Would there be any showstoppers that would prevent me from putting in the black cd player and radio and bezel into my 08 R56...like the radio might be VIN locked or something. Tried searching but couldn't find anything on the subject. Nothing wrong with mine but just prefer the black look. Thanks.

I have the MINI Boost currently and the black system appears to be a MINI boost system also.

 

It might not even be that complex. I'm pretty sure the black parts are just plastic covers. If you can find those, you should be able to do a swap.

 

The only thing i can see different between them besides the color is the volume **** is moved into the speedo cluster and there is an eject button on the bottom of the cd player.

 

Ok...it is possible. All plug and play. You just need the radio, cd player and bezel from an 11+ R56. My R56 just has the base radio and found a unit that came with the h/k amp (which I didn't use) but the head unit works no problem. The new unit has HD radio working flawlessly. It comes with the USB so all I need is the wire from the USB to the back of the unit for it to be functional I guess. Bluetooth is working flawlessly also. My phone connects no problem but I still need a microphone for me to be able to use it. It also has Sirius enabled but I don't know what else I would need for satellite radio to work. If anyone wants to chime in and help me get the rest of the stuff working, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!!!

Here are few picks of my retrofit...

 

It works....just the need the radio, cd player, and bezel and everything is plug and play.

Pics here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...post12075.html

 

part #'s... I like this

 

I have long wanted the black center stack for my 08 R56. Where did you get the pieces? Cost?

thanks, Hoopty

 

I don't have part numbers but I got everything off of ebay. Found the black A/C controls for about $40, the radio/ CD player and bezel for around $200 (you have to get the bezel because the volume has moved from under the CD player to the speedo) and I got the 160mph speedo with the black trim for around $40 (the 160mph speedo works just fine even if you had a 150mph speedo previously but for some reason I lost my blinker clicking sound after I changed those out)

Something to note...the LCI CD player/radio doesn't connect to your MOST bus so if you have satellite or Bluetooth or USB, be prepared to might run into a few problems as everything is integrated into the head unit.

I'm still working to get satellite radio 100% functional and I still need to figure out how to wire in the OEM Bluetooth microphone.

 

Mahalo for the feedback on your setup...I like OE as much as possible...cleaner fit IMHO I hate getting into cars and people frop a dope system in but steering controls don't work and they are listen to the FM dial...

 

Here are a few of the finished pics with the 160mph speedo in with the black spray painted trim.

 

That looks nice, very clean! I think you've just given me inspiration for my winter mod...plus, I was just wondering how to get Sirius in the car, this should solve that too! Thanks!

 

I still have a few issues with satellite and I still haven't figured out how to get the bluetooth microphone to work so there are still a few issues to be ironed out.

 

Do you have the OEM bluetooth kit, or was that part of your retrofit? I've already got that, so hoping that you don't and I don't run into that issue

What have you tried doing for the sat radio? Do you have an antenna for it? I feel like it's something that shouldn't need to be programmed, as it should just be part of the radio cluster.

Subscribing to the thread, love to see what you come up with

 

Was just reading through the NCSExpert spreadsheet and found this:

 

I didn't have sat, bluetooth, or hd radio on my car originally so this retrofit wasn't that bad since I didn't have anything to lose but if you have bluetooth, keep in mind that the lci headunit doesn't connect to the MOST bus line and you will lose functionality of it. Bluetooth does come integrated into the LCI headunit and it connects to my phone no problem, I just haven't figured out how to get the microphone to work yet (I need a wiring diagram from a pre LCI and a LCI to figure out the mic thing). I wouldn't undertake this retrofit unless you, or have someone, that can code stuff to your car.

Trying to get sirius to work...my first post is at the end of the page
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...inners-11.html

I had to buy a 72" fakra extension cable to reach the sat antenna connection from the back of the radio to under the passenger seat. After I got the antenna plugged in, I got audio from sirius and activated my three month free trial and it is working, I just can't switch from satellite to anything else. (Might be a FSC code issue)

I've only read about one other person that has done a retrofit like this before and there was extremely very little info on it so i'm kind of went into this blind. My only references I can use is to see what bmw guys have done with retrofits and try and recreate them for the MINI.

 

Way past that on troubleshooting haha

 

Wow, just read through the last few pages of that thread, you seem to have a lot worked out already! I haven't started playing around with NCSExpert yet, but hope to do so soon. I have a cable, just need a new laptop.

I don't want to clutter your thread with useless things that don't contribute, so if you don't mind, I may send you some PMs.

By chance, did you ever figure out what the specific part numbers needed for all of this are?

 

I don't have part numbers but you can find exactly what you need at realoem.com

 

DirtyMini, did you ever sort the microphone wiring.
I have searched everywhere for an answer and I am about to try and retrofit my 2007 MCS R56 which has no current extras other than Boost Radio and fitted for CD Changer with the same radio as you have done.

 

Did this swapout today with complete success on a 2006 R56 S with no previous bluetooth or usb.
I got a USB cable and adaptor from China but the USB/AUX block did not fit and the aux connrctor was no good so I am carrying on using the the old AUX connector and the USB is currently just sitting in the oddments tray but I will sort this when I can find a reasonably price mini USB/AUX in block.
I connected the Mic to pins 1 and 6 in the top left connector in the radio quadlock connector holding the connector with the radio side facing you.
Everything works without coding as luckily I already had the steering wheel switches. Sayiing that my DAB radio does not work as I have no aerial connected. My LCI radio had no MOST optical connetcors but my car was fitted with the 6 CD Changer fittings, but no changer. As there is nothing elsein my car on the MOST Bus this is not a problem.

I am happyto field any questions on this as it took me a while to get everything together and then about 3 hours to fit including the MIC

 

Shrubba, did you have any luck getting the USB working? I have an LCI R56 with no Bluetooth/USB and am looking to retrofit a head unit including those features.

I just need to know what AUX/USB block and USB connector are necessary.

 

I spent more on the block than I wanted to in the end and when for this from EBay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2313333735...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
which is titled:
BMW USB AUX-IN Buchse Schaltbar Adapter 84109229246
The cable I also got from ebay with my original block that did not fit or work correctly. This item has disappeared out og my Ebay account and I am having a job to find it .
This is an example of the sort of cable you need although this one, like the one I have is longer than required:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...866279888.html

 

PS

This is a good link as well
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...b-upgrade.html

 

Have a look at the connector going into your existing aux socket and make sure it looks like this (the one on the left in the second picture).
The one on the right is the USB socket connector.

 

Sorry, I missed the link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-USB-AU...item3aa4fdc625