R50 stereo upgrade question

[silverback mike]

Hi all. Bought a nice little R50 convertible for my daughter which she loves. As all 18 year olds, she looked at the cassette player and 6cd multi changer as if it was the devil’s creation……so, is there an upgrade. The aperture looks a little large for a generic Bluetooth stereo so presume it would have to be a factory fit job?

Any pointers folks!

[E-bmw]

No, it doesn't need to be factory fit, a standard stereo fits just fine, mine is a Kenwood BT/CD/DAB which cost around £120 IIRC.

[Dave.]

As above, but you'll need one of these to go with it....

http://caraudiosecurity.com/ct24bm03-bmw-mini-2001...


And one of these if you want FM radio.... (Might not be this exact one, it's been a while.)

http://caraudiosecurity.com/ct27aa01-iso-to-din-ae...


And one of these.... (There are two types for the R50/R53 minis depending on year, they're available cheaper elsewhere, just buy both types to avoid teenage angst

http://caraudiosecurity.com/fitting-accessories_st...

Edited by Dave. on Thursday 25th November 08:48

[silverback mike]

Thanks chaps

[chandrew]

I fitted a Pure Highway 600, cost about £50 in UK money and gives DAB, bluetooth audio and hands-free calls. The best for me is that it means that the head unit is authentic (I have a HK in my R53)

[silverback mike]

chandrew said:

I fitted a Pure Highway 600, cost about £50 in UK money and gives DAB, bluetooth audio and hands-free calls. The best for me is that it means that the head unit is authentic (I have a HK in my R53)

That looks ideal, forgive me for being a technophobe but does it connect to all speakers and good sound? Or is it out of one speaker, the unit itself? Thanks and sorry for being rather dense!!

[E-bmw]

silverback mike said:

chandrew said:

I fitted a Pure Highway 600, cost about £50 in UK money and gives DAB, bluetooth audio and hands-free calls. The best for me is that it means that the head unit is authentic (I have a HK in my R53)

That looks ideal, forgive me for being a technophobe but does it connect to all speakers and good sound? Or is it out of one speaker, the unit itself? Thanks and sorry for being rather dense!!

It is effectively an AUX input to the head unit, so does everything the stereo does, through the stereo, I had one on a Mazda 2 a few years ago.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Theres cheaper versions of the Pure Highway - a mate got one for his R52 and it played havoc with the electrics. Removed it and everything fine again!

HK audio is a little different - the loom you need is a £100+ part as well as the new head unit itself. Non-HK is just a £15 loom and a head unit of your choosing. I've got a Pioneer in mine (can't remember the model) but it wasn't expensive and has BT audio/calls, DAB etc - everything I need.

[E-bmw]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Theres cheaper versions of the Pure Highway - a mate got one for his R52 and it played havoc with the electrics. Removed it and everything fine again!

HK audio is a little different - the loom you need is a £100+ part as well as the new head unit itself. Non-HK is just a £15 loom and a head unit of your choosing. I've got a Pioneer in mine (can't remember the model) but it wasn't expensive and has BT audio/calls, DAB etc - everything I need.

The pure highway doesn't really plug into the electrics, it is just an aux input on a stereo mini-jack plug.

[chandrew]

E-bmw said:

silverback mike said:

chandrew said:

I fitted a Pure Highway 600, cost about £50 in UK money and gives DAB, bluetooth audio and hands-free calls. The best for me is that it means that the head unit is authentic (I have a HK in my R53)

That looks ideal, forgive me for being a technophobe but does it connect to all speakers and good sound? Or is it out of one speaker, the unit itself? Thanks and sorry for being rather dense!!

It is effectively an AUX input to the head unit, so does everything the stereo does, through the stereo, I had one on a Mazda 2 a few years ago.

It should be an AUX in, but I learnt that I didn't have the socket wired up. I had the old 16 pin iPod connection in the glove box. I tried getting a 16 pin to lightning connector but that didn't work. I'm therefore using the FM broadcasting option on a channel with no local radio station (Switzerland switches off next year). It's not perfect and I'll probably get a AUX-IN sorted when I have time but the current solution works.

Fitting the Highway was a 20 minute job and the cables all go under the covers on the A pillar and head-lining.

Sound quality is 'OK', pretty much how FM radio sounds. I'm sure if it was AUX-IN it would be much better. The Mini's HK stereo is surprisingly good given the age.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

E-bmw said:

The pure highway doesn't really plug into the electrics, it is just an aux input on a stereo mini-jack plug.

I know - it was more of a warning of the cheapo versions that definitely did make my mates electrics go bonkers.

[E-bmw]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

E-bmw said:

The pure highway doesn't really plug into the electrics, it is just an aux input on a stereo mini-jack plug.

I know - it was more of a warning of the cheapo versions that definitely did make my mates electrics go bonkers.

Pure don't do cheapo, for sure.

[silverback mike]

Got one thanks chaps. Went for the alpine unit. Managed to get one on special offer. Many thanks all!!