I am fully aware that virtually everyone on this forum has more technical knowledge in their little finger than I ever will have in my head. So I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question.

According to the dealership, my 2004 mini amplifier for the harmon kardon system is apparently sending an intermittent signal, and the dealer says it needs to be replaced for $1150. It just won't happen at anywhere near that price. Meanwhile, I am subjected to varying tones blasting through the system every few minutes, even if the radio is turned off. Every few days the radio works for about a minute.

I was told the amplifier replacement part was $961. I discovered my dealership charges about a 300% markup on parts as I've gone through too many run flats to count and finally found the same online.

So how do I find out exactly what part I need for the amp replacement, so I can attempt to find another for less?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

The problem is that the H/K amp is only available from MINI. RealOEM will show you the part info:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=65&fg=25

Sadly a number of these amplifiers have failed for various owners. You're not still in your 4 year 50K warranty?

 

Someone on the Market (for sale) Forum was selling a takeout H/K awhile ago.
You could just pull the fuse for now.

 

I have owned 2 H/K equipped R53 and have not experienced an amplifier failure to date.

Could be that excessive volume listening levels shorten its lifespan?

 

Josh had issues with his H/K in the cold - maybe in Florida that's not a problem

 

Thanks for all the input, it is a big help. In case anyone was wondering, here's some answers:

no, unfortunately, my 4 yr 50K warranty is up.
no, I don't listen at high volumes. Ever!
I contacted the person selling the amp, but it's been sold. But I really appreciate the tip!
Now that I know I can only get it at Mini, I guess I can feel better knowing I'm not being taken. But it will need to be fixed, sooner or later.

Does anyone know how much it would cost to get a less expensive system installed? $1150 is so much for me right now -

Thanks,
Lara

 

Depends how low cost you want to go, what you might be prepared to listen to, and whether you'll later want to spend more $$$.

You could have someone link out the H/K amp and let the stock stereo direct drive the speaker positions - then get some low cost speakers to replace the H/K ones (the stock unit can't drive the H/K speakers).

If you know a friendly installer person, you might be able to get back to sound for maybe $200-$300. It won't be the same quality or volume that the H/K offers, but it'll be something.

 

Thanks! I am trying to sell the car this month or next, so I guess no amp is not the way I should go. I don't know an installer I trust, and don't know a think about amps or speakers, so I'm in a bad position. I'm also pretty worried about a total replacement system, and making sure it's installed properly without damage to the door panels, etc, and how that will sell to a prospective buyer. I'll continue looking for a replacement h/k amp, I guess.

 

We (the MINI community) need to find someone to repair these defective H/K amps. My audio visual repair place can't/won't, but I have to believe that there is someone out there that can/will.

 

Here, here! I will try, and relay any info I can to the boards. Looks like we have the same car!

 

I'd love to get hold of a failed H/K amp, just to give it a quick overview ... but of course warranty ones get kept by MINI

 

Well, then. If I don't find someone to repair it, I will send you mine when I get a used or new one. What use do I have for it?

 

laradams: If you do find someone to repair a failed H/K amp, that is information that you need to share with all of us.

 

Absolutely. I found some sites online, but have to look into it a little bit more this weekend.

 

Well, now I've done it. I was so excited to see a cooper h/k amp on ebay that I neglected to check if the 2003 system was compatible with the 2004 cooper. The OEM site shows a different number. Does anyone know if these are compatible?

 

They should all be interchangeable.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...07&hg=65&fg=25

 

Update - I "won" an amp on ebay. It stayed on my opening bid for 4 days at $99, then doubled with an hour to go and increased to $395 (w/shipping) in the last 30 sec. Let's hope it works...

Next I will check the area to see if I can find someone willing to attempt a repair. If so, I'll post who and where. If not, it's coming your way, GBmini!

Thanks all for the help.

 

GBmini - do you still want a look at my failed amp? I installed an older replacement amp, and I just don't want the hassle of finding a repairman for the old one. I really don't want to sink more money into it. I can send it your way...
Lara

 

If you're planning to trash it, I'd be interested to look it over - probably no way to figure what's failed, but worth a try ... I'll PM my address

 

Hey Guys and Gals,
My Hk Amp failed also. I was able to trace it down to a failed amp internally. I was able to source out the chip even
http://www.st.com/stonline/products/...utinf003.shtml

scroll over the audio amp box.


Its one of these three chips. but in order to get any of them theres a minimum of 30 each.

Any way, i wanted to know if anyone else has a bad amp i could try and rummage for parts. PM if anyone has anything


See you at the Dragon!
Mike

 

Yeah, the H/K amps do go bad from time to time, whether it's static or the speakers just don't work. I have a spare amp on hand that I use for diagnosis, it's got a bit of static.

 

My amp is malfunctioning and I'm under my cpo warranty with the mini next program. Is it covered under warranty?

 

I don't think the stereo is covered in MINI NEXT.

Under "what's left for you" (ie: not covered), it says radio/cd and components of those systems - the amp would be a component of radio/cd.