Howdy. I'm not sure if this is the right place for this but here goea. I'm fairly new to Minis but I wanted to share how I was able to replace my antenna base. I bought my 06 CR/B R53 named Gadget last year and about a month later my antenna was taken off fairly forcibly.
I had searched and read all I could find about replacing it, after the dealer wanted to charge me $700 to do it. Everything I saw or heard entailed removing the headliner to get at the bolt. I have a piece right behind my sunroof and just underneath the antenna that I've been told is for the factory alarm system.
I was able to pry that off carefully with a flathead screwdriver and this is what I saw.
Upon closer n inspection and after moving the wiring out of the way I could see the nut holding the antenna on.
I was able to use a Rob Grip and break the nut loose enough that I could unscrew it with my fingers. After that I disconnected the wires fairly easily other than the fact that one of them is fairly short. After that I was able to put the new base in and reconnect the wires and finger tighten the nut back on. Once I had it finger tight I used some good needle nose pliers (don't have the 22mm socket or wrench that it takes) and tighten it down good. Here's the new nut after I got it all tightened.
Next I just stuffed the wires up into the hole and replaced the cover. And here's the finished product.
Replaced my WMW Stubby antenna and it's good to go. Thanks to this site and everyone on here who has posted info like this as it would have been a more daunting task I think if I didn't have these forums to research. Anyway I hope this helps someone else down the line. Thanks to Chris at Allmag for the replacement base. Cheers.
Glad it helps. I've learned so much by reading and watching the how-to's here I just wanted to reciprocate in hopes it'll save someone else the frustration. Cheers!
I just replaced my antenna base today after holding off on it for so long. I followed the instructions in this post as well. It wasn't too bad of a task. My R53 has the navigation system so there were some extra connections that I had to find. I was happy to see that there was a black clip that holds all of the wire connectors that connect to the antenna base to keep everything tucked neatly under the headliner.
I bought mine in August . It looked just like yours. The previous owner had the new base and stubby antenna. That's how I did mine, although I did take out the plastic surround to get more room.a 7/8 or 15/16 fits perfectly. That nut needs to be tight not to leak. Good write up.A Curtis
Weather hit 60 up in New England so while I was doing some work under the hood, I removed my car cover half way. A big gust of wind took the cover and stubby antenna with it.
It sheared off the antenna base in the same exact pattern as yours.
Thank you so much for the write-up as it will prepare me for when the new base arrives.
i appreciate you taking the time to document the procedure.
Scrounged up an antenna base at the local salvage yard. $35 it was beneficial removing from a car the had most of the roof liner down and no hatch. Took about 45 min to remove and replace the one on my mini. Ended up removing the plastic bezel around the rear pano glass.
I just replaced my antenna base today after holding off on it for so long. I followed the instructions in this post as well. It wasn't too bad of a task. My R53 has the navigation system so there were some extra connections that I had to find. I was happy to see that there was a black clip that holds all of the wire connectors that connect to the antenna base to keep everything tucked neatly under the headliner.
I have the same problem, my antenna looks just like Gadgetrunt's first picture, all smashed up. My car has also got the Navigation. I dropped the headliner a little and fished around for the wires? I saw this?
R53 Antenna with Nav
If I have the Navigation System, shouldn't that pink connection be connected to something?
I think the shark fin was a cool design. After that it never really came back for MINI until the F54 Clubman and it was not really a shark fin, but close.
The one time I use an automatic wash... ripped the stubby and the part of the housing off. Almost exactly like the OPs photo.
@ECSTuning I have the base stereo. Can I use the shark fin with it? Does it have the standard connection for the antenna and I would just not have anything to plug the GPS cable to?
I never use radio since everything is through the phone. Just don't like the idea of slapping a cover on it and leave it non functional.
Never seen anyone swap it out without that function. I know it has a connection for the aerial and then one for the actual GPS antenna. Swap it and try to get the am/fm signal.
I bought mine in August . It looked just like yours. The previous owner had the new base and stubby antenna. That's how I did mine, although I did take out the plastic surround to get more room.a 7/8 or 15/16 fits perfectly. That nut needs to be tight not to leak. Good write up.A Curtis
