Hi-fi upgrade in F56 Mini - is it possible?

[thenortherner]

I'm about to purchase a 2016 Mini Cooper S with only the basic 'radio boost' setup, i.e. the most basic of setups, with no large LCD screen, and I think only 4 speakers (2x door and 2x rear passenger?).

I'm not too bothered about the asthetics but I'm keen on decent sound. The basic setup is pretty awful. Would it be possible to stick some under-seat subs, upgrade the speakers and install an amplifier using the existing screen?

Here's what it looks like:

https://www.minif56.com/threads/experience-retrofi...

Thanks in advance.

[Caddyshack]

thenortherner said:

I'm about to purchase a 2016 Mini Cooper S with only the basic 'radio boost' setup, i.e. the most basic of setups, with no large LCD screen, and I think only 4 speakers (2x door and 2x rear passenger?).

I'm not too bothered about the asthetics but I'm keen on decent sound. The basic setup is pretty awful. Would it be possible to stick some under-seat subs, upgrade the speakers and install an amplifier using the existing screen?

Here's what it looks like:

https://www.minif56.com/threads/experience-retrofi...

Thanks in advance.

I would guess it has aux out and could run an amp off that.

Back in the day you could use amps with normal high level speaker outputs so I am sure it will be possible.

It might have an amp with fibre optics which can complicate things.


A good stereo shop could sort it.

[thenortherner]

Thank you.

There's some photos of the back of the unit here, if that helps to identify if it has aux. out?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284909726436

[StescoG66]

There is a great thread on here with details on a cracking install in a MINI..

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[thenortherner]

StescoG66 said:

There is a great thread on here with details on a cracking install in a MINI..

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Looks an awesome setup but that car has the 'visual boost' stereo setup, basically the next model up from mine. I don't know if this gives a larger screen only but the stereo hardware actually remains as per the base model

[Bungleaio]

thenortherner said:

StescoG66 said:

There is a great thread on here with details on a cracking install in a MINI..

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Looks an awesome setup but that car has the 'visual boost' stereo setup, basically the next model up from mine. I don't know if this gives a larger screen only but the stereo hardware actually remains as per the base model

Thats my install in the thread linked. More details here - https://www.minif56.com/threads/full-audison-insta...

For your head unit you're probably best off installing one of these - https://scpautomotive.co.uk/products/mini-f-series...

This has RCA outputs so you can link it to a traditional amp rather than the fancy DSP audision one that I used. You can then connect to whichever speakers you wanted to. The audison ones fit straight into where the mini ones do but bavsound and focal do some to I believe.