I by-passed the HK system to get my MCS. Wanting the upgrade, but not getting it, I'd like some opinions on what would be an awesome after market setup. Only a few things are to be considered:
1. I want to keep my MCS looking factory original as possible, but you do have some playroom.
2. I want it controllable from the upgraded steering wheel controls I have.
3. I'd like to keep the speaker locations where they are.

The playroom areas are:
1. Does anyone know where the extra two speakers for the HK system are going to be placed - to add an extra two speakers.
2. Sub woofer and placement. No 12 cu ft cabinets please.
3. Amp placement.

Other than that go crazy and thanks for any ideas you can give me. Brands and basic prices of equipment will help with what I end up doing. Higher price does not mean better sound quality.

 

Hey sndwave... answering your questions one by one below:

>>I by-passed the HK system to get my MCS. Wanting the upgrade, but not getting it, I'd like some opinions on what would be an awesome after market setup. Only a few things are to be considered:
>> 1. I want to keep my MCS looking factory original as possible, but you do have some playroom.

I upgraded all the speakers, but kept the stock grills so you can't tell the speakers have been upgraded at all! Looks stock, but definitely is not!

>> 2. I want it controllable from the upgraded steering wheel controls I have.

Purchase the PAC SWI-X. It will allow you to keep your steering wheel controls.

>> 3. I'd like to keep the speaker locations where they are.

No problem... that can be done.

>>
>>The playroom areas are:
>> 1. Does anyone know where the extra two speakers for the HK system are going to be placed - to add an extra two speakers.

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that MINI is replacing the rear 6x9's with 2-ways which they consider extra?

>> 2. Sub woofer and placement. No 12 cu ft cabinets please.
>> 3. Amp placement.

I placed amp under false floor in trunk of MINI, you loose about 4 inches tops of depth. And if you do it right, it looks great and you can't tell. Place Sub on top of false floor.

>>
>>Other than that go crazy and thanks for any ideas you can give me. Brands and basic prices of equipment will help with what I end up doing. Higher price does not mean better sound quality.
>>

Here's exactly what I did with my car, I did not make any new holes, cuts, or anything to my car. Only the deck shows the system has been upgraded:

-Replaced deck with Alpine CDA-7894 ($315) plus XM radio ($300)
-PAC SWI-X ($50) added to maintain steering wheel controls
-Replaced front speakers wtih JL Audio XR525-CSi ($250)
-Replaced back 6x9 speakers with 6.5inchers JL Audio XR650-CXi ($160)
-Added JL Audio 300/4 Amp ($375)

To be added soon:

-JL Audio 500/1 amp ($400) to power JL Audio 10W7 Sub ($475)

JL Audio is very high end, thus expensive. You can do a very good upgrade for cheaper using other brands for sure.

To find best prices... hunt around web. Then take print outs to your local car stereo shop and have them match them. Most will.


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Cooper MINI S Chili Red/ White roof, Xenon lights, Sport Package, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Leather from SLC dealer. With Passport 8500 radar detector, Alpine CDA-7894 deck, JL Audio 300/4 amp, all JL Audio speakers, and XM Radio.

 

HighAnxiety,
Thanks - just the kind of info I was hoping to get without going through 1000's of posts.

 

Ditto to everything said by HighAnxiety. The HK extra 2 speakers are just that, 2-way 6x9s. Gee, since I replaced my 6x9s with 4-ways, does that mean I know have a 13 speaker setup (6.5" front components=4, plus the rear 4-way 6x9s=12, plus the sub=13)? HA!

I, too, built a false floor and housed my amps under it, with a plexiglass viewing window. Hand built a fiberglass enclosure that sits beside the amps, and partially goes over them. About 0.7cf. A bit extreme, but not large. You could just get/make a simple trapezoidal box which would do just fine if you don't want anything flashy. A 10" fits faily easily back there. A 12" is a stretch. Perhaps if you didn't want to get rid of the headunit, you could use in line high-to-low-level converters (about $20 each) on the speaker lines, and wire up amplifiers for the speakers. And keeping that simple approach, you could then get something like the Kenwood WOOX, which is a sub/amp combo package that should fit nicely in the back of the MINI.

But if you do go for the aftermarket headunit, the PAC SWI-X is a cinch to wire up. The placement of the IR blaster is a bit tricky to get perfect, but that's the only issue I had with it.




R

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2002 Darksilver/Black Cooper S

 

I fit 2 12" subs, 2 medium sized Rockford amps, 2 capacitors and 2 distribution blocks all in the trunk (and all under the trunk cover too!).
Well.... bye bye trunk...but I dont really care...
My box was built with special "windows" inside so that I can still access the battery and the rear brakelights....
I'll post pics when the install dude gives them to me....
Good luck!

 

>>-Replaced deck with Alpine CDA-7894 ($315) plus XM radio ($300)


Why did you choose that deck? Could you post a pic of you deck in you MC

 

>>>>-Replaced deck with Alpine CDA-7894 ($315) plus XM radio ($300)
>>
>>
>>Why did you choose that deck? Could you post a pic of you deck in you MC

Hello Abused... there are several reasons I chose this deck:

-Alpine quality and experience
-XM radio built in to unit
-CD changer capability
-Plays CDR/RW and MP3
-3 PreOuts
-Option between display lighting of green/amber... the amber EXACTLY matches the MINI display colors and therefore matches my car PERFECTLY
-There are other reasons too... too many to list. It's a VERY solid unit

Here are some pics.... not the greatest quality, sorry:



with the amber lighting:

 

I just ordered my mini a little over a week ago, and want to upgrade the system as well. I'm basically in the same situation, except that I also can't afford to lose the voice on my nav. Has anyone figured out a way to not lose voice or steering wheel controls? If so, is there any way of doing this with an MP3/CD player?

 

>>I just ordered my mini a little over a week ago, and want to upgrade the system as well. I'm basically in the same situation, except that I also can't afford to lose the voice on my nav. Has anyone figured out a way to not lose voice or steering wheel controls? If so, is there any way of doing this with an MP3/CD player?

Not totally sure in regards to the NAV. But the PAC SWI-X will maintain steering wheel controls to your stereo.