Finally got around to it. A couple of pics. Bought it on eba.. took me almost 3 hours with some writeup found elsewhere in the forum. Came out pretty decent, I think. Sorry for the poor quality but took the pics with the ipad and the camera is not very good.

 

It looks great! Good work!

 

Really Nice Job!!! Any chance you could share the links you used...both on the Ebay product you purchased and from the Forum links you used for guidance? I just might take that project on!!

 

Alamlave,

Any chance of sharing your process??? I have the Homelink I bought off of Ebay and want to do exactly what you have done.

TIA

 

Sorry it took so long to get back guys.
Well let me start with the fact that I don't have any other pictures of the install other that the ones you see on the first post. I do however have the links to the info I used to do the install.
There are 2 links, one is of the complete install but on a R53, the other one is a guy that describes how he did his Valentine One hardwire install (you can use this procedure since its done on a newer car.)

http://r53minicooper.wordpress.com/2...-less-than-20/
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ew-mirror.html

After you read both of them a couple of times, you will have an idea of what you need to do and were to hook up for power.

After I got everything apart like in the Valentine install, I cut away a piece of the black trim piece(the one you see after you take the gray one out)right in the center roughly the size of the homelink part. I did this because I attached the homelink to the gray piece very much like the write up of the R53 install, and then when you put everything back together you will want the homelink box to pass through the black piece.

I used a drill bit to make four holes big enough so the homelink buttons and the light went through but the ones on each side need to be big enough so the tabs that hold the homelink trim piece to the homelink box go through too. These are the tabs that were melted on the R53 writeup( at first I did not want to use the melting procedure but ended doing it because its the most secure way to attach it)

Another thing is when everything was done I noticed that the rubber buttons were not long enough to activate the transmitter effectively (the gray trim piece is thicker than is looks) so I used a hot glue gun to glue some little plastic pieces that I cut from the scrap material that was left over from the black trim piece that was cut first.

The cables I used were the ones I had for the hardwire kit that came with my radar. Used the purple cable for power.

I'm sorry if this doesn't come accross well, it is difficult to explain it without pics, plus probably my english its not that good.

Keep asking questions, I'll be glad to help.

 

Hey,

Thanks so much for the Valentine link... I needed to know which wires to use for the power. That is perfect. Now just need to mod the assembly like you did. You Homelink looks great!

Thanks again!!!!

 

Definately don't want to much the assembly up as to replace it is $200 - not good

 

muck, not much - my bad!

 

Yeah, I was pretty nervous with cutting those parts. Start cutting a little bit at a time and keep using the homelink black box as a template. This why it took me so long.

 

I don't suppose there are options for my R57?

 

Jorn, unfortunately I haven't seen an R57's interior. You just need a flat overhead trim piece and look underneath it to see if the transmitter would fit under it. Hope it works for you.

 

Wow that looks great! Wanted the garage door opener on my clubby, but the required auto dim mirror, etc. Meant spending 600 bucks to get it. Was thinking I would just install my own home link mirror later. What's the home link part you used called?

 

SCMountaineer,

Just do a search on Ebay for 'homelink' and it will bring up many hits. Look for one that has the same three button setup or there are many other styles to choose from, the three button seems to be the best for my clubman. I got one for about $15. Plan on getting the Dremel out this long weekend and putting mine in...

 

When you do the search on eBay be sure to get the newer home link transmitter that has rolling code. Be sure that it says "rolling code" on the description otherwise it won't work with newer garage door openers.

 

My DIY garage door opener. Since I owned the opener it cost about six cents and took three minutes. I used hook & loop to mount the opener on the LH side, inside of the center console. It's easily reachable, hidden, and easy to remove if I need to.

 

brilliant idea - definitely going to have to try this out once mine arrives (maybe tomorrow?)

 

nice work.
I too have to agree that the slimmer 3 button, non-illuminated Homelink device you installed (as opposed to the larger device from https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4587425 ) looks like it matches the Mini interior nicer. a MINImalistic look.
Nuts, as I have two BMW e53 Homelink devices at my disposal now, but now I don't want those installed .