11 replies to this topic

[faceman]

Hello folks, I'm about to take my Mini Seven across to France and have decided to install a new radio. The one I have installed (came with the car when I purchased it) frequently skips and forgets CDs are inserted. I'm very tempted to go for something that includes a USB socket and/or DAB.

 

If I was to go for one of these, would they work with the Mini? Is it something that I could install myself or does it need a specialist? Any special gear?

 

http://www.halfords....r-and-bluetooth

http://www.halfords....car-stereo#tab2

 

Any recommendations on particular stereos too?

 

Thanks very much :)

 

[KernowCooper]

Either would do and yes its a job you can do yourself, steer clear of halfrauds they wiring trainer needs lessons himself the rubbish I have removed, buy the model you fancy and you may need a conversion cable ISO to Standard wiring I doubt you have a ISO connector on your loom? Shout back I'll help you wire it up, Halfords will fit for free on some headunits I suppose as you already have a unit. its a small quick job, bare in mind your current speakers may not be rated high enough to get the best out of the new radio, their 4x50w RMS but you can run one only on 2 speakers

Edited by KernowCooper, 21 June 2015 - 09:38 PM.

[RooBoonix]

Be careful of the depth too, if you're thinking of mounting it in your dash. I had to get a mechless radio as any other was too deep and hit my bulkhead

[ChopperHarris]

You wont get UK DAB in France
Ditto what roo said, put a mechless in my min today...JVC 44 euros and its got all the knobs and functions

Edited by ChopperHarris, 21 June 2015 - 10:28 PM.

[faceman]

Great thanks very much guys. Going to drop by Halfords later to get the radio removal tools and do some measuring. How do I know if I have an ISO connector? If not, where I can  buy the conversion cable?

[KernowCooper]

Halfrauds would have the conversion cable, 100% sure you wont have one

[rodandtom]

Be careful of the depth too, if you're thinking of mounting it in your dash. I had to get a mechless radio as any other was too deep and hit my bulkhead

What do you mean mechless?

[ChopperHarris]

no moving parts, completely digital and radio

[RooBoonix]

no moving parts, completely digital and radio

This, so no CD player meaning there is no need for the depth of a CD player inside the headunit. I think mine is only 12cm deep whereas the average headunit is around 16cm

[Ben_O]

this is an ISO connector

 

http://www.lightinth...CFWnJtAodUuAKhw

[bob540]

I got a deckless bluetooth unit from aldi a while back for less than 50 and It's brilliant! Get in the car and press play on the stereo and it starts streaming music from my phone over bluetooth, no wires, don't even have to take the phone out of my pocket. Plus no more worries about answering the phone while driving. Wasn't really expecting it to be amazing considering the price but it's been very impressive.

[ChopperHarris]

I took mine apart, it could have been 4cm deep! Most of the depth is for coax plug and USB/card reader