Hello all!!
On November 2nd, I got my first car, a 2003 mini cooper r50. Been saving up since I was 10, and 7 years later, I finally have one.

I would like to do some QOL modifications to this car, so this may not be the last time you will see me on this forum. As a start though, I would like a backup camera. I would like something that doesn't obstruct the speedo. Any recommendations, and how would I go about wiring one? I have absolutely no experience doing any wiring (unless you count getting the eeprom off of the original Xbox, which was a fun one!)

I think it would be a fun project, and a good starter-mod. Let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you!
- Zander

 

Hi Zander - welcome to the forum and congratulations on following through all those years to your goal!

There are going to be a lot of been-there-done-that threads here (and in other Mini forums) covering full stereo installations. Search those out and study them before you tackle your radio upgrade project. Searching enthusiast forums is a great way to get ideas for how to proceed.

Some important things to consider:

• Are you starting with a completely Base audio system in your Mini (not Harman Kardon)? Whether your Mini has an up-level sound system with an amplifier extrernal to the factory radio (*edit to add: In a Cabrio,* the H-K amp is under the passenger seat) will factor into what wiring adapters for the radio you may need.
• IF you are starting with a Base audio system - you may want to take the opportunity to upgrade the speakers, too.
• DO NOT cut off factory connectors! There are adapters to connect the new radio to the existing vehicle connectors. You'll need an adapter for the antenna connection, too. If you replace the speakers, find adapters that let you plug into the factory speaker connectors, too, if you will re-use the factory speaker wiring. There are adapter plates to allow fitting aftermarket speakers, too (to avoid cutting the car).
• There were a limited selection of single-DIN headunits that offered a video input to be displayed, too - that could be a good option for adding the backup camera.
• AVOID DRILLING HOLES in the body whenever possible.
• I used a license-plate mount backup camera on my 350Z that worked out nicely. I tucked the bracket behind the plate, and the camera hooks over the top - it's a clean look and puts the camera in a good location.
• 
• An inexpensive distance-based backup warning system may be an option, too. It doesn't provide the camera view, but it works well. You would need to drill into the bumper cover for the sensors, though...or you could find a salvage bumper with them factory-installed.
• An example of what I did to fix the radio/speaker wiring of my daughters R52S after we got it is here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1-working.html

These are just some things to consider. Welcome to your Mini, good luck and enjoy!

 

One more item: DO document your solutions and share it here for the next person struggling with your same situation. Closing out the thread shows respect/appreciation to those that helped answer your questions, and its good to pay-it-forward as it continues to add to the value of these forums for enthusiasts. And, you may find yourself going back to some of your old posts in the coming years and it will be neat to see how far your knowledge has come!

 

Thank you!

I do plan on upgrading the speakers, but money is of course a limiting factor, so headunit would probably be first.

Also, I do have the base system (it would say HK somewhere if I did, right?

 

I'm still fairly new to Minis, but yeah, from my understanding it would say Harman Kardon on the outer ring of the front speaker grills.

 

If your fabrication/modification skills are good another option would be to install a double DIN unit and move the HVAC and switch panels lower.

There are a few threads on how to do this with pics of the finished results here and on other MINI forums. Some downsides are the inner dash frame and down tubes need to be cut/modified which might prevent easily going back to a stock configuration, the almost useless cuplholders will now be completely useless for cups and bottles, and you might not like the look or having to reach further down to use the switches.

This thread doesn’t have much info on the DIY part, but has some good pics of the end result: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-install.html



Just a clarification for any future readers of this thread, for a 1st gen the HK amp is under the seat in a cabrio and is behind the passenger side panel/cubby in the cargo area of a hatch.

 

Im not opposed to doing a double din unit, but fabrication is not a skill of mine. Also, though unusable as it is, having access to the cupholders are a must for me. I think single din floating units (or flip out headunits)would be the best option. Is there a thread of pictures of headunits? It's kind of difficult to search through all of them, one by one. (I know, first world problems.), but having a thread of all of them would be excellent!