http://www.crutchfield.com/S-wSbjuxj...IALP&s=0&cc=01

This is the mfsw interface sold by PAC through Crutchfield and others. It is a hard wire connection which does not use ir. It is compatible with the Alpine CDA 9851,53,55, and the new CDA 9857 which I am thinking about getting.

Has anyone fitted the PAC SWI-ALP in their Minis with any of those units? I have been advised that it is difficult to install. Were there any issues fitting or difficulty using the mfsw afterwords?

 

Anyone? Or is that what I get for posting at midnite?

 

Off topic, but the OEM MINI/BMW Sirius Receiver is made by Alpine. If you can wire it, I'd bet the models above would work.

 

Hi, I own an audio shop in va. I have installed a couple. It just plugs in to the alpine unit through 1/8th inch jack, red wire goes to 12 switched ign, black to ground. yellow signal wire goes to the red /white/with yellow dots wire at steering colum. you just cut the wire at colum crimp off the non steering wheel side. and connect the wheel side to your yellow adapter wire. done. To test you red white with yellow dots wire, you can use your ohm meter. just ground one of the probes take the other one and probe your wire, while doing this push buttons on your steering wheel. the ohm reading will change while you hold the button down. Hope this helps.

 

hugh, sorry I cannot be of any help to you, but would be interested in how this goes for you. You can be the trail blazer for the rest of us

 

I just installed the 9856 in mine and I was struggling with connection cause I dont have a mini jack in the back of the HU. I'm going to contact Crutchfield and ask for help with install.

 

I just got off the phone with a tech from Crutchield and they told me that the 9856 wasn't compatible with the PAC-ALP switch so they will change send me another HU,a 9857.

 

Thanks a million Rox

If I lived anywhere near VA, I'd drive down in a New York minute to have you do the job. Two shops up here, one of them Alpine authorized, flat out refused to install the PAC because they're afraid of cutting the wrong wire and screwing up something like the diagnostics or messng with the steering column and disabling the airbags. ($$$ lawsuit). Now I can show them your instructions and they'll go ahead and do it. Thanks again.

HEY FIX8--Yes, the 9857 is worth $150 more to me for the hardwire connection to the mfsw. I've heard that the PAC-SWIX (which you'd need for the 9856) with its IR setup can be unreliable in convertables and even sunroofed cars.

Of course, on the 9857, the $29 iPod cable is included, so it's really only $120 more, and it does have a better, more readable display. That's why I opted for the 9857 over the 9856.

I just hope the Alpine iPod cable gives better audio than the MINI aux input.

Are you going with only the head unit at this time or are your doing speakers and amp too? I'm going to see how the 9857 does with the stock speakers. If I'm not happy, I've got my eye on the spx137r or spx177r. I heard them both being driven by the 9857, and they sound beautiful.

ps: Velvet Red...I am sooooooo jealous...or is that Chili Red?

 

I replace all the speakers with Kickers 6 1/2 for the front and MB Quart 6x9 for the rears, and a Audiobahn 6004T 4 channel it sounds good but it seems to me that it bottom's out, needs adjustment on the gain. I also have a Audiobahn 4002T 2 channel for the subs, when I figure out where to place it.

 

I am an authorized alpine dealer. I've been for 12 years.
the 9857 a great unit, and it has better control over your ipod. then the 9856. You will love it if your an ipod guy. As far as the install, there is nothing unusual about it.
Hope this helps both of you.
Shaun

 

Thanks Rox.. 1 more Q... Does the pac-alp red connection be a switch power? I hate tapping into anything that deals with the ignition.

 

The term switched ignition is kind of a loss term. Your just tapping power that is turned off by the key. The wire at the radio that is controled by the key is actaully an "accessory wire". It is fused seperatly from the cars ign.
I hope this helps.
Thanks, Shaun

 

I finally figured out the MSFW controller and it's great with the 9857.

 

i have noticed that i'm not the only one interested in the 9857. Glad to hear it will hard wire to the mfsw. I will be adding the 9857 as soon as i get my MCS JCW.

One question for rox (it's probably a stupid question just cuz i don't have the car yet): isn't the cruise control on the steering wheel as well. Will this be affected by cutting into the wires? I only ask this because you said something about crimping off the wires on the non steering wheel side.

Thanks

 

OK, I need help with this. I too was looking at the Alpine 9856. I'm not currently into the i-Pod "thing", so the 9857 with the free connector doesn't sell me.( Is there another reason to consider it?) I know the PAC SWI situation would be one reason, but ( this question could go to ROX) Alpine makes plug and play adapters fpr the MINI/Alpine connection. They are the KCE 861B for the 40 pin connector and the KCE 864B for the 17 pin connector. Alpine's chart said that both the 17 and 40 pin were used and you would have to see what you had. Now the question...these are available on the Alpine/Europe website. Why not in North America? Can't you just buy these off a co.uk site dealer? Alpines site leads me believe there is none of this hunting, cutting, splicing thing to be done.

 

After I'd posted I went back and checked. It does appear that New MINI stuff uses the Alpine adapter as part of their adapter.

 

good news indeed. We've got an '06 on the way and would like to integrate the MFSW and iPod.

rox - where are you in VA and what shop??