I am looking at doing a modest upgrade of my audio system for my 2007 Cabriolet. I have the stock system with stereo controls on the steering wheel.

Based on a not as thorough as absolutely necessary review of this forum, the best "bang for the buck" would be a speaker upgrade, focusing first on the fronts and then the rears. This would also allow me to keep my steering wheel controls.

Key assumptions:
- the stock speakers are very cheap (both from the forum and my own experience)
- Most 6 and 1/2 - 6 and 3/4 speakers should fit the front. That would be the first speakers to replace. My understanding is there are quite a few "good" speakers for $50 - $100. To maximize the response quality from the underpowered stock receiver, I would go speakers that have maximum sensitivity (ie. 92dB)
- Next would be the tweeters in the front and then the rears.
- I would be doing the work myself. The major challenges would be taking off the door panels and drilling new mounting holes.
- I don't need to install a crossover

Do these assumptions make sense??

 

This was posted in the forum thread, the mods will likely move it. No harm done tho Convertibles are still considered 1st generation MINIs until the 2008 redesign. (think it's 2008, could be 09)

TO answer your question... your assumptions do make a bit of sense, yes . However, I'd recommend that you change the amp in the future, if you are ok with that. Simply because the signal that will be coming out of the amp to your after market speakers, likely, isn't clean... and you may not get the best results..

I've heard MINIs (like your r52) that have had the stock speakers changed for aftermarket, and left the stock amp, and still had issues with distortion and less than quality sound.

However, every person's hearing (and wallet) are subjective.

 

From my understanding, you will need to install the crossover as the factory speakers than a filter built in.

You didn't mention H/K or non, I'm assuming non. You will need 4-ohm speakers (i.e. not the infinitys I wanted)

I haven't found answers regarding front speaker mounting depths, you will likely need to use some type of spacer (I don't know where to get these).

I would definately go with components such as Boston Accoustics S60 or others for the front, and 3-ways for the back. Through ebay your total can be as low as $200 for decent stuff.