LOL - actually PGT did in post #7... but it was in Spanish.

Update: I just got back from MoS... all of the wiring parts are in! The tech has a couple of small jobs to take care of first, then he's bringing my car inside to start deciphering the wiring maze! WOOHOO - finally some real progress!

Hopefully I'll have more interesting updates during this week and next... unfortunately, no work will happen on the car on Wednesday night, because of July 4... but at least we're moving ahead.

Oh, and what a coincidence... it was Monday, April 2 when I dropped off the car... now it's Monday, July 2. Exactly 3 months, to the day.

Good Luck and Godspeed to your car's rehabilitation.

...but will she remember you?

Glad it's progressing finally... I was beginning to wonder if you'd have to settle for this:

YEAAAAA I have missed MR. OEM so much! Just not the same seeing you in so many other cars! Can't wait till you have your baby back

is Mr. OEM a she

LOL, Mr. OEM is most definitely a he... as Jeremy pointed out - Mr, not Miss or Mrs. ROFL!Maybe I should start singing the Chili's Baby Back Ribs song...

"I want my baby back, baby back, baby back, baby back, baby back..."

I'm so tempted to drive out there tonight again to see what happened, but it's only been one night... so I think I'll wait another couple of days. I definitely need to check it out by this weekend, regardless!

good luck with the reassembly of your MINI. When they do get it back together, you should probably check to make sure that they don't have any "extra" parts leftover.

Remember, it was also me that told you to buy another MINI, and name her 'Mrs. Aftermarket' so Mr. OEM and have a girlfriend

A she only if it squats to pee - then it may only have gender identity issues. Trannycar... hehehehe Wait.. doesn't my dog squat when he pees?

Update: I just got off the phone with the service manager at MoS. He wanted to touch base with me on the status.

Last night, the tech took all of the harness stuff out, laid it out in my car on top of the existing harness, and ensured that all of the correct connectors were there to replace the old one. The word is - it's a go! The tech is satisfied that the harness will do the job just fine.

The other reason for the call was to give me a heads up on the cost of the entire job, because this is the "make or break" point where I can still back out. They are really going to try their best to give me their best pricing on the job (both parts and labor), and after of the communications I've had with various players, I am confident that is true. The pricing they warned me of so far does not include any of the discounts... but it was enough to make me say an expletive or two!

Needless to say, don't anybody (and I mean anybody) even bother asking me what the cost is (now or when it's done) because I'm not going to tell you. I really am crazy... I gave the go-ahead though.

Note to others who are even remotely considering the conversion on their own MINI, in the same manner... (you listening, Feedback?) don't bother, unless you are truly prepared to dump some serious cash into it. Even then, good luck trying to find another dealer to take on the project, because I don't think MINI of Sterling will do it again!

Looking back, ordering the $500 H/K was the most expensive mistake I ever made!

Awesome!

At the time you ordered the car it WAS the best factory OEM stereo you could get. So you enjoy music and you're Mr. OEM - do what makes you happy - people have spent far worse amount on illegal substances and have nothing to show for it. Life is too short to worry about the should've would've could haves - do what it takes to make yourself happy and forget about what everyone else thinks.

Weren't you going to install front and rear OEM cameras? If you haven't done them yet, NOW is an opportunity while the interior is apart and it is easy to run the harnesses. Unless you're saving it for a special day with another loaner car in the future.

Well, there's still the fact that you could have done the install much less expensively, if prepared to splice the H/K wiring ...

And I'm thinking you've got a bigger bill than my total for the Alpine HU, DPSM and custom subwoofer enclosure in GPMINI! Sorry it's gone so un-smoothly for you

Thanks for your kind words, Krut... it will take a little while for the sting of the cost to wear off, but once I have it, it won't be taken away from me! I'll feel better when I've paid it off (going on the MINI credit card, unfortunately... at least it's only 10% interest, not like many other cards that are much higher (I don't consider "trial" rates to count).I already have the rear camera installed, and I want the front one, but it's becoming extremely difficult to get ahold of - Mike at NewMINIStuff has had my open order for one since late September! (yes, 2006!) Apparently the parts simply haven't been "released" from the source. It's still listed on the website though, so I'm hopeful that it will eventually show up.Yes, but that's just it, I want it done the "official" way, no warranty headaches. Especially if this will be covered by the extended warranty, which I'm considering getting (dependent on what is, and what is not, covered).Very likely true, especially since you did your own labor. That alone changes the equation enormously. Mind you, I don't want an aftermarket HU, and I don't want a sub box to take up additional interior space. The key here is "stealth" install with no compromises! (from my viewpoint, anyway)

Okay, so YES you are nuts but I've been following this just to see whether or not you got a resolution in the end, because it speaks VOLUMES for your dealership's service department! Anyplace else probably would have taken one look at the intricacy and said "HECKKK NO".

Glad it's working out for you

Well, it helps to be one of their biggest MINI customers (at least for a single car), both in terms of the original sale and the ongoing work afterwards! Thanks! I plan on stopping by the dealership again on Tuesday evening, so I will probably have another update after I get home then.

Hey H....you better tell me or I'm gonna cut off your phone next time I'm there....ha I can even have your FFX phone cut off....I'd love to hear it next time I'm over working the phones which I figure won't be too far off....

LOL... after tomorrow evening, I won't care if you cut it off - my desk is moving to Jermantown Road as of Thursday morning. Different building, different phone number.

Once I finally get Mr. OEM back, I'll be very happy to give you a demo.

H-

My phone skills can and will reach FFX.....I'll stop by on Monday just to show you how good I am.....I wouldn't give your new # out to too many people

LOL.

Anyway, back to the car...

It turns out I have to work back a bit later tonight, so I don't know exactly when I'll make it out to the dealer to check on the car... but the tech will be there all night, so no rush.

Interesting side note - the latest MotoringFile & White Roof Radio news item on their Tour of Plant Oxford includes a very telling picture & caption which demonstrates how complex and specific the wiring harness is to each car - which is why this project has taken on a life of its own...

Take a look -> harnesses

They are screwing with us. That is nothing more than the laundry for the facility!!!

Update: Well, I finally made it out to MoS very late at night (after a 14.5 hour workday - blech)...

Holy crap. Right now the tech is busy methodically disconnecting and removing the old harness from my car. There is so much stuff that it connects to - from the Xenon headlights at the front all the way to the rear fog light & PDC at the back... it's nuts! My car is literally in pieces (including both front and rear bumpers removed).

I only ended up taking one new picture, to illustrate the kind of thing still to be dealt with once the old harness is removed:



Mr. OEM's new body harness, before installation. (click the picture for a much larger version)

And that doesn't include the separate audio harness that goes in after it!

I did ask the tech in a non-pressuring manner how much longer he thinks it will take... 2 or 3 weeks? "Oh, I don't think it will take that long." Whew. Of course, project completion also means dealing with the bill.

Maybe I ought to consider taking a second job to help recover from this... "Do you want fries with that?" :impatient

OHHHHFFFFF!!! I immediately dug out my rosary and started a bunch of Hail Mary's - that looks challenging! I sincerely hope all goes well. Although ripping out a wiring harness is something the techs have done before so I'm sure you're in good hands. I bet you're up and motoring by next week?