Hi all, I just bought a CPO 2010 Cooper S over the weekend. In the listing they noted the car as having satellite radio prep done, which to me means that the car has the wiring in place.

But when I search the web, all I've been able to find is a post on this board detailing how to install one of the kits (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-mcs-r56.html)

Is that what the stock unit looks like? I was hoping for something integrated into the radio itself that doesn't take up the Aux port.

 

I just looked into this myself as I have a 2010 without the Sat Radio, but has the pre-wiring. Apparently MINI recently stopped making the retrofit kit and you need to buy the items in pieces. It's rather expensive, running close to $600 or so in parts, then labor and the re-flash and you total bill comes to around $1,000. If you find anything out that integrated into the head unit and cheaper, I'd be interested to try it out.

 

Well that stinks. I could probably wire everything up myself, but the re-flash would be the hard part. TBH I'm kind of surprised to hear that I would need to flash the radio firmware, it sounds to me like it should be plug and play.

to expand on this, does anyone know how to flash the radio?

 

I think the re-flash is to enable the sat radio in the head unit. From what I remember, just the module was $500+. Might be worth looking around or calling some local dealers to see what can be done. The upside to the cost is that 1 yr of sat radio is included, which would be something around $200.

 

Flashing is not really the appropriate term here (flashing would be more appropriate to updating the software)...Coding would be more accurate. But I digress.

Once you add the satellite tuner module under the right-hand seat the headunit needs to be coded to enable the SDARS receiver (basically showing the menu option, I agree it should be plug and play!).

Now you need to be careful, depending on your vehicle and options it has, you may have to reconfigure the MOST fiber optic bus. My car had the prep, but the dealer must have made some changes that took the sat out of the fiber loop to add the diagnostic connector.

You can do the coding yourself with NCS Expert and a specific cable, cheaper option. You can also do the retrofit coding with a J2534 pass through tool and MINITECHINFO.COM subscription using ISTA/P. Go to the Electrical modifications section to learn more.

There are slightly cheaper used sat tuners available on car-part.com.

 

Read up on the NCS expert, and it actually sounds pretty simple. I think I'm going to do a bit more research into that option.

Would doing that void my warranty though? (part of the reason I went with the one I went with)

BTW who started calling it coding? All you're really doing is editing a CSV config file.

 

Wouldn't invalidate the warranty. Coding is BMW's term for it.

 

I just got an email back from my local dealership and they said that sat radio is a factory item that they can't install and doing anything like that to the radio would invalidate my warranty on the radio...

That sucks...

 

I don't know if kits are still available but you are looking for MINI part # 65 11 0 432 322 SIRIUS RETROFIT KIT. This kit should include the latest version of Sirius reciever, bracket, Multifunction box and cover, various fasteners, MOST connections. Trickiest part for DIY is the MOST bus configuration to make it work. It does have to be coded and the vehicle will also get the latest programming updates as well.
Contact another dealer or MINI USA as this installation should not void the factory warranty if done at MINI dealer. Parts would also be covered by standard MINI 2 year parts warranty.

 

Thanks for the info, I contacted Mini USA and another dealer in my area.
And now that you've provided the part number I found this topic: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-oem-kit.html

Which tells me EXACTLY what I wanted to know. Now I just need to find a dealer that will sell me the kit and/or flash the radio, since I would much rather install it myself.