Just re-read the whole thread again. PAC TR7 comment was concerning way back in the earlier posts. Hmmmmmmmm.

 

So if I have a 2012 r56, which pin# would be my best bet?

 

Working fine!

 

Ok... this thread has been super-informative, but I want to get some clarification before I dive into this project.

This board is at the FRONT of the stock CD player that's behind the dash trim below the speedometer, correct?




I need to get a ribbon cable of SOME pitch and pin number to mount the board UNDER the speedometer, above the new head unit (I'm looking at a DDin). Has any there been any consensus as to what size ribbon cable belongs to which year?

Then, I need to cut the speaker wires ONLY, and wire that up to a new harness for the new head unit and then tap into existing 12V and acc wires. I suspect they are all behind the speedometer somewhere. Is there a color guide for this?

Are there any possible speed bumps in installing a steering wheel control interface kit to this method?

Also, is there any merit to this kit over moving the factory stereo board?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120BMRC...n-Adapter.html

Thanks for your help... I just got my 2007 S and I'm already anxious to get the sound up to the rest of the car!!

 

You know what really sucks?!?!! Doing this job on your '08 with apparently the 32 pin cable but finding out that it needs the 40 pin cable because the radio was taken out and replaced at some point. So now I need to source out that 40 pin. Anyone need a 32 pin???

 

i need a long ribbon! pm me!

 

You know what sucks (PART #2).

You get your new 40 pin cable, disassemble the dash AGAIN, proceed to do the install only to realize that the new 40 pin cable has some wiggle as it doesn't have the extra edges to it......... thus installation of said cable may not allow for proper alignment. I almost risked installing it but packed it in and put EVERYTHING back to factory due to my warning bells going off in my head.

Thwarted AGAIN.............

By the time I get this right, it will be time to sell the car.

 

Question for you guys that have done the cable extension. I've attached a picture of the cable off the guy on Ebay from Taiwan. His cable is on the top. The 40 pin OEM cable is shown on the bottom from the unit out of my car. The pins are exactly the same but the overall cable width of the OEM cable is slightly wider. Thus the replacement cable doesn't sit in the harness without some side to side discrepancies. Therefore the pin placement with the new cable could be off.

So what did your cable look like ????

 

Will the 32 pin work on my 2007 MCS?

 

Dropped a few F-bombs and I'm just going to install the new head unit in my '08 without the display working under the speedo for now until I figure out how to resolve the ribbon cable issue. I disconnected the short ribbon so it allows the display to remain under the speedo so at least cosmetically it's there.

I wish some of the previous posters that have had success could chime in on that ribbon cable stuff. I don't know if I just got a cable that wasn't a true 40 pin or something. Could have been a 50 pin stripped back ?!?!? Anyways, my picture above tells the story.

 

I'm up and running. Just took out the factory stuff and unplugged the 50pin to the display so it stays in the car. It's just non-functional now. But I have tunes !!

 

Hmm just about the time I was going "hey maybe I'll do this next" I see you Tominizer have ran into the snag I feared. glad too here you have music back.. sorry too see nobody would give help on the ribbon cable issue..

 

Anybody have any idea what this cable is? It goes from the LED board to the board between the volume and the CD player itself.

I just bought a cable and I am almost 100% sure it's the wrong one.

Any help?

 

wrong cable from the car. there are 2 ribbon cables: one that links the volume **** circuit board with the control **** module (with the display that fits in the speedo), this cable is NOT what you are looking to replace and it looks like a chrome/aluminum foil like.



the one you are looking for is where the volume **** circuit board links up to the cd player, the actual headunit where the cd slides in. this cable is originally very short, running at about 2-3 inches tops. the wider, chrome-like ribbon cable is about 6-8 inches.



replace the intended 2-3 inch ribbon cable with the extended one you've purchased by popping the lock from the circuit board, pulling out the ribbon and replacing it with the new one, reverse procedure. note: to get to the other end where it is linked to the cd player, you must semi-dismantle the CD player to reach the ribbon cable. three philips screws and you should be able to pop out two of the guard panels on the player and access the ribbon port.





my trouble is fitting the darn unit up the back of the speedo. OP couldn't have simply slid it in. there simply isn't enough room unless if some cutting of plastic is carried out.



trust me, i've tried stuffing it above where the unit is situated in the picture.

 

Reading from this thread I am getting slightly confused. First I hear if the original hardware is removed the car gets angry so to speak, then I also see that the only differences is that the display on the speedometer no longer works and so long as you can access them through the tach that it doesn't matter. What is the case? I have a radio that I take with me from vehicle to vehicle and would like to install it into my recently aquired 09 r56 jcw. Thanks for any help.

 

Gathering observation from what I saw at the plug that connects to the factory head unit, I see that there are some thick orange cables that look similar to fiber optic cables used in CAN or MOST systems. I could be wrong as it is just a guess.

When installing my aftermarket head unit I was left with no choice but to disconnect the unit for the new unit to fit in. Everything worked normally after the installation was complete.

You should be able to completely remove the factory unit from the car completely without the car giving any complaints (which lets me think about what has been assumed in the past on this thread); I can personally confirm it.

 

Since I had kept the oem radio hidden, I was happy to see my clock and date all the time and I like the fact that the light were there and I didn't have some plastic trims instead of lcd.
So my friend was in my car and wanted to change the radio, he pressed AUDIO on the tach...horror ! the radio band showed up and not it is on permanently.
I can of course press the clock to go there, BUT THE RADIO IS ALIVE AGAIN...argggg
What is the best way to kill it so I only have it OFF? I tried the unplug battery for hours, remove the fuse...nah
is my only option to remove everything and press the volume button ???
Help guys...

 

Any reason to think that I couldn't do the same technique with a single DIN unit? I don't really need a double din.

 

I've just replaced the original papermaché 6"x9"rear speakers with Focals 7"x10". What an improvement! I must admit that it was quite a lot of work. All except the ceiling had to be removed from the front seats and back. It was a snug fit and I damaged the cars original right plastic speakercover. I've already ordered a new one. Happy easterholidays!

 

Does this look right for the Ribbon Cable?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/32pin-L-400mm-AWM-20624-80C-Ribbon-Cable-laptop-same-side-0-50mm-pitch-32-pin-/321147960955?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac5e8fe7b

 

Wow I've just read this whole thread as well as a couple of other ones about aftermarket stereo installs and all I can say is that I feel more confused than when I started. We'll not really, but my head is spinning! I'm planning on installing a single din head unit in my 2007 MCS with the base stereo, hopefully in a couple of weeks. Let me make sure I get this straight of what I'll need,
-Metra double din facia
-aftermarket head unit (I'm thinking Kenwood KDC-X998)
-Steering wheel control adapter (metra axxess)
-FM/AM antenna adapter

Am I missing something? One important thing to mention is that my display is slowly starting to loose its pixels and I want it off but still want the chimes and for it to be able to upgrade and what not.

Now for the confusing part. I'm no good with cables so I'm having a shop do the install. I've tried explaining what I want but maybe you guys can explain more elegantly than me. Basically leave the LCD display part and hide the CD part behind the speedo? Which cables remain connected and which are disconnected? If I understand right since I don't want the LCD display on then I don't need the ribbon cable? Well I'm a mess... haha but thank you guys for the previously answered! Y'all have already answered a lot!

 

i have a 2014 cooper s convertible. will this job work on my car?
i want to install the Metra with a Pioneer AVIC-6000NEX

my current configuration

 

i ordered these things im crossing my fingers the install will work i will post pics once complete

AXX13-BMRC-01 NonAmplified BMW/Mini Vehicle Chime Retention Interface

MET13-99-9309 Single or Double DIN Installation Dash Kit for 2007-10 Mini Cooper

AXX13-ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Kit for Aftermarket Radio

Metra 40-EU10 Antenna to Radio Adapter Cable for Select 2002-Up BMW


Pioneer AVIC-6000NEX 6.1 inch double DIN navi

SiriusXM SXV200V1 Tuner

 

installed with 90% positive report


1.parking sensors not working
2.there are the holes on the dash unit because it was made for a 2010 model
3.its way too low for my eyes

i want to know if there are solutions to get my double dinn into my speedometer with a relatively easy install one where i can turn it back to stock without an issue

 

Does anyone live in Southern California & willing to help me hide the factory radio? I'll pay you in money & beer (if wanted)