This is my first post, so please forgive my being less than completely informed.

I'm the proud new owner of a 2013 JCW GP (#269) and let me say, this is amazing to drive...and I'm not quite done with the break-in period.

What's not amazing is the terrible factory stereo, so I have some extensive upgrades planned, which will hopefully result in some more amazing!

Obviously, my purchase and plan led me to these boards and the wondrous search functionality. Many people here have a long history with Mini and have so much legacy knowledge to offer. I'm very glad to have you all as a resource.

I set out to find a definitive answer on what I needed to do to keep the OBC functionality in the speedo, while mounting a new double din nav unit. I was very pleased with my search results and I've read countless posts over at least dozens of threads. Much to my dismay, I haven't found a confirmed answer to the question: What are the specs of the ribbon cable needed?

It's probably 0.50mm pitch and 38 pin, but I really want a confirmation from someone with a 2012-2013 that has actually done the relocation...BEFORE i order by cable (which apparently take 4 weeks to arrive from Thailand).

This question had been asked on several threads, but wasn't answered, as it was buried on some deep page of a mostly dead thread...so I wanted to start a new one.

If you can help, I'll be forever in your debt and owe you a sixer if you live in Georgia.

For extra credit (another sixer), please let me know how to drop the passenger side dash in a car without an upper glovebox! All the instructions start with removing the two screws under the upper glovebox panel...which doesn't open on my car!

 

Did you ever get an answer for the correct ribbon cable.I used the original ribbon cable in my 2012 R55 it was working greatbut I damaged it when I went back in to installed the chime unit.So now I need a new ribbon cable Did you find the cable online?

 

When I was installing aftermarket CarPlay unit on my 2013 R56 I used 50pin 0.5mm pitch FFC cable to extend connection between Boost CD radio and control panel with LCD screen.
Look on eBay - there were several sellers when I got mine.

 

Thanks for the reply. What description did you use for the cable on EBay?

 

Sorry! Brain freeze. You gave me the description.

 

I looked through my email and this is the link to buy one:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/152446030563

Select 50 pin in the order options.
I ordered 3 of them - this was enough to have a connection point for radio controls with LCD in the dashboard below toggle switches.

 

I'm getting ready to add a Kenwood double din to my 2008 R56S could I use the same ribbon and lengths
to maintain those same functions in the car.

 

Unfortunately I can't tell for sure if the 2008 and 2012 radios use the same ribbon cables. If you removed the factory radio already you can take a look at the cable, count the pins and measure the pitch. As for the length, if I remember correctly mine were 20 cm each, so I ordered 3 of them since that was more than enough to reach the bottom of the console. But you'd have to double check the length of individual cable when you order.

 

Thanks ever so much, Did you use the metra wiring harness when doing your car.
I see that they sell a axxess chime module and metra universal steering wheel control module.

 

I haven't used any of these. Since I left the factory radio as a main one I didn't need to deal with retaining chimes.
Here is the post with the description how I added a CarPlay to my MCS:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4483538

 

I have the 32 pin ribbon cable in my 2008 R56. I forgot to measure the pitch and not really sure of the exact length to order.

 

Has anyone have a photo of the CD player mounted with this mod? All i can find are photos with the headunit installed.

 

I want to do a complete install like this would you have the write up on the steps taken

 

How are yall working with your ribbon? I swapped to an android radio, and didnt know the unit was supposed to come out as one. I pulled the speedo first and saw a ribbon cable dangling. Now i need to temporarily put it back for troubleshooting purposes and the speedo is separate from the cd player. I dont see where the plastic trim comes off the speedo, whats the trick?

 

Not sure what the problem is... Could you maybe send a picture to help understand what are you having difficulty with?

 

I figured it out.

the mini radio must come out as one assembly. Speedo and cdplayer as one complete unit. Failure to do so will cause the ribbon to be yanked out. Once that happens the ribbon is faulty due to torn dog ears at the end of the ribbon. Would be nice to source a replacement ribbon it possible. Tearing down the cd player was annoying but in the end the ribbon was the learning sacrifice. It paid the ultimate price for knowlege.

 

Glad you were able to sort this out!
If I remember correctly the replacement cables that I used (mentioned at the beginning of this thread) don't have the ears and were quite hard to get perfectly centred in the connectors.
I ended up cutting a very thin strips from some packaging plastic and carefully gluing them to the back of the ribbon so the contacts are aligned properly.

 

Did you run new wires to the radio or use the existing ones.

 

In my case I needed to extend the existing ribbon to run it all the way down to the center console behind the HVAC panel, so I am able to connect radio controls if needed. So it's an existing ribbon with the new one attached to it for extension.

 

I would love to know how ptidwell wired that double radio in... I'm looking to order one of those HK enabler plugs just trying to get a little clarity
before I pull the trigger from the supplier...