I replaced my stock antenna with a stubby from CravenSpeed.
Unfortunately, the AM reception is degraded significantly with the shorter antenna, which makes sense.
Are there any alternatives between the four-inch stubby and the long stock antenna? I see lots of cars with eight or nine-inch antennas, which should offer better AM reception. Question is - would any of them fit?

 

I replaced mine with a VW antenna that screwed right into the base. 3 different lengths. 6" and no issues with AM reception. Try a VW parts guy as they are more plentiful. Mine was concept1 in Calgary.

 

I saw someone put a Honda s2000 antenna on theirs so that one might fit as well.

 

ebay antenna for like $9 free shipping from china 1.25" inch or something like that. Radio sounds fine and it was cheapest i found.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5-Black-Short-Stubby-Aerial-Antenna-Mast-fit-most-Mini-/231017496030?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACooper&hash=item35c9b73dde&vxp=mtr
i think that's exact one I bought (check if fits, but I think it was that one)

 

VWs have lots of different antennas. Which VW model antenna fits the MINI base?

I think the S2000 antenna was a match for the first gen MINIs (smaller diameter socket), but not the R56's larger receiver. I could be wrong.

AM reception needs "length" - that ultra-short stubby would be even worse than a 4-inch shorty.

 

I got the CravenSpeed Stubby, here in the greater Seattle area no loss of power... but I listen solely to FM.

 

The Mini Cooper uses the rear window for FM antenna. The stubby will only affect AM reception.

 

is there anything like a screw on plug for the antenna base?

 

That's something I would like to find. I may have to troll the hardware aisle at Home Depot to see if there's something that will fit. It could be painted black to match.

 

Please post if you find it! I don't know what kind of repercussions having a metal piece there would be, so maybe plastic/nylon etc may be an option

 

The antenna is only for A.M.??

 

I have the CravenSpeed and FM reception degraded. However, it is only noticeable on certain stations and in areas where the signal is already marginal.

There is about a 2 mile stretch on my commute during which I'd get static on certain stations with the stock antenna. With the CravenSpeed, the reception drops out completely. If your station reception is normally strong, the stubby antenna will likely have little negative effect and you'd never know.

 

My CS stubby works fine, but then again, I have never tried to listen to an AM station.

 

You mean to get rid of the antenna or the base? I saw a few tiny stubby antennae that were around 1.5 inches on ebay. Pretty much gets rid of it but the base will still be there.

If you mean a screw on plug to remove the antenna base altogether then I don't know.

 

yeah just a plug in. don't need AM, FM reception is good without the antenna, and I use a car cover regularly. No big deal though, I just screw the antenna off when i put the cover on lol

 

That's why I installed the stubby. It fits the antennae pocket on my cover.

 

:( my cheapo cover doesn't have one. which cover did you go with? if oem, is it a soft material on the inside of the cover?

 

I have the Alta Super Shorty and have no problems with FM or AM.

 

This is the one I have. I bought from a member on the forum. So far seems to be a good quality cover and it has a small pocket that my Cravenspeed stubby works perfectly with. It's a tight fit so you don't have to worry about wind. Although it's listed as indoor and outdoor, I use it primarily in my storage building to protect it from dust, birds, etc.