I just had to share with everyone that I installed a USA Spec iPod interface in my '05 R53 with the H/K sound system about a year ago and got some nasty ground loop buzzing that was very apparent at higher volume levels. I was able to fix it really easily today finally by not plugging the unit into the cables that attached directly to the CD changer, but by instead popping open the right side panel in the boot where the amp is placed. Once in there you will see the same connecters that the CD changer uses. Unplug those (you are basically just unplugging the extension cable to the CD changer) and plug the USA spec unit into the the factory harness from the amp and voila! All the noise is now gone! I couldn't believe it! So if you are still experiencing this problem, give it a try. Not sure how this fix works with other brands like the Dice unit or others, but its definitely worth a try if you haven't already done so. I also don't have any experience with the newer R56's or other MINI radio harness' so I have no idea how it will work for them, but I imagine its all very similar. Its just a REALLY easy fix that worked for me and worth a look if you are experiencing the same issue I was.

 

I having this issue - but I am currently plugged into the harness in the boot- are you saying to plug it in there or elsewhere?

Thanks!

 

Do you have it plugged into the harness that's behind the little access panel on the right side of the boot, or the harness that may or may not be hanging outside for the factory CD changer? My problem was my car originally had the CD changer installed and I just removed it and simply plugged in the USA Spec interface into the existing harness that was right there in the boot. But when I did that I got the ground loop noise. When I finally started poking around for a solution, I noticed that the CD changer harness clearly went behind that right panel in the boot, so I opened up that side cover and found the plugs and discontinued them (thus eliminating what was just an extension cable) then plugged the USA Spec iPod harness into that connection and that was it, no more ground loop noise at all!

If any of this doesn't make sense, I'll see if I can take a picture for you to help out.

 

Thanks for the reply, My car was factory without the CD changer, so I plugged my adapter thinggy into the two plugs that were masking taped to the harness inside the right side cubby where the changer would normally be mounted. Are you saying that those connect to another extension somewhere in the right side rear panel? I was thinking of trying to find where they terminate under the dash, behind the stereo but I wasn't sure if it would be the same style plug..

Thanks again for the help!

 

Not sure how the wiring is without the CD changer installed, but yeah the factory essentially just added an extention to that cable that I removed. I'm not sure you had that though based on your response if I'm understanding you correctly. I'll try and take a picture this weekend for you.

Your other thought about going father up to the radio may work to as you would be shortening the length of wires considerably which I attributed to the probable cause of my noise problem.

 

Thanks I really appreciate the help, can anyone comment on the location of the cd changer harness related to the back of the stereo?