clean" looking as some of the other installs here, but we optimized airspace with it.

Here was the box pre-false floor



The box had a step in it for the amps

Finished product



Here's what it looks like with the little privacy cover



Still plenty of storage. I'm going to get a cargo net so my stuff doesn't fall out when ever I open the trunk.