Hi All,
I'm looking to replace the stock MINI antenna with a "shorty" style.

What antenna's have / are you using that have as good reception as the stock antenna? I've heard some good things about using the antenna from a Honda S2000... Anyone have this on their MINI?

Thanks in advance for your response....

 

I use the Alta. Good reception (equal or better than stock), great looks affordable price.

p.s. Welcome to the tribe of MINIACS.
_________________
BLUBELLE - 9/02 production 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley and CAI, Unichip PnP ECU, Moss Skid Plate, Rear Fogs, Chrome Trim Interior. Motoring since 10/18/02.
I V-1 do you?

 

I'm using a short antenna purchased from Canada. I believe it's the same one Mini Mania offers. It's the shortest and smallest one that I could find. No noticeable difference in reception quality. :smile:

Mini Mania


Alta


Moss (Honda)


Billet


_________________

 

One that is real popular is the Honda S2000 antena. I got mine from the dealer for $19.00 It is very short and looks great. The only one that I have seen that is shorter is the Alta.

 

I have the S2000 antenna...works great! I like the look of that Alta though...

 

I'm using an S2000 antenna (which is the same as for the Element, btw).

Works great and my MCS no longer looks like an R/C model!

 

How difficult is to replace the antenna? I'm debating switching to an S2000 antenna, but first I need my MCS (on a NJ bound ship any day now).

-Buck

 

I have the mini mania one, its tiny. But reception wasnt noticably affected

 

>>How difficult is to replace the antenna? I'm debating switching to an S2000 antenna, but first I need my MCS (on a NJ bound ship any day now).

Beware! This is a massive job that will require special tools and many hours. DO NOT attempt an antenna swap unless you are extremely experienced in automotive repair.

 

>>>>How difficult is to replace the antenna? I'm debating switching to an S2000 antenna, but first I need my MCS (on a NJ bound ship any day now).
>>
>>Beware! This is a massive job that will require special tools and many hours. DO NOT attempt an antenna swap unless you are extremely experienced in automotive repair. :smile:

As far as the size goes, here's a list from big to small:
MINI > Billet > Moss = Honda = Toyota > Alta > Mini Mania > Shark fin


_________________

 

think outside the box.

 

Just get the stock antenna and cut it off above the first notch about 4 inches high. I think it will still work fine and will be in instant shorty for free. You don't even have to take it off the car. Cut all your fellow MINI owners' antennas so that they can be like yours. oops, that might be a felony of some sort.

I have a honda Element antenna. I went to Honda and the parts person said the S2000 antenna was sold out to the VW folks or something like that so all they had left were the Element antennas which are exactly the same as the S2000.
The radio reception works well but the Italian Job yellow ball doesn't really fit too well.

 

For the record, antennae are specific lengths for specific reasons.

 

I like the "remote conrol car" look of my factory antenna. Besides. if you replace the antenna you void the warranty on the entire car except for the tire warranty which is provided by the tire maker.


R.E.

 

alta short antenna is a nice unit. i live in a remote spot with mountains around and i get as good of reception as i did before. the install is the easy part it takes about two minutes to replace.

 

I went the S2000 route and I am quite pleased with the results. Now I am able to clearly picky two Pirate Hatian Radio stations off I-95 in Miami.

_________________
2004 MCS Indi Blue /W Sport, Lapis blue interior - Stock for now, but not for long.

 

I got "C" and love it. Looks great. Not overly short, but certainly not ridiculous like the stock one.


_________________
~She was actin' cooth until she started spitting out the sunroof through her missin' tooth~

 

i too went the s2000 route. don't know ,however how that's changed the reception. i use the cd player and will hopefully hook up my xm once i get around to buying the blitzsafe interface. i generally have the shorty antenna for looks and performance is only secondary for me. the oem just looked too mini rc for my taste. ymmv.

regards,
eric

 

I went into Honda looking for the S2000 antenna and came out with the Element antenna - their identical. As for cuny's suggestion that it's a 2 minute job, 3/4 of that is getting it out of the bag. I haven't timed it but about 30 seconds should be all you need to replace it. No decline in reception performance that I've noticed.

 

After upgrading to Kenwood Head unit, the radio reception of the short antenna suddenly became inadequet and the reception produced a lot of static. So I tried the factory antenna and the reception was a lot better. Since I didn't like the RC look of the factory antenna, I purchased the Honda antenna, which works just as well as MINI OEM antenna.

_________________

 

where i'm at on oahu, it's fairly mountainous and there's a definite difference in reception down toward the southeastern tip of the island. most of the fm radio stations are staticy enuff that i change it til i find one that's decent. in town and in the plains, no static at all.

never did have the problem until i swapped out my oem for the minimania antenna. but with a board tied down on the roof racks, i do need the shorty to make things work.

sounds like i may have to try the honda antenna.

 

There's no AM/FM antenna in the Shark Fin, it holds a GPS and cellular antenna ONLY.

Also the MY 2004's will be the last ones with the Shark Fin, the 2005's are getting an all new all in one antenna unit, it'll have the AM/FM antenna, GPS, Sirius, and cellular all in one unit...

 

If the am/fm antenna is not in the sharks fin on a mini w/ nav, where is it?

My reception stinks.

 

I have the Alta Shorty Antenna and haven't noticed any difference in reception from the original:smile:

 

The antenna is embedded in the rear window.