I have an '03 MCS, Oct. '02 build. I have just spent the last hour installing the Aux. cable (have a nav. so I can't use the iPod adapter). When I connected everything the adapter didn't work. I look on the bottom of my stereo and low and behold, the stereo has an August '02 manufacture date. Ok, so now I'm pretty irritated at this point. Since my car is out of warranty, will MINI still provide an updated stereo for me since my car was built after 09/02, the requirement for the of the Aux. adapter? Please help! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, the write-ups on how to do this install have made the work easy. Thanks to everyone who provided info on this install.

 

I'd say you're screwed. Even if the car was under warranty, I don't see any reason why they would replace it. That's just a "feature" of the model year you have. Sorry.

 

Check the board. I've seen some 03-05 OEM head units for sale from time to time.

 

Sorry, you can't use the Aux adapter as a reason to get your radio replaced under warranty...

 

Nope. Imagine people getting "free" updates just because they missed them the year before

If you still want that AUX cable to work, you have no choice but to get a 2003 or newer head unit and have it re-programmed to work in your car.

Sorry but that's all you can do.

 

My 03 MCS was an August 02 build. I was driving it in October of 02. The Aux cable works fine for me. You might have a bad cable or something.

 

The AUX/Satellite radio support was introduced for the 2003 model year factory stereos. If his car is an official MY2002, then he needs to replace the head unit. '02's don't support AUX functionality (But ironically they have the connector in the back).

Are you sure your '03 MCS is a 8/2002 build? 2003 production began September 2002. My '02 Cooper CVT is also a 8/2002 build and the stereo does not support the AUX cable.

 

you want to pay for the update/mod from the dealer right? Can't imagine any dealer updating older technology because the person didn't do their homework.

 

My mistake. I knew it was built the 1st week of the new model year. September 02 on the plate on the doorframe.
But an October 02 build date is still after mine, and an official 03 model year car. The Aux cable should work.

 

True, but it isn't his fault his '02 stereo does not support the AUX input. It is just what was available at the time, so no much choice in that regard.

 

Yep. the AUX cable should work on any MINI factory stereo manufactured from September 2002 and on.

 

skrutzen, I think you just got really unlucky! My car was built the first week of September '02, and the aux cable works great. Sounds like they still had some older head units around for some reason when they built your car.

 

To clarify a couple of things:

My car was built 10/02. The radio was built 8/02, week 1. The instrustions that come with the Aux input say "Vehicle Production 09/2002 - On". Now this is what I'm asking, if originally, I took the car to the dealer and had them do this, what would they have done? Would they have told me, "Your car's up to date but your stereo isn't."? I don't think so, I think they would have switched radios. My car fits the criteria for being able to use the aux input but my stereo does not because my radio is about a month shy of being the proper one.

And by the way, this is not a case of me "not doing my homework", why do you think I waited 2 years to do this? Unfortunately, nowhere does it tell you other than the underside of your raidio what your manufacture date is for your radio. Seems to me that the only way to know this is by taking apart the car and getting the radio out.

Sorry about getting back to this forum so late. It was around 5am when I finished up. Needed to sleep.

 

I seriously doubt that most dealers are going to replace your radio because it's not compatible with the Aux jack.

If the instructions say builds after 9-02 and your car is a 10-02 build (not 10-02 delivery, but 10-02 build) you might have a fighting chance if the car is still in warranty.

If it's not under warranty... You may in fact be out of luck...

 

Why not use an icelink - nav does not make a difference to it
Or it is possible to use the cd cahnger input as an aux using an adaptor

 

Because then you no longer have a $40 solution that is SUPPOSED to work.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I do have one more question though:

I tried to install the aux. input to where the cd changer was connected. I put the pins in the same location on the adapter as the changer. While I was able to get sound, I was only getting the RIGHT channel but in stereo. It was really weird. I even went as far as going through the various combinations of Red, Blue, and Brown (thank God for Statistics) and every time I tested it, it was exactly the same (stereo sound, right channel only)! This was the strangest thing.

So my question is, does anyone know why exactly, this was happening? Also, is there a fix? TIA...

 

I installed my Aux cable without looking at the back of the radio (just pulled the parcel shelf down and went in from the side). I did NOT unplug anything that was previously plugged in. If you put the cable where the changer plugs in, it's in the wrong place.