I've searched extensively for aftermarket stereo options with no luck, until this weekend. I found the company Metra makes a dash kit to replace the factory stereo with an aftermarket unit, and they even include blank out plates to eliminate the factory radio controls. http://www.metraonline.com/part/Mini...sh_kit_99-9309

They also make the wiring adapters. I am excited to soon be replacing the factory radio with the Alpine 133BT with built in bluetooth for phone and streaming mucic. I will add the Alpine inline amplifier and some aftermarket speakers. This should really enhance the driving experience.

 

sounds like your gonna have a sweet system. you should look into the
alpine PXE-H660. its a signal processor and connects into any stock head unit so it keeps your speedo lookin clean without that crapy blank out peice.

just some advise of my own. im instaling mine sometime next month.
good luck,
Daniel

 

A big warning. As discussed in other threads, if you remove the factory head unit the BMW software used at repair shops and dealers will not function without the RADIO module installed. The radio is an intergral part of the vehicle's computer system and serves as a gateway between the optical MOST bus and CAN bus of the car.

There have been amazing relocation efforts made of the factory head unit in other threads.

 

that kit has been available for almost 2 years now. And a number of other forum members have used it.

The original adapters they came out with to make the speedo display function did not work and they took it off the market. Not sure if they have come up with another option yet.

But as strobeyprobey stated the OEM head unit MUST stay in the car. Remove it and you WILL have problems if you need a software upgrade or repair.

 

And BTW if you have a HiFi or HK amp in the car make sure you leave those as well. A dealer/aftermarket shop will not be able to do any computer work if they are not there.

 

They also make the wiring adapters. I am excited to soon be replacing the factory radio with the Alpine 133BT with built in bluetooth for phone and streaming mucic. I will add the Alpine inline amplifier and some aftermarket speakers. This should really enhance the driving experience.[/QUOTE]

Keith, if you have time, wait until Kevin with Integral Audio has released their "SoundStage" upgrade. If you search for post by Integral, you will see all the hi-tech work that he has put into his system. Kevin is really on top of the MINI system. You will retain the OE radio unit so there will not be any issues with MINI service.... Just my $0.02 worth. This weekend I will be installing their Sub-Woofer in my R56...... Good luck with which ever way you decide!

 

Please post or start a thread with a review of the Integral sub. Very curious about it.

 

Not to get too far off the OP's post but there are quite a few good reviews about it on here already.

 

Can't he just connect it on upgrade or repair?

 

Interesting. Does this apply to first gen cars as well?

 

That would require removing half the dash for the head unit or the rear of the car for the amps. Is it worth 3 hours of time to reconnect it and another 3 hours of time to take it back out every time you need to take the car in for service.

 

No Gen 1 cars are a completely different system.

 

Keith, if you have time, wait until Kevin with Integral Audio has released their "SoundStage" upgrade. If you search for post by Integral, you will see all the hi-tech work that he has put into his system. Kevin is really on top of the MINI system. You will retain the OE radio unit so there will not be any issues with MINI service.... Just my $0.02 worth. This weekend I will be installing their Sub-Woofer in my R56...... Good luck with which ever way you decide![/QUOTE]

Lazy link to Integral Audio's sound stage thread

 

Double post, having to wait for moderator to approve posts caught me off guard.

 

He would just need to pull out the double-din and reconnect the stereo to the original 40 pin cable (and optical), which is easy as the Metra double din kit just gives an access to the "behinds" (double din "hole" in the middle).
He can also have an extended loom (such as the ones newministuff.com sells) so it would be easier.
A link to the solution on the forum.

 

You can think what ever you want but the OEM head unit is an integral part of the computer systems in the car. Removal is NOT recommended. Also you loose all the speedo display window text and a bunch of other options as well.

Is it possible to remove it? Yes.

Is it practical? No.

Lets say the OP is on a trip that takes him 1500 miles from home. The car breaks down. You can bet he does not have the OEM head unit in the car since he removed it. So he either has to have the car towed 1500 mile to his home or have someone priority mail the head unit to him so the car can be fixed. Way much more hassle than if the OEM Head unit was left in the car.

 

Leave the OEM HU hooked up, with the radio turned off. Buy a ribbon cable from ebay to extend the stock CD player portion into the back of the speedo. It stays connected, computer still functions. If you have amps from hi-fi, leave them connected. Disconnect the speakers (either from behind the HU or from the X9331 plug, and tap new wires to run to the back of the console area with the metra kit, or just run completely new wires to the speakers if you plan on swapping those out anyways, or an aftermarket amp, whichever suits your fancy. OEM amp is still connected to stock radio/computer, cd player/computer is all still connected, functions as normal and can be updated by the dealer. Forget the wiring harnesses, just make the two systems completely independent of each other. Don't see what the huge deal is and why everyone makes this swap out to be rocket science.


I'm an ME and could figure out the electrical aspect of my car radio.. lol

Even the guys @ HC MINI complimented my work, as they all drool over the modded MINI in their service bay whenever I'm there lol

 

I totally agree and you have said it in a better way than I have.

It makes no sense to remove something that can be moved as easily as the OEM head unit can.

 

It's heart warming to see so much good advice. You can feel the love on this thread!

We shouldn't have to do so much to get good sound...

Good luck OP!

 

Check this thread out... The Intergal sub rocks. Best upgrade I did for my Mini, and I did a lot. Waiting patiently for the SoundStage upgrade.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...subwoofer.html

 

I would really like to get a Mini shop's answer to this. I don't think any functional part of the car's computer is in the stereo, I think the stereo is just an accessory readout just like any other OBDII accessory. I could probably verify this by removing the unit and plugging in my GoPoint OBDII interface. It would be silly to integrate the car's controls into the extremely under-thought head unit which would make replacement very expensive. Furthermore, all of the visuals are available on the steering column. I suppose you couldn't switch the menu to french to impress your lady friend, but that's your problem. I think someone is wanting me to keep my head unit so I can buy their version of solution. You just can't improve on the crappy head unit with no connectivity for newer app based phones, and a skipping CD player and no bluetooth, and so on.

 

I have to wonder (not the expert of which you seek).
I took the factory boost radio out and put in the metra kit and
double din DVD player.

I have no difficulty using the bavtech tool to reset warning lights and
change the condition based service indicators. (although there is a glitch
in the newest bavtech software that they admittedly have not fixed and you
have to know to use an earlier version it is VERY annoying).

I have not had my car to the dealer since I installed it.

When my tool runs a fault test it does indicate failure with the radio module.
But then I also get a failure of the sunroof module (I do not have a sunroof).

There is plenty of room to leave the CD in for a single din install.
I am not so sure about a DVD player though. It was tough going as it was.
That's why I decided to not mess with retaining the original radio.

 

You are correct there is nothing in the radio module other than the on board computer display, chimes and radio/CD/Bluetooth functionality.

Chimes can be reprogrammed with NCS to come out the speaker on the back of the speedo (same one that generates the turn signal sound).

It has been reported here the dealer software ISTA/P will fail run without the radio module. I am not sure about ISTA/D for diagnostics, that should be okay. ISTA/P is the service that updates the firmware of all the modules.