I was looking into buying a Mini and the one I checked out today had the Nav option. I turned off the stereo but noticed the Nav would still give directions through the speakers. So would it be ok to replace the factory stereo head unit without affecting the Nav?

 

It won't disable the Nav, but the Nav does connect to the HU to mute the stereo when the Nav is giving directions.

 

Hmm, so what do you reckon happens to the speakers? Does it just mix in with the music being played by the aftermarket stereo, or would the two signals overload/blowout the speakers?

 

You will lose voice if you switch. I believe that Mikey at newministuff has an adapter to get around this.

 

Not sure. newministuff.com may have an adapter depending on what HU you get. You are definitely not the first to do it. More than likely you would just not get audible directions.
What's the goal with a new HU?

 

Here is what you will need if you switch the HU...

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...ductshow&id=51

As I said, you will lose voice.

 

Ah thanks guys! I'm partial to a particular head unit, which I have in both of my current cars, because it does everything: USB input, AVI playback, DVD, Bluetooth, Dolby Surround, etc. The ability to change the stereo (and the less cartoonish interior) is the big selling point for me over the R56, but I'm still having a tough time deciding which gen I want to get. The other thing I'm trying to balance out is which one has less problems (ever since I read about the cold start issue with the R56 MCS'), and I'm sort of under the impression the 2006 MCS' had the least, mechanically.