I can't believe the iPod mini hasn't popped up in this thread yet!

 

On the topic of Mac Minis in MINIs - I'm sure some of you have seen this but i thought i would post it anyway. It's in a GTI but the concept remains the same. I am amazed at the quality of install craftsmanship.

http://tunertricks.com/blog/index.php?p=40

 

I can certainly understand the appeal of the ipod. I bought an ipod mini for my wife last year and I've toyed with it from time to time. She uses an itrip mini in the car. She loves it. Then again, she loves not having to tinker with things. Me, on the other hand....

I have some other priorities in a car. I don't want expensive devices (or store-bought CDs) laying around the interior or being subjected to extreme thermal cycles. I don't want to have to take my eyes off the road or my hands off the wheel. Sound quality is a low priority in any small car...you can only enjoy audiophile quality music when the car is sitting in the driveway.

So what I prefer is MP3 CDs. Storage was only an issue when I thought I wanted my whole music collection in the car with me. I have a double-sided visor holder with a 12 disk capacity and I never touch 11 of those disks. I do listen to a lot of music, but from one week to the next, I want different albums at my disposal. I typically burn one CD a week with whatever interests me and I throw away the last week's CD. CD-Rs were available for free after rebate for a while and I seriously have a stockpile of them in my basement and garage. Until I can afford my mini, I will still use a Kenwood head unit with a steering wheel remote. Of course the original poster of this thread has an MP3 ready factory stereo and hopefully a MFSW. Now, you can always put an ipod interface into your Mini for MFSW use, but you still can't leave your ipod in the car.

 

Here is one in MINI though not as clean an install as the GTI.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=44297

Cheers,
Keith

 

Leave your CDs home..Like AJ Foyt said; "If you have time to listen to CDs, your not driving fast enough." or was that..Gauges ?

 

anyone know the best place to store my 8-tracks?

 

CD changer in the boot works fine for me

 

Let me guess - classic Mini owner?

 

Wow, I had no idea this thread would get so many replies so quickly!

Well, an iPod is out of the question, for now.... And by that I mean any mp3 player. Needless expense right now.

The Euro parcel shelf that rests underneath the steering wheel - is that big enough to fit a cd or two? I think I saw someone mentioning that. I'm thinking of getting one of those installed, but I was not sure on the actual amount of storage that is afforded by the shelf.

Thanks so much for all the replies; looks like I have some good cd storage ideas now!

 

The mesh behind the passenger seat holds mine,and the space between the posts under the the dash holds the playing one fine.

 

iPod, Sirius and the changer help to keep loose CDs in check. Loose ones as well as CDs for the Nav system have a perfect spot in the lower part of the glovebox thanks to the organizer I got from Outmotoring. A standard-issue zippered CD 'wallet' fits the space perfectly and holds at least 40 of 'em.

 

There is actually quite a lot of space on the Parcel shelf. You could easily have 3 CDs across, maybe 4, even if you don't want to stack them. Here is a pic I took just after I installed mine.

 

You won't regret it! It's a "must have".

 

Best solution is a Phatnoise Box with a 20GB cartridge that will hold about 400 cd @ ripped at 192KB which is CD quality, Thats what I put in my car with a Clarion powered sub under the driver seat to add a little punch to the HK system. This integrates into the MFSW and uses Voice technology to announce name of artist, play list and album.

 

DIY: How to fit factory alloy pedals to older models

 

Maybe when the rubber actually wears out. So...about another 6 months.

 

I had the MINI hardcase accordion CD holder. Held a whole lot of CDs and fit perfectrly in the glovebox organizer, but after awhile I needed two.

Three months after I bought Bloo year my wife purchased a Nike MP3 player and that was kind of nice. Held about 36 - 40 CD quality songs, played throught the aux port ($40 and easy to install). Never thought 36 songs could sound so monatonous.

Got a 30 gig iPod for my B-day in February and I haven't touched a CD in my car since. The iPod plugs up to the aux port and I have a car cord to charge it with. I know MINI has an iPod adapter but its $150 and I already have the aux plug. I guess I'm also a bit cheap, huh?

 

Slender CD wallet. Easily fits between the right side drivers seat and the mid section. Can't even tell it's there.

 

A visor CD holder with a couple of CD's worth of MP3's.
And jewel cases rattling around in the door

 

CD wallet between the pillars. Only need a couple with about 150 mp3's per CD.

 

Yes, and the PT Cruiser is a worthy alternative to the MINI.

 

... When you've got Opie and Anthony on XM Satellite radio! I guess that does require the XM Direct adapter.

 

I'm not an iPod guy, but between an mp3 CD head unit and a 6 disc mp3 CD changer, I have access to over 1000 songs at any one time.

But for those occasional disc changes, I have a visor holder that holds 20 CDs. I know you said you don't care for them, but I hardly notice it when I'm not taking/replacing a disc in it.

 

Well guys, I broke down and bought an iPod.

So now I have to go ahead and buy the aux-input for my MINI and I'll be all set. Just wanted to update!

 

Does a phatbox designed for a BMW work or do you need an adaptor?