Am new to this site and a new MCS owner ( pepper white, checkered flag roof). I got the car a couple of weeks ago and changed the head unit this week. I went with a Clarion DXZ845MC for a few reasons.

a. it has satellite radio ( which i need in Dayton, radio is awful here).
b. black trim and chrome knob integrates nicely, looks very stock
c. great mandarin coloured illumination that matches the interior lighting perfectly ( which was VERY hard to find).
d. sounds great and has numerous abilities to expand later....ie...tv tuner, aux input etc.

i just wanted to pass this along in case others wanted more refined sound without giving up the looks of the current IP.

Welcome to NAM, lapex! How was the improvement from the new head unit on the stock speakers?

Did you need ant special add on's or extra's to install? Any pics of the install?

i actually had the unit installed by a local car audio place, but it was pretty straightforward. i am new and not sure how to add a pic to my message. i can email it if you would like.

Do you have the steering wheel radio controls? If so does the Clarion work with them?

lapex, is your car a 2003 or 2004? If either one would you be interested in selling your original head unit? :smile:

going to answer a few questions and once. new head unit sounds great, better highs, clearer lows. i had it installed with a SWIX unit to keep usage of the steering wheel mounted controls, works great. i would gladly sell you my old unit and the speakers too, make me a reasonable offer and pay shipping and they are yours....my mini is a 2004.

lapex:
Are you interested in selling your original 04 Mini HU?