Is the stock head unit a Kenwood?

 

Alpine.. i believe

 

Just called MINI, and the stock head unit is indeed an Alpine. Now I'm confused.

I thought it was a Kenwood, not sure why, but I ordered the SoundGate interface for a Sirius tuner a while back specifically for a Kenwood. Funny thing is, it works fine. What's even more bizarre, is that Alpines come XM ready?

Steering wheel controls work fine with the wrong interface, but the display does not come up on the screen, 2 questions...

1) If I had the corrent interface, would the display (channel/artist/song name) work?
2) If I got a Kenwood tuner, would the display work?

Thanks...

 

You bought it for a Kenwood because your sirius tuner is a kenwood - the convertor - as far as I know, sends sounds as if it acted like an AUX input to the HU.

So the adaptor only cares what brand your Sirius tuner is.

 

In answer to your other questions

AFAIK, there is no elegant solution for aftermarket on HU SIrius display - you have the correct adapter

If you purchased a Kenwood HU (or any sirius-ready HU) you WOULD get display of the info you want on the HU

 

Right on. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

I ended up getting the Kenwood H2A unit.

I used industrial velcro to secure it to the bottomside of the center console - i have alloy patina inside and it matched perfectly - all cords are hidden and I get a nice display.

I wanted the stock look.. but the only way to truly get that is MINI-Sirius which was too expensive, IMHO

 

One last question, I swear... (insert fingers crossed)

If I installed an aftermarket head unit, would I maintain the MFSW controls?

 

there are adaptors to do so - i don't know exactly what - search for it - I've seen a bunch of threads about it

but the short answer is: Yes

 

once again, thanks

 

Storer -

Check out http://www.newministuff.co.uk. They have plugand play MFSW adapters for Kenwood - about $60 delivered. I got one for a new Sony HU and it works like a charm.

 

Storer: If you have an 03 or newer and interested in selling your stock head unit let me know, if the price is right I might be willing to purchase it. :smile:

 

PM'd ya...

 

No all Sirius OEM adapters work with a Kenwood KTC-SR902 (or901, or 903) tunner. That is because KW tunners are everywhere for sirius.

The Soundgate adapter allows Sirius to play and be CONTROLED thru the oem radio. I hear this works well.

Also Alpine is a Sirius partner and the direct Alpine tunner interface will be out in Aug. It works on all 04 alpine and connects thru ai-net.

BTW Get your KW 902 tuner ASAP. Right now its free when the retailers run out of 902s you will be paying for it. Check your local best buy for it. They should still have stock.

SIRIUS_ITsON

 

Soundgate part# for mini cooper (Provides a digital interface):

http://www.soundgate.com/

#KBMWSIRV2