R53 .. Almost every channel has static on it. How can I chase down what could be causing this issue? I have heard the antenna could be in the window. Also heard some cars have 'antenna amplifiers' - where is that? If the antenna is in the window, then what's on the roof?

As a thought - would switching out to another radio give me bluetooth (hands free) ability?

 

I changed to a JVC / Kenwood KMM-X50BT head unit. Has all the bluetooth bells and whistles, two USB inputs including one on a cable that you can hide in the glovebox plus a 3.5mm minijack in. No CD player but I haven't used CDs for years.

I also got a fascia / adapter kit from eBay so it all fits nicely into the hole in the dash and there is no messing about with wiring. Only thing I haven't been able to do is get the MFSW to work with either of the ones I have tried.

James

 

Mfsw?

 

multi
function
steering
wheel


the buttons on the steering wheel. I believe there is a third party interface available. Try Crutchfield

 

Multi function steering wheel controls

 

Oh .. yeah, I don't have that. I have a basic steering wheel. Can you hook an aftermarket radio (with bluetooth) to the in-car mic?

 

There is no in-car mic, but you can add one while you install your aftermarket radio.

 

According to responses, my R53 has the mic built into the headliner. Also has the motion detector in the back.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...questions.html

Maybe that's just the cover for it and there's nothing in there - I haven't opened it. If it's empty, how would one run the wiring for it?

I heard some cars have 'antenna amplifiers' - where is that? If the antenna is in the window, then what's on the roof?

 

The 2005+2006 cars have a mic in the headliner in the front under the cover...
It was pointed so it would work for left or right hand drive cars....
So it was less than ideal...just like on gen2 cars, folks had to reposition it to make it usable...
Not really worth the effort if you go aftermarket IMO.
You have the 2 spoke steering wheel from the early cars with the mfsw controls?
The 3 spoke became STD in 2005/6 and the controls were moved to buttons on the front...more self explanatory for most...the sfsw controls are often unused on older cars for years....
A simple adaptor box let's the volume and station +/- controls plug into most any aftermarket head...pretty common stuff for most stereo shops, even bestbuy level places.
If the adapter fails to work, then the clock spring...the wiring from the steering wheel to the shaft is usually bad...happens from lots of turns... Clock springs do fatigue.
The 2005/6 cars got 2 antennas... One in the glass, one on the roof...diversity...amp was (I think) in the driver side rear wall by the rear seats...uses power INJECTED by the stock radio up the antenna cable..very common...that's why you need a powered anteana adaptor to change the antenna plug on the back of the radio if you go aftermarket....been said before....pretty basic stuff..most stereo shops know and can order the right stuff.

 

Mine is a 3 spoke steering wheel, no bluetooth controls. Zippy, I just want a radio that actually works and be able to use the phone through the car. Would a bluetooth radio work? If so, how would I connect it to the mic .. or put a new mic in.

Is the stereo swap simple enough that I can do it? Where do the antenna cables route?

 

Me..I would just get a aftermarket radio with built in Bluetooth... They usually include a mic to put someplace....trying to use 10+ yearold OEM non STD items like Bluetooth mics IMO is an exercise in frustration...
To have to the buttons on the steering wheel work like the stock, the aftermarket unit will need adaptor boxes, and you will need the mentioned powered BMW/mini anteana adaptor...you could locate the mic in the overhead, or anyplace that seems too work...
Do you have a stock antenna on the roof or a shorty...I simply stuck with the stock one, and had a Bluetooth earpiece....
If ypu live in an urban/suburban areas the shorty ones worked for many, but I live about 45-50 miles from most of the FM stations...so the stock is what I stuck with...it is pretty tall, but might be a simple fix to your issues...radio could be junk I guess...
If the stock radio works....that a $20 input jack kit (nice to have with the oem radio) and a $15 Bluetooth kit gives you all you want..streaming from your phone, a clear radio, and depending on where you place the little Bluetooth box, might give you good enough mic to talk...
Just options....depends on the $$$$ or the $ you want to spend.

 

I don't think I'm so much worried about the buttons on the wheel (I don't have them now and it's probably a pita to add them).

I can answer the phone on the phone. I just want to be able to hear and talk through the car.

Roof antenna is stock. Reception sucks. If I get 10 miles out from a radio transmitter, it starts getting staticy.

If I can get better reception, than maybe I'll keep the stock radio. I would like to also add an aux input (not sure if it has one or not) .. and of course, bluetooth for hands free phone calls.

 

The installation instructions for Bluetooth kits offered by MINI show that the microphone isn't included from the factory and needs to be added. It's probably not worth the trouble of wiring through the A pillar -- just mount a microphone in the dash area.

http://motoringfile.com/howto/universal_handsfree.pdf
http://motoringfile.com/howto/offici..._bluetooth.pdf

 

rkw - thanks for the info. Might be better 'hiding' it in the dash somewhere.

 

Another alternative for bluetooth with your stock radio, if you have the added aux port mod.

 

I put a Kenwood receiver in my R52.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...9.html?tp=5684
$120 w/ all install gear, including the microphone. I've put the mic just to the right of the tach.

This gave me bluetooth phone capability, bluetooth streaming and SiriusXM (with free adapter after rebate). The install was easy. I'd do this again in a heartbeat.

 

Do you have a picture of where you put the mic?

BTW, after looking at other 02-06's - I think I have the short stubby antenna. I'll post a picture later.

 

Best I have on me is this:



You can see the mic just to the right of the tach...it's that small, black circle just above the edge of the center of the steering wheel.

 

Gotcha.

 

the GEN 1 radio is a standard DIN mount, so changing is relatively easy

later cars .....

forgetabout it

 

Well .. I think I figured out why the radio gets crappy reception! Please tell me this is an easy fix.

 

Yup...that is a non-oem short antenna...
Like I stated a few posts back...see if you can install a nice tall OEM one...will give you 50+ miles of FM.
Shorty's are not so good..as you know.
OEM is a rubber "ducky" style..about a foot tall....part solid, part flexible to get the CORRECT LENGTH electrically be go a good FM antenna.

 

Non OEM alright - looks to me like the top got clipped off.

 

That was the tall, OEM antenna. It looks like someone decided to save some $$ and just cut it at the transition for a DIY shorty.

 

That's my thoughts exactly.