Hi

Greetings from over the pond. I thought I'd try posting on here as you guys seem more brave/capable then the folks on mini2

I'm based in the UK and my good lady is on her third Mini. She now has an '11 Cooper that she had from new with the Visual Boost system.

She now wants a multi changer fitted - which I now have. When I finally removed the box out of the dash upper glove/storage box I did not find any cables like I was expecting.

Wondering if any of you guys know if this is possible and if the cables are taped into the loom and you need to do more removal to get at them.

Cheers

Ids

 

It is possible that the wiring was not installed at the factory. In 2008, it was announced that US spec convertibles would no longer be prewired for the CD changer: http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/12/...nger-standard/. I wouldn't be surprised if it has spread to the other models by now. However, US spec may be different from UK spec.

 

As rkw said it may not be wired for it. But to check out a little more pull the glove box out and if it is there there it will be two items one is wired connector and the other is fiber optic cable as the data to control it is via fiber optic. If they are there they may be taped down to the loom lower than can be seen thru the upper dash hole

Also of not to you is that it would probably be cheaper in the long run to just get an iPod or other music device and not have to carry all the CD's And she would have a much larger selection than just the 6 CD's.

And if you do get it installed you may find that it does not work an you need another Fiber Optic connector down near the fuse panel to activate that fiber line. There is a lot more to it than just placing the unit in the car and connecting a few wires to it sometimes.

 

It's called an Ipod.....

 

@schatzy62 - Thanks for the reply. That's what I was looking for as I realise that the unit now uses the cars MOST bus for audio/control, as well as standard copper for power. Ill try and use RealOEM for idea of the actual parts. Its a bit scary doing a tear down on an '11 but theres some good videos on the YouTubes so may take a look at the weekend.

@ballandchain - thanks for your useful comment. Shame they are a POS from an audio point of view.

 

Actually your wrong. I don't get into the audio stuff like a few of my friends do but I have learned that you can burn your CD's into Itunes at a higher rate to get quality sound. Itunes on the other hand sells cd's/songs at 128 bitrate which makes the sound worse. Also you need to turn off your Ipods EQ. Plus, from the sound of your original post, your not setting this up for an "audiofile type" from the start so any sound quality you are going to miss out on won't be missed. Ipod's ripped at a higher bitrate wont sound too much different. Plus, you have the convenience of more than 6 CD's at a time. Is that more useful?

 

Ipod supports a lossless format as well (which would be full CD quality).

If the car has a USB port (part of the Bluetooth option), all you need is a memory stick with audio files, saved at any quality you care for. By all reports, the USB port uses a pretty good digital converter (higher quality sound than the CD player in the headunit).

 

I dont agree. We always rip in 256, sometimes 320. Just dont think the sound output is good from an iPod. That's the trouble these days, folks want quantity not quality and are used to listening to poor quality IMHO. Also depends on music you listen too. Anyway just my opinion.

Ill take a look at the conections and see if I can suss it....