Fitting a cd player to a bmw mini?

Question

I'm buying a cd player to replace the tape player that's in my mother-in-law's mini. How do you extract the tape player and is it just plug and play with a cd player? Cheers

Answer 1

1) Remove the panel at the back of the centre console with the electric mirror switch and undo two screws beneath.
2) Remove 2 screws in bottom of drinks holders.
3) Remove 4 large torx screws from silver side panels on centre console.
4) Slightly lift centre console and remove polystyrene supports from the base of the silver side panels.
5) Remove silver side panels.
6) Radio is held in with 4 screws. Remove these and take radio out.
Wiring is BMW so you will need a wiring adaptor. Older Minis have the round pin connections like the old shape 3 series and being a tape player in there you will probably find these.
Later minis use the new quad lock connectors.
You will also need a fascia adaptor plate as the standard radio is slightly bigger than an after market unit.
To be quite honest, if you don't want to damage the car get a car radio specialist to do this one. They are not easy to do!

Answer 2

Go to your nearest BMW/mini dealership and head into the service department and ask them nicely to remove or just have it ready for you to pop out. When your ready to fit the new head unit also you will need a connection harness to fit the new head unit to the BMW main wiring loom which you can get in halfords or any in car stereo shop.Or just get the likes of halfords to do it for you.