z-flip head unit installation

[Borvad]

Following on from original post to query if this could be done, and hearing comments basically advising me not to........me and my 'audio' buddy have decided what the heck, and gone for it anyway.

Started Phase 1 today............

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo12_zps73c692a7.jpg

back seats removed to allow feed of the sub and amp wiring



http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo11_zps192194fe.jpg

start of the removal of the speedo



http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo13_zps9a91c764.jpg

speedo and surrounding trim removal



http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo14_zpsa878c54e.jpg

original radio gone and speedo gone bye-bye for now



Phase 2 to be completed all going well tomorrow but the bluetooth and sat nav wiring is in.

My thoughts so far? As much as I love the radio I'm putting in that I've had in several of my cars, then when the sad day comes that the Mini moves to pastures new then the radio will definately go with it.
Hopefully that will be a long long way away yet for the 'go-kart'

[Craig]

Very brave man ! Looking forward to seeing the finished product ;)

[Gismo]

Very brave man ! Looking forward to seeing the finished product ;)What he says

[Borvad]

No wonder I heard stories of quotes of £100's for labour alone!


Worth it when you have an 'audio' pal who will only charge cups of tea and for giving him a challenge.

[lamdacore]

WOW that looks like alot of work....

[Borvad]

COMPLETED!!

Phase 2 today.


http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo11_zps8fd9b6cf.jpg

Heres the radio, figuring out at this stage where to put the wires.


http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo12_zps38152cb2.jpg



To say I'm not too happy with the adapted fascia panel which cost me around £140 would be an understatement. There wasn't enough room in the gap for a standard radio, so we had to adapt it with a power sander here :

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo13_zpsd5ba5546.jpg


As a result at the moment the finished product isnt aesthetically pleasing, you can see the radio cage and also the gap under the radio now has a temporary fix to it until we figure out what can be done on a more permanent basis.

It's certainly taken the 'gloss' off a good weekends work.

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo14_zpsa7121058.jpg


View of the cage here :

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo15_zps3c38bd06.jpg


......and again here :

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo16_zps8af5a430.jpg


View through from the boot :

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/photo17_zps7d4f72da.jpg



I'm in two minds whether to message the company who sent me the adapted fascia panel, first because of the hassle it gave us to make a STANDARD radio fit, and secondly they sent the wrong adapter to enable the incorporation of the steering wheel controls.

On the plus side, I now have a hands free kit and mp3/usb radio.
Still to complete the installation of the subs and amps to the boot, and the drives for the sat-nav.
At least the main job is done.



Dave

[Craig]

Kudos for the fitment ;)

[MINIme:)]

crikey those first two pictures made me very nervous!

[ELFMAN]

Things I'd never even attempt in a MINI No. 247: Audio Bravery!
I've had to have a lie down after looking at this thread :thud: It's why I like exhausts and things without the wire spaghetti :thumbs up: :smilewinkgrin:

[Borvad]

Heres a small video clip, I doubt you would hear the sound difference compare to normal.


http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/th_IMG_0435_zpsce8f2955.jpg (http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z414/PropriusEmendo/IMG_0435_zpsce8f2955.mp4)

[The Dogfather]

So you've lost all the info from the centre console display?

Very brave to attempt this but personally I'd cut your losses stick the original head unit back in and live with the poor sound as you'll never get the car looking right, that head unit looks totally out of place in the car. BTW if you can't put it back to the way it was you've wiped a grand of the value of your car, at least.

[Borvad]

So you've lost all the info from the centre console display?

Very brave to attempt this but personally I'd cut your losses stick the original head unit back in and live with the poor sound as you'll never get the car looking right, that head unit looks totally out of place in the car. BTW if you can't put it back to the way it was you've wiped a grand of the value of your car, at least.


The only info lost is the readouts from the radio stations and the clock.
I appreciate negative comments but I'm sure theres a rule of 'each to their own'.

You may not like it but I'm sure theres lots out there that do, and as for it looking out of place in the car, the screen folds down and slides back so can be a standard normal looking radio if need be.....and for wiping a grand of the car, I'm pretty sure thats a slight exaggeration.....so again, the 'each to their own' rule.

[The Dogfather]

There are ways and means to include a touchscreen and satnav into a car with a OEM system, the simplest is to use an iPad mini or similar small tablet in a floor mount via an Aux in (which the MINI has). You can then improve the sound via amps and speakers.

This way looks totally standard and it adds rather than detracting value.

BTW that grand is a conservative estimate. If by 'each to their own' means I've knackered my car then yeah, each to their own.

[Big Col]

BIG MASSIVE PENDULOUS BRASS SPUDS! Kudos to you mate and to h£ll with the nay sayers. :thumbs up: <kicks VB's high horse out from under him> :p

[Gismo]

Well, I admire you for taking you car to bits to change the dreadful existing stereo, but, the many negative comments regarding the facia clearly showed how bad it is.
I know i wouldn't be happy that the carrier is clearly shown through that facia and it'll be interesting to see how you tidy that up :idunno:

Can the screen get any closer to the speedo when the display is up? it seems to stick way out and i wonder if you can actually see it properly when driving

[Borvad]

Well, I admire you for taking you car to bits to change the dreadful existing stereo, but, the many negative comments regarding the facia clearly showed how bad it is.
I know i wouldn't be happy that the carrier is clearly shown through that facia and it'll be interesting to see how you tidy that up :idunno:

Can the screen get any closer to the speedo when the display is up? it seems to stick way out and i wonder if you can actually see it properly when driving

We are on it at the moment, think we have found a fascia intended for a VW or a Skoda that seems to the same shape. Fingers crossed.

As for the screen? Yeah I fiddled it last night and got it closer to the speedo and more of a friendly angle. I'd take a picture but I'm home in the dark and it doesnt come out that well.

[Gismo]

We are on it at the moment, think we have found a fascia intended for a VW or a Skoda that seems to the same shape. Fingers crossed.

As for the screen? Yeah I fiddled it last night and got it closer to the speedo and more of a friendly angle. I'd take a picture but I'm home in the dark and it doesnt come out that well.Good stuff and good luck :thumbs up:

[gauldrymini]

...big:thumbs up:for this...I would be as much use as a chocolate fire-guard if I undertook the task on hand.

[mikeythemini]

From the facias I have seen I think you should have mounted the stereo in the dash (did the facia come with a metal bracket?)
Then put the facia on & leave off the trim ring - no cage needed.