Hi Everyone, just picked up a 2007 Cooper S Sidewalk Edition in British Racing Green. Loving ths car so far...I'm having a blast.

Couple of questions...

First, I'm planning on hooking up a Sirius Satellite add-on player (gotta have it---normal radio just sucks), and I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and could provide detail on how the install went. Are you using the auxillary plug in found in the glove box? Where did you install the antenna?

Second, and this isn't specific to Sidewalk Editions, but the armrest lid won't stay shut. Outside of buying an expensive aftermarket replacement, has anyone found an easy trick to get it to snap shut and stay shut?

Thanks Everyone.

- John

 

If you use the "XM Direct" receiver, and a blitz-safe adapter for the MINI (they make numerous types....makes sure you get the right one if you go this route....different models if you choose to keep the CD changer or not, etc.), you can control your satellite radio through your factory head unit. That is how I installed mine....the plus is that you get a clean, factory install at a lower price....the Minuses is that the factory radio displays a limited number of characters, so station names/song names/or sports scores can be shortened. Also you will not have access to any features beyond the song name/artist....some of the XM commanders, and sirruis receivers show extra info, like guides or what is playing on other stations. The radios in our car are sirrius compatible from the factory....the only problem is that the BMW/MINI receivers are very expensive. My set-up cost less than $100 installed, minus rebates, but now with the merger, those are gone. But the install was painless and took 15 minutes in my driveway...no tools needed. No extra displays or controls, no wire splicing, no multiple on/off switches, no FM transmitters, and it sounds great....just OEM goodness. I have a hard-top, and my antenna fit behind the regular one on the roof....I would assume you could find a suitable location easily....it is approximately 1.5 inches square, and magnetic. I have even seen them stuck to the hoods on rental cars (non-mini)...but I think you could find a better spot!!

 

Thanks for the info, ZippyNH. So where do you store your actual the actual receiver? Does it just stay in the glove box? I would prefer to use the radio to control the satelite because A.) it's a cleaner look and the limitation of characters doesn't bother me and because B.) my dash is lit in amber and can't be changed while the Sirius receiver is bright blue, so it won't match the Mini's interior.

I'm hoping the folks at Best Buy can install this. I'm ancy about it though.

Thanks,

- John

 

Could be a poorly fit lid....Still under warranty - I would ask the dealer to look/replace it.

 

I'll bring that up when I take it in for the next service. Good idea. I've heard that this is a common problem with this particular arm rest, so maybe Mini will have some in stock or will have a fix for it.

 

Re: #2
My armrest was constantly sliding open, so I attached some hook-&-loop tape to the lid.

I put the soft loop side on one of the rails that the lid slides over & attached the hook side to the lid.

When the armrest is closed, you can't see the tape & the lid stays shut. It also slides open with no problems.

I hope that helps.

 

Good info, Not4no1. I'll give that a try if they won't fix this under warranty. However, I'm not really getting a good mental picture of what you're actually doing. Do you happen to have some pics of what you did to fix it?

Thanks,

- John

 

I found a pic of the armrest online & put green stripes where I have my loop tape. The hook side of the tape can't be seen in this picture because the lid is open.

I hope that makes more sence.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking this won't work on my armrest because the lid doesn't tilt up, it only slides back and forth on the rails, so I don't know how I would get the tape to the top section of the armest lid.

Thanks anyway for the suggestion. Maybe I'm mistaken...I'll give it another look this evening.

 

Now it looks like XM sells a kit with the blitz-safe for 299.00...but doing a quick search, you can assemble the same kit for a bit less. (you can save $40 on the reciever at amazon alone).

The actual receiver plugs into the CD changer harness....in the hard tops, it is located in the passenger site trunk, side compartment. Since the space is actually located in the side/rear fender....I'd assume that it is in the same location.
The XM direct is the XM generic radio for OEM installs...Best-Buy,etc used to sell them....might still...they used to be about the size of a hardcover book....newer ones are now about half that size.
What you do is install the Blitz-safe unit into the cars cd harness, in the trunk area, then plug the receiver into the Blitz-safe, then if you have the cd changer, the changer also get plugged into the blitz-safe, run the antenna wire.....I easily ran mine under the trim, and out a grommet below to the 3rd brake light...your car will be different....but I'm sure just as easy, than simply activate with XM/Sirius. All done. The radio will now, when you push mode, have Sirius as an option, and cd, and if you have the CD changer, the changer!!
If didn't have a cd changer installed......and don't plan on getting an I-pod adapter..this is the model...

http://blitzsafe.com/catalog/bmw/bmw.../prod_139.html

Product Information
This XM Direct interface will allow you to add an XM tuner (Model# XMD-1000) in place of the factory Sirius adapter, so you can listen to XM stations through your factory radio. You will also be able to view and control your XM stations right from your factory radio just as if it were the factory Sirius tuner.

Interface: Skylink Direct
Product Code: 764244-12226

If you want to keep the cd changer I-pod, etc jack....About $20 more...BUT IF I REMEMBER RIGHT>>>THE AUX PLUGS INTO THE UNIT>>>.....in the trunk.....BMW/MINI does sell a long cable to run through the cabin to connect the I-pod adapter in the trunk, but mount it in the front.
Product Information
This XM Direct interface will allow you to add an XM tuner (Model# XMD-1000) in place of the factory Sirius adapter, so you can listen to XM stations through your factory radio. You will also be able to view and control your XM stations right from your factory radio just as if it were the factory Sirius tuner. This adapter will also allow you to either retain your factory CD changer or add one of our iPod, Auxiliary, or aftermaket CD changer adapters.


Prices have gone up since the Sirius merger....my blitz-safe box and receiver were about $75..(2 almost 3 years ago)...so they are going for $200 now..ouch...(Directly from Blitz-safe) but i bet that they are cheaper on the open market...
XMDirect XMD1000 Satellite Radio Universal Tuner Box

Amazon has them for 69.99 new.

The XM direct..
http://www.xmradio.com/xm-direct/index.xmc
Combine the XMDirect Factory Kit and a compatible Factory Installed car stereo:

BMW/Mini Cooper Vehicle Kit Includes (BMWXMD100)

• XMDirect Universal Tuner Box
• XMDirect BMW/Mini Adapter Cable - Compatible with select BMW and Mini Cooper vehicles**

** Vehicle Kits and installation sold separate and only available through your local car dealer. Consult your dealer for more information.



[IMG]
XMDirect® Factory Vehicle Kit Visit your local car dealer
[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]MSRP:[/FONT] $299.99 Plus Installation Kit and installation sold separately and only available through your local car dealer. Consult your dealer for more information.




Looks like if you buy them separately you save $40.00+, just on the tuner.....I did not search for the Blitz-safe...I bet it can be had for 70% of what the manufacture is asking!!

Good luck!! Any questions...just ask....I think this was a pretty popular thing to install on MINI's before the I-POD craze. For that reason, I would get the Bltiz-safe that allows you to keep the aux plug.
One caveat that I remember....
The procedure for installing the AUX MIGHT have included unplugging the CD changer plug on the back of the radio...so make sure it i plugged in, then you are good to go!!

 

Wow Zippy...thanks for the info. You've clearly got this thing figured out. The only issue I'm having is that I don't have a cd changer. So that leaves either an FM Modulation type setup with the Receiver expose and used for changing the channels, or I would need to plug into the head unit via the auxillary plug in (found in the glove box), or maybe there's a separate plug in behind the actual head unit.

Either way, I'm sure something can be figured out and I can have good radio again...


Thanks again,

- John

 

NOPE...you are in luck!!! ALL MINI's are pre-wired...in the us market...for the CD changer!!! So you just use the wiring!! I don't have it either!!
The above set up will work fine!!

 

So that's what that Blitz box is I have behind my rear hatch panel...... I don't have XM Radio though. Maybe the prev owner did and forgot to take this out......So Tim, all I need to do is buy a 100 dollar Sat Receiver and subscribe and I'm all set ?

 

Awesome! I'm going to print this thread when I take the Mini in to have the work done.

 

Check the model number....some just provide a line level input, some do i-pods. If your model is either of the two model pictured above, or there is one other one, YES!!!!
I've done it.....back before the info was wide spread...so I know most of this stuff cause I found the info after doing long hard searches....I can walk ya through it!!
Just go to the Bltiz-safe website...amd look up you model...and see which you have!!
Amazon has the radios for 69.00, with the antenna....then just subscribe, and your are good to go if you have the right model!!

 

I have had two armrests now, both OEM, supplied under warranty and both slide open, it's your arm, the connection is not great.

 

I know we have somewhat divergent topics here, but reguarding the Blitzsafe adapters, there seems to be three compatible versions: SLD-00, SLD-01, SLD-03. If I don't have the changer, or any kind of ipod/aux-in setup, can I use any of these versions (let's say I find an SLD-03 cheap on fleabay), or do I HAVE TO use the SLD-00? I'm very glad to see that this is easier than I expected! Another question: It looks pretty tight with the hatch open... If the antenna is mounted aft of the FM antenna, doesn't the hatch hit the XM antenna when it opens? Also, no affiliation--I guess just a well-placed random plug, but I found this: http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=267
EDIT: One more thing, I contacted the seller about this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=280415674164, and the (honest--to his credit) reply was that this WILL NOT work like the others. I guess it's only for an aux-in setup. ...Just figured I'd try and save this dude from numerous hits, as the price is good.

 

I think you can use any of them that according to the blitz-safe website supports the items you want!! No reason to spend $$$ on the SLD-003 that keeps an I-pod adaptor and cd player if you don't have either, and don't plan on getting either. Perhaps if the price differance is small, getting the better model is good for future proofing, but not needed.

 

I'd bet that euro auto place is selling you the blitz-safe, and tuner from above. 175 is not a bad price.....now that there are no longer rebates since the merger, it might be tuff to do better from one place.

 

I had a local electronics shop (that I use quite often, so I trust these guys) install a Sirius Sportster 5 in the Mini this past Sept. ($50 for install) and they put the antenna on the dash, in the very centre, right up against the windshield. The reception is as good as my factory unit in my Pacifica, no static, no cutting out. They said at the shop, that they have been installing the antennas that way on 90% of the vehicles, with no issues. It's a much better way to go, the wires are hidden behind the dash and no disk stuck on your roof or trunk.

 

I really like this idea. Those antennas are known to corrode from rain and having the antenna in the car would prevent that corrosion. Great idea.

 

Yeah John, I'm really pleased, I figured I was going to be stuck with the antenna and a piece of wire outside the car somewhere. Andrew (the owner of the shop) has been doing car electronics for 20 yrs, so he knows all the tricks. It was very easy to tuck the wires behind the dash, put a small piece of velco on the antenna and that was it. Clean looking, in fact it even looks like it belongs on the dash. Like I said, reception is clear as a bell, even in my garage. I've only lost reception in the same places I would lose it in my Pacifica (underground parking, etc)

 

I briefly had a setup like this in my '90 Miata. In that car, I had a Sirius Starmate 4/"Replay" aux'ed into my Nakamichi head unit. It also--like in the MINI--looked like the antenna was just born to live on the top, forward, center of the dash.

But...in this case, my reception told me otherwise. I really don't know why; it was a simple safety-glass windshield (no metal-film defroster layer, and...other than the wiper blades...no obstructed view of the sky), and there was no hardtop on the car. But, whatever...I painstakingly rerouted the antenna, just so it could live 3 inches away, in the same relative spot, but outside the windshield. (I mounted it in the center of the plastic cowl panel, between the wipers.) The improvement in reception was dramatic! Again, I'm not sure why, but I do live in a mountainous area with a lot of known-drop out spots (no different w/ cell phones--not that I would know )...and maybe in my tough-reception area, this was just enough to make the difference. YMMV.

Along those lines, I'm wondering if newer, more modern XM antennas, available today, are any better than the one included in the, now technically outdated, XMD1000 kit...?

I'm also wondering if it would be practical (assuming it's possible) to go through the relative extra effort of hiding the XM antenna inside the base of the stock FM antenna...?

BTW, I just remembered this is Cabrio-Talk... While the Miata I was referring to is obviously a convertible, the relevence to this thread is admittedly purely coincidental. My '05 MCS is a coupe, so any info I get would need to pertain to such. I couldn't find the same info in the Coupe sub-forum, so pardon the non-cabrio queries.

 

[quote=johnshumpert;2967114]Good info, Not4no1. I'll give that a try if they won't fix this under warranty.
I just had mine replaced under warranty. I was told it's common problem.

 

Hey Kemo, do you happen to have a pic of where you've mounted the antenna?

Thanks,
- John