is there anything i need to know about replacing the stock radio for a new one with bluetooth. i believe it has a factory amp but not sure can i just replace the head unit or do i need to bypass the HK amp?

thx mike

 

The stock radio is integrated with the car electronics and there is no practical way to replace it. You can bypass the audio functions and add an aftermarket head unit somewhere else, such as with the Metra double din kit: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-install.html

If bluetooth is what you wanted, there is an OEM retrofit but it is expensive: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...and-i-pod.html

 

my radio isnt intergrated into the speedo its below it.

 

My apologies, when I saw 08 mini s in the title, I assumed the 2nd gen hardtop but I guess you have a 1st gen convertible.

You can connect an aftermarket headunit directly to the HK amp using an adapter called the HK Enabler. It is only available from this UK vendor: http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=116. It was developed by a member here (Ian Cull/GBMINI) and chronicled in his blog: http://www.gbmini.net/wp/2004/06/min...roductionized/

You can bypass the HK amp, but if you did that you should change the speakers as well. The HK speakers have nonstandard impedence (2 ohm) and no crossovers.

There are a number of aftermarket Bluetooth adapters available for the stock headunit. You can see some on the NewMiniStuff site and some are also available from US vendors.