This post has some great pictures detailing the installation of an amp and a compact sub under the seats. I'd like to do this, also, because I don't want to sacrafice any of the little cargo space there is.

Unfortunately, the pics show a 2003 MC, and I have a 2006 MCS, so there appear to be some differences. Examining the under-seat area, I found that the surface is "sunken" or depressed an inch or so below the surrounding border and is not all the same height as shown the pictures of the 2003 MC. I assume this is simply I minor difference in the shape of the foam used and that one could rip it out just the same.

What is discouraging is the design of the seat frame. There is a bar that runs along the width of the seat that seems to hang low. Do the seats in the MCS have the same frame as the MC? In other words, would this particular MC have the same low-hanging bar? The position of this piece seems likely to interfere with anything installed under the seat if the seat was slid back. But, if the MC had it, then I can assume it wasn't an issue.

Thanks for any input. I'm just planning my upgrades and want to get it right on the first try.

 

The pictures seem to show a dual speaker installation under the seats. Are there two woofers? Another consideration is enclosure space for the low frequency sound waves - the space under the seats does not seem to be sufficient for an enclosure (even a custom-built enclosure). Alpine is starting to release a "compact" sub (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...hp?model=PLT-5) that was designed for the space behind the seats in a standard (non-extended) cab pick-up truck. A compact sub might be a better solution.

 

That would be my MC.

Not sure if or how the cavity under the seats has changed in the recent models. In my car, when you lift up the carpet and remove the styrofoam inserts, you ended up with a cavity that was 16.5"x10.5", and the depth varied from 1.5" to 2.75" depending on where in the cavity you were measuring.

But I would say that if you can install an amp or compact sub so that it doesn't come any higher than the normal height of the carpet, then the low hanging bar shouldn't matter. If what you're installing protrudes higher than the carpet, then you best be careful that the seat mechanisms don't get hung up when the seat is slid forward and back.

caminifan - there is only one sub in the pictures (under the passenger seat), and it's self-contained so it needs no enclosure space. The cavity under the driver's seat contains two Blaupunkt T-class amps.

 

I was inspecting under there as well. You have at most 2 1/16th inches clearance under the bar to the top of the carpet. That would leave roughly 4-5 inches if you trimmed the carpet open and placed the amp inside the on the floor.

Im new to the forums but if you search there are several articles on sounds systems for our Minis. Good luck

 

http://www2.bugs78.ca:8830/photo/gar...iS/ampinstall/

Under the seat is TONS of room

so much so, im looking at a shallow sub for the other seat

 

I'm planning on adding a subwoofer myself. The problem would be to figure out the best possible place rather than dumping it in the trunk in a box double the size.

I was looking at some possible areas:

1)


2)


3)



The last one seems to be the best spot; all of these locations need a sub at 3" thick...then all i have to figure out is, which sub performes best (considering that it's thin) and what kind of amp should i be looking for...

Giancarlo

 

Oh god I saw these pioneer subs, and they were 2.5" thick, never heard a better tone in subs, not bumping, but real bass tone.

 

where the heck is that tool kit located?

You have a regular Cooper? or is this a new addition for newer cars?

 

...It's a Cooper (non S) and the tool kit is situated in the trunk, under the carpet.