Hi,

I have a cooper 2006 s conv with both NAV and the HK eight speaker sound option. I think that paying the dealer several hundred dollars to install a CD Changer is a rip off. Does anyone know which changer I need to buy to work with my mini.

Thanks

 

The installation of the BMW CD changer is really easy. Just bolt the thing in and connect the wiring which is already there (just under the HK amp behind the panel on the right side of the trunk). You can buy the changer from Crutchfield for $350. Ask the dealer how much they charge for the changer without installation and see if it's cheaper (probably not though).

If you want something better, you can go with a Kenwood or Sony CD changer. They have MP3 disk playback as well. You will need a converter to do this however, but those are available at www.newministuff.com I'll have my Sony 6 disk MP3 player installed by the end of the week. I'll let you know how it works out.

Chris

 

Please let me know how the Sony changer is and if you full funtionality on the steering wheel. Having 6 disks of MP3 just sounds beyong cool to me.

Craig

 

From what I understand the Factory Changer can read MP3 Disks. Could be wrong though, as I have been wrong in the past!

I pesronally want the auto manufacturers to include a USB 2.0 port on factory receivers. No need for CD chagers, simply plug in a USB flash drive! Take the drive with you from car to car...

 

Well, after two screw-ups by the post office, I finally have the Connects2 adaptor that allowed me to hook up my 6 disk MP3 Sony changer to the MINI stereo system. I haven't physically mounted the changer in yet, so it only took me 30 seconds to wire up! Right now it works great. I can change the tracks using the steering wheel controls and disks using the 1-6 buttons.

The only drawback that I could find is it needs to scan all the disks when inserting the magazine. This means if you start playing right away, it can't scan them. The result is after you turn off the stereo, it will resume scanning and loose your place in the track it was playing. No big deal, just let it scan for a minute after inserting the magazine.

Considering the adaptor only cost me $130 after shipping and import fees, and I already had the changer, it was well worth it. If the BMW changer can indeed play MP3s, then it would probably be the best way to go as the cost of the changer and adaptor would be about the same. But if it doesn't play MP3s, then don't bother.

Chris