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Cars have become expensive rolling gadgets, full of screens, speakers, and sensors — but are they actually good gadgets? In our new series,ScreenDrive, we"ll review cars just like any other device, starting with the basics of what they’re like to use.

Oh wow, I thought, feeling the keyless entry engage just as soon as I gripped the handle of the Mini Countryman. Then, with a tug of the door, a winged Mini logo appeared on the asphalt at my feet, projected from a recessed light tucked just inside the door handle. I had to laugh. Like a good unboxing, I was already enjoying the Countryman experience and I was still standing on the curb. You might hate the projected logo; I get that, it’s a gimmick. Others, like me, will think it’s a fun, novel approach to path lighting. That makes it the perfect litmus test. Mini’s a brand that loves to express itself, and you by extension, through quirky, yet sophisticated applications of tech. I drove it for a week: four days on the congested, narrow streets of Amsterdam and another three in the wide-open countryside with my family of five. Boy was I sad to give it back.

Mini, like Rolls-Royce, is part of the BMW Group. The 2017 Mini Cooper S Countryman was built in January 2017 by my fellow countrymen and women here in the Netherlands. The model I’ve been driving came equipped with options valued at €14,630 (about $16,375) above its €25,616 (about $28,665) base price, for a recommended retail price of €57,610.44 (about $64,480) after Dutch we’d-rather-you-buy-an-electric-car taxes and fees.

Mini purists — and there are many — will be put off by its size. That’s not a Mini, it’s a Maxi, they’ll sneer, as if the mere presence of the BMW-built five-passenger Countryman is reason enough to be offended. See, it’s a subcompact crossover that towers over the original Austin Mini Countryman from the ‘60s. As such, it wears the Mini badge with a wink and a nod, a cheekiness expressed in wonderful and unexpected ways from the boot to the bonnet.

If BMWs are the ultimate driving machine, then the Mini is the ultimate gadget machine... from the ‘90s. Don’t get me wrong: the Countryman I drove is very modern by car standards, but modern gadgets can be transformed over time with system updates. These usually add free new features like updated turn-by-turn maps or even Apple CarPlay — a feature that’s coming to all newly-built Countrymans starting next month. Minis can’t do that: the model I tested will never be Apple CarPlay compatible even though it’s only five months old. That makes it more like an old Walkman than a smartphone.

Because it’s a Mini, my Cooper S Countryman test ride featured an iconic center console that harkens back to the original, anchored by a modern, 8.8-inch 1280 x 480 pixel transflective multitouch display. It’s nowhere near as dominating as the center display found in Tesla’s rolling tablet, but it’s responsive, easily viewable in direct sunlight, and big enough for a split-screen view without being too distracting. The display is flanked by a dynamic ring of LED lights that change colors and intensity depending upon function. Switch to eco mode, for example, and the lights surrounding the display glow green for an instant. The ring of lights will then reset itself to indicate changes in volume and RPMs, or however you choose to configure it. (You can dim or disable the ring lights altogether.) I found the light ring to be informative, not obnoxious, but I also like the look of old-school arcades. The center display was great at presenting highly detailed navigation maps while driving and colorful animated tutorials while parked. And believe me, if you buy a Countryman you’ll want to take the time to read the onboard tips and tricks to make the most of your Mini. (More on that later.)

Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time listening to stuff in cars, be it conference calls, podcasts, or most importantly, music. My Countryman test ride came equipped with an optional (€790, or $750 if configured in the US) Harman-Kardon sound system that blasted 410 watts of whatever through 12 speakers: five tweeters, five midrange speakers, and two bass speakers under the front seats. Mini puts the eight-channel digital amp in the luggage and adjusts the sound to specific vehicle and ambient conditions.

All Minis are built upon a modified version of the same iDrive computer system we’ve already seen in our ScreenDrives of the Rolls-Royce Dawn and BMW 530i. BMW’s iDrive has proven to be highly skinable across car divisions. On the Rolls, iDrive is very serious, indeed. But on the Mini, the UI is bright and playful with big, bulbous icons and lively animations. (Mini never uses the term iDrive in its documentation.)

There are many ways to interact with iDrive. When parked, I preferred to reach out and touch that big, 8.8-inch touchscreen display directly. The display supports multitouch for pinching and zooming on maps, for example. It’s also just as sensitive and responsive as any modern smartphone or tablet, which is great when focused, but not really a great thing when you’re driving. That’s where iDrive’s wheeled Controller comes in.

The Mini’s built-in voice control worked well, thanks to dedicated microphones positioned directly above the driver and front passenger. People I called said my voice was “perfect,” meaning it sounded like a normal call (high praise). My Mini had a note-taking feature which let me record voice memos, and I was surprised by the clarity and isolation of my voice.

Unfortunately, the Mini’s built-in voice assistant wouldn’t allow me to send or display texts when paired with my iPhone. It did, however, understand “call my wife,” an association I told Apple about years ago. If I pressed and held the voice assistant button to activate Siri, I could send texts, but they still wouldn’t display in the Messages section on the center display. I also couldn’t figure out how to make Siri play Apple Music tracks through the Mini’s entertainment system; it would just start playing the last locally stored iTunes song instead.

And if I can, I’d like to give a shoutout to all the old-school toggle switches scattered above and below the center console in a nod to the original Mini’s industrial design. Besides, why should jets have all the fun?

My Mini Cooper S Countryman test ride came equipped with the usual sensors to help automate some of the driving experience. I already mentioned keyless entry, enabled by a transceiver in the Mini’s little remote control fob, which allowed the Countryman to be locked or unlocked by pushing a small button on the door handle. Other sensors automatically turn on the lights when it’s dark or the wipers when it’s raining — all standard stuff in today’s cars.

The Countryman also came with four ultrasonic sensors and a couple of cameras. The sensors — two up front and two in the back — assist with obstacle detection and avoidance. The rear sensors help when parking, but they also let me kick a foot under the bumper in order to open or close the hatch when my hands are full. A camera in front helps fine-tune navigation by reading road signs (and tuning the speed guidance in the HUD, for example), while another camera located above the rear license plate is activated on the center display when backing up. The Mini’s optional (€600) Active Driving Assistant used those cameras and sensors to monitor and adjust my speed (and even brake) to help avoid collisions with other cars and pedestrians. It also dimmed my high beams automatically for oncoming traffic. The Driving Assistant worked well in combination with the optional (€390) Active Cruise Control to monitor and maintain a safe distance from the vehicles ahead of me while driving on the highway.

I normally avoid parking on one particular canal-side street in my neighborhood because there’s nothing between the edge of the parallel space and the murky canal water some 15 feet below. But with the Countryman’s Park Assist feature enabled, I let the Mini take over and guide the car into the spot, knowing full well that I could slam on the brake or grab control of the wheel if the guidance made a mistake. It didn’t. Park Assist wasn’t foolproof, though: during one test, the Mini failed to guide me into a spot that was surrounded by bicycles. I can only assume that their irregular shapes caused the parking sensors to misinterpret the obstacles proximity, thus causing the Countryman to park too shallow with two wheels still in the road. In that case, I had to take over and park myself; the rearview camera and proximity sensors were of tremendous help.

The sensors also helped immensely with parking on Amsterdam’s narrow and congested streets. For starters, the right-side mirror would automatically dip while in reverse to give a clear view of the curb. The split-screen view on the spacious 8.8-inch display was especially useful when backing up to show both a live rear camera view and an illustrated view that used colorful bands to indicate the proximity of nearby obstacles (yellow to orange to red, in order of increasing risk). And as you’d expect from a $60,000 car, the Countryman was equipped with enough intelligence to parallel park itself.

Other intelligent technology worth mentioning is the autostart engine that shuts off at stoplights and then starts again when the onboard camera sees the light turn green (or you release the brake); an optional Qi wireless charging option for phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8; auto-dimming / power-folding side mirrors; and a little Mini-supplied Bluetooth tracker so you don’t lose your keys. And if there’s an accident, the Mini Countryman is prepared to automatically call emergency services with the car’s exact location and status.

Car software is the often the weakest point and the Mini Countryman is no exception. It’s not terrible — it is based on iDrive, after all — but the Mini’s most egregious issue was introduced by its €1,700 “professional” navigation system that’s built upon Here maps. The Countryman doesn’t support Android Auto and new models won’t get Apple CarPlay (and Apple Maps) until next month.

To put it simply, the Mini’s overpriced navigation option wasn’t as reliable as the free Google Maps installed on my iPhone. There was one particular stretch of new (as of March) highway just east of Amsterdam that my very expensive “Pro” navigator knew nothing about. Fortunately, my wife, who was seated next to me, was able to pull up Google Maps on her phone just as the Mini’s navigation began to freak out. It showed a juttery green field on the map and pleaded with me to turn around on the highway. I had enough of these snafus during the week, both big and small, that I came to distrust the Countryman’s navigation which meant running Google Maps in parallel to fact-check the Mini’s turn-by-turn instructions. (Note: you can update the Mini’s maps, but at a price. More on this later.)

The Mini Connected app available for both iOS and Android was useful enough, I guess. But really it’s just a stopgap until CarPlay is supported. I was able to set my destination in the app before entering the car and then the Countryman’s navigation would take over. At least in theory. It only worked about 50 percent of the time. Maybe it would have worked 100 percent of the time had I given it the chance, but it was so slow to recognize my device even after it was paired that I grew impatient and resorted to keying in my destination on the touchscreen (and then confirming the route with Google Maps on my iPhone). The Mini Connected app could also be used to locate the vehicle after it was parked (something Apple Maps does as well), and to track the Bluetooth tag attached to Countryman’s keys.

So imagine my surprise to find out that in 2017, 10 years after the first iPhone shipped with Google Maps preinstalled, the Mini Countryman that I was driving would run essentially the same software already installed — forever. Oh sure, I can update the Here-sourced maps, but only if I pay a one-time fee of €79 for a single update or €102 for a couple of years’ worth, even though my Countryman test ride was equipped with the optional €1,700 “professional” navigation system. And if I want the iDrive update that’s adding Apple CarPlay to Minis in just a few weeks, well, I’d have to buy a brand-new Mini. That’s right, there’s no upgrade path.

I should note that the Countryman customization packages differ by country, often varying widely in bundled features and pricing. And there are many options to choose from — “10 million possible combinations” according to the Mini USA website.

Clearly, I can’t recommend the professional navigation package found on my European test Mini as it’s not worth anything close to the €1,700 price. But if you’re buying a new Mini Cooper S Countryman built after July then iPhone owners, at least, can still get Apple CarPlay support. You’ll definitely want that 8.8-inch display option on the center console, even if it’s just for the split-screen view while backing up. I’d also recommend the following tech-focused packages, but all other options are a matter of personal taste and style:

And because this is, after all, a Mini, I’d also pay €130 for the exceptionally engineered foldout picnic bench. It turns the rear bumper into a rather comfortable seat for two with ready access to a 12-volt power socket. What better way to immerse yourself in 410 watts of sound while simultaneously exalting: Look at me, I drive a Mini!

For many of you MINI Cooper owners, the quality of the infotainment system was one of the focal points of interest when getting your car. This has not been overlooked by MINI manufacturers, who strived to design an in-car system that would meet your needs. Then again, after teaming up with Apple in 2017, owners of 2017+ MINIs got an even more compelling alternative to the native solutions in the form of MINI Cooper Apple CarPlay.

But what about drivers of older generation cars? Don’t they get to use an in-car multimedia hub with a host of popular iOS apps? Rather the contrary. BimmerTech made sure that owners of pre-2017 MINIs would be able to retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto solutions without the need to alter their iDrive systems, or exchange their senior MINI for a later version. With CarPlay & Android Auto MMI Prime it’s possible to turn your 2011+ MINI Cooper into the ultimate infotainment machine.

Although it wasn’t until 2014 that Apple introduced CarPlay to the automotive realm, the technology itself was based on the pre-existing "iPod Out" functionality, co-developed by Apple and BMW several years earlier. In a BMW, iPod Out allowed connecting an iPod to the iDrive system to listen to music via the car"s stereo system. Meanwhile, the current track or playlist could be shown on the iDrive screen, and controlled with the vehicle"s native multimedia controls.

As the years went on and iPods got replaced by far more capable iPhones, Apple rebuilt its iPod Out technology, expanding it with considerably more features. The new system, called CarPlay, became a bridge between the smartphone and the iDrive system that was made to leverage much more than solely music playback. It could run a variety of apps, including music, messaging and navigation, suited to use behind the wheel. Or to be clearer – it was optimized to be easily controlled via buttons, knobs, voice assistants or touchscreens (in compatible vehicles).

Those of you who own pre-2017 MINI Coopers know that they can be absolutely sufficient option wise with their 6.5’’ displays, Bluetooth connectivity or SiriusXM satellite radio... except for lacking original Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment features.

Thankfully the strong BMW/MINI partnership leads the British brand forward, generously sharing each new BMW technology with MINI cars. Most software/hardware components first introduced by the BMW, such as head units, screens or cameras sooner or later get included in the MINI range. And so did CarPlay for that matter.

After the Bavarian brand paved the way for MINI to include the Apple technology, MINI started to offer the original Apple CarPlay activation in July 2017 on MINI Clubman models (followed by MINI Countryman, MINI Hatch and MINI Convertible in 2018). The only trick here was in order to get the full MINI Cooper CarPlay experience, the car had to be equipped with:

At times, adding MINI Cooper CarPlay may be as easy as activating the existing option in your iDrive. In fact, most 2017 or later MINIs with the CarPlay Preparation option (S6CPA) are capable of running the native Apple CarPlay interface, after having it activated by a MINI dealership or third party using special coding software for MINIs. If you’re not sure whether your MINI Cooper has the S6CPA option, enter your VIN here and we’ll check that for you.

The availability of factory activated MINI Cooper CarPlay can be also limited by your location. According to Apple, MINI Cooper CarPlay is attainable for citizens of over 35 countries. Those of you whose countries are not on that list can’t have the feature activated by MINI dealers.

BimmerTech, on the other hand, can perform the MINI Apple CarPlay setup in any country – all you gotta have is the necessary hardware preparation. Our CarPlay activation is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to have Apple technology in your vehicle. No cables will be needed, just a USB stick and 15 minutes of your free time to spare on a swift coding procedure. In some cases, though, you may additionally need to get a WiFi antenna if your MINI doesn’t already have one, to enable a wireless connection between your iPhone and the head unit. Check here if your MINI needs one, and if so — order it with us.

If your vehicle was produced before 2017 and doesn’t have original Apple CarPlay, our aftermarket CarPlay for MINI Coopers will let you enjoy even more than this iOS functionality. With the MINI Cooper CarPlay retrofit for 2011+ MINIs, you’ll not only get to have a wireless CarPlay feature, but also be able to use an Android Auto functionality and connect yours or your friends’ Android devices in a breeze! The upgrade additionally supports front and reversing cameras, which due to the present MMI module, are available for a much lower price.

The MINI Cooper CarPlay retrofit is compatible with CHAMP2, NBT and NBT Evo iDrive systems. But hey, don’t worry if you’re not sure which one’s which. Enter your VIN on the product website and we’ll check if your MINI is compatible for you.

Like to take things into your own hands? MINI Cooper CarPlay install will be your test as an avid DIYer. If your MINI comes with an NBT type head unit, your job will be a straightforward plug & play. Just disassemble the upper and lower trim and the faceplate on your dash, pull the head unit out, connect it to the MMI module using the supplied harness, plug in the new cable from the MMI to the screen and that’s it, job done.

On the other hand, adding MINI Cooper CarPlay retrofit to CIC type head units might be a bit more complicated and a longer process requiring expert DIY knowledge. If you feel like you"d rather pass that responsibility on to somebody that’s more experienced, you can get in touch with one of our installers.

First of all, do the pairing! After you pair your MINI with your iPhone, the native MINI iDrive menu will be replaced with CarPlay’s interface, conveniently displaying available apps as iOS-like icons all over the screen. Navigating the menu won’t give you a hard time either, as it won’t be any different from using your native MINI system. This means you’ll be able to use the MINI Connected controller to switch between options, Siri to get directions, dictate messages, ask for music, etc. – or, if fitted with a touchscreen, tap on apps you want to use.

CarPlay apps may be displayed on your MINI’s built-in screen, but don’t forget that CarPlay is not a standalone system. In order to run your apps, you need to keep your iPhone connected to the car at all times.

On many systems it brings the need for a wired connection, with the iOS device being plugged into one of the car"s USB ports throughout use. Fortunately, CarPlay MMI Prime retrofit for MINI supports wireless connections, which you can enable by activating Bluetooth on your iPhone and going through a simple set up process.

Before you get excited about using a YouTube app on your MINI screen, keep in mind that not all of your iPhones apps will be available on CarPlay. This technology was built to support only these apps drivers are likely to use behind the wheel – that is navigation, messaging and audio, including music, radio and podcasts. Among the apps you can find Apple Maps, iMessage and Apple Music, as well as third-party offerings, like Google Maps, Audible and Overcast. Apart from these categories, Apple has also allowed manufacturers to include their own, vehicle-specific app.

Extra options always mean additional bucks, but CarPlay is a different story. During its launch in 2017, CarPlay went for $300 in the US keeping up with other infotainment features. However, after adjusting the payment model based on a consumer-first approach, MINI manufacturers decided to make CarPlay available as a subscription service, including it free for four years and charging $80/year after the end of that period.

That wasn"t their last word though, as after receiving a multitude of complaints, MINI then decided to give complimentary lifetime CarPlay for all 2017+ vehicles.

… is not there by default. What you may find slightly inconvenient in MINI’s native CarPlay setup is its original split-screen interface only fits up to eight apps per screen. For those MINI owners who’d like to open up that space a little bit and give nav maps or music playlist more room to shine, there is a full-screen mode letting you use as many as 10 apps per page. How to activate it? With BimmerTech’s full-screen Apple CarPlay coding you’ll do it in 15 minutes.

The original Android Auto is included as an option only in MGU head units, and since MINI Cooper is yet to be equipped with iDrive 7.0, for now you won’t find this feature on any car from the MINI range. Luckily, thanks to the MINI Cooper Android Auto retrofit for 2011+ vehicles, dedicated Android users don’t have to wait for the upcoming manufacturing decisions or save up for a new iPhone. Getting your hands on the Android Auto retrofit means you’ll get to enjoy your favourite phone apps like Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, WhatsApp or Messenger, and control them all with Google Assistant voice commands. No better way to stay focused on the road!

No matter the age, your MINI bundle of joy deserves that last eye catching touch making the insides and your driving experience pop. And what’s a better way to do it than with Apple CarPlay? For the latest MINIs it entails a quick USB activation, for others with additional hardware. If you still wonder which option is best for your vehicle, enter your VIN at the top of the page or contact us.

At OutMotoring, we specialize in MINI Cooper Accessories, MINI Cooper replacement parts, MINI Cooper performance parts, and Aston Martin parts and accessories. We"re a family-owned business founded in 2002. We want to be your #1 source for MINI Cooper Accessories and Parts (Countryman, Clubman, Convertible, Coupe, etc) and Aston Martin accessories and parts, so we offer a wide selection, great prices, fast shipping, friendly service and regularly add new MINI Cooper parts to our online catalog. Be sure to check out our fantastic Motoring Points Rewards Program to earn points to get MINI Cooper parts for FREE!

Browse - To browse our wide selection of MINI Cooper Accessories OEM genuine MINI Cooper and aftermarket MINI Cooper parts and MINI Cooper accessories by model and year, choose from the list below:

Please note that we include all JCW models along with the "Cooper S" year range for all MINI models. For example 2023 JCW F56 Hatchback parts would be organized in and with the 2023 Cooper S F56 Hatchback model. Same with the SE models. There will be dedicated separate sub categories for the SE specific drive train within the Cooper S category.

Please visit our MINI Cooper Accessories Blog for the latest news, exclusive specials, and first notice of new MINI parts & accessories for your MINI Cooper or MINI Cooper S. Check out the conversation on our Facebook page.

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The Mini Cooper is a great little car with all the perks of a full-size luxury sedan. If you own this car or are thinking about purchasing one, you are a wise investor. What is even wiser is your choice to save money by buying your accessories at Exclusive Steering. We are always looking to help customers and potential customers save money on the things that they want and need.

If you do not like the way your present Mini Cooper steering wheel looks, feels or drives, you can choose a Mini Cooper custom steering wheel replacement. We offer all the tools you will need to start and complete your Mini Cooper customer steering wheel replacement project. Creating a new product or designing one of your own unlocks creativity.

At Exclusive Steering, we help you to become the expert designer that you are or could be. The Mini Cooper, like the Subaru, has taken the show floor for style, uniqueness, and personality. We have several trims for you to choose from, to help make your customized experience personal and fulfilling. Here is what we offer: three customizable styles. Build My Own

Since we carry all aftermarket auto parts and accessories, our customers love the Subaru steering wheel 3-piece sets. Just like the simple Mini Cooper steering wheel design, you can design a Mini Cooper carbon fiber steering wheel from the same site.

If you have already chosen your colors and picked your design, the next step is simple. When you get to our website, just click on your choices. Choose from our already pre-selected features or create your own specific Mini Cooper carbon fiber steering wheel features from our list of materials.

What are you waiting for? At Exclusive Steering, you are the creator and designer of your own Mini Cooper Steering wheel and we also offer Subaru steering wheels. We supply all the necessary information, products, and accessories you will need to create the perfect riding experience. No one offers you quality aftermarket parts with OEM approval like Exclusive Steering.

The Mini Cooper is a great little car with all the perks of a full-size luxury sedan. If you own this car or are thinking about purchasing one, you are a wise investor. What is even wiser is your choice to save money by buying your accessories at Exclusive Steering. We are always looking to help customers and potential customers save money on the things that they want and need.

If you do not like the way your present Mini Cooper steering wheel looks, feels or drives, you can choose a Mini Cooper custom steering wheel replacement. We offer all the tools you will need to start and complete your Mini Cooper customer steering wheel replacement project. Creating a new product or designing one of your own unlocks creativity.

At Exclusive Steering, we help you to become the expert designer that you are or could be. The Mini Cooper, like the Subaru, has taken the show floor for style, uniqueness, and personality. We have several trims for you to choose from, to help make your customized experience personal and fulfilling. Here is what we offer: three customizable styles. Build My Own

Since we carry all aftermarket auto parts and accessories, our customers love the Subaru steering wheel 3-piece sets. Just like the simple Mini Cooper steering wheel design, you can design a Mini Cooper carbon fiber steering wheel from the same site.

If you have already chosen your colors and picked your design, the next step is simple. When you get to our website, just click on your choices. Choose from our already pre-selected features or create your own specific Mini Cooper carbon fiber steering wheel features from our list of materials.

What are you waiting for? At Exclusive Steering, you are the creator and designer of your own Mini Cooper Steering wheel and we also offer Subaru steering wheels. We supply all the necessary information, products, and accessories you will need to create the perfect riding experience. No one offers you quality aftermarket parts with OEM approval like Exclusive Steering.

Originally designed by Britain’s Austin Motor Company in 1956, the Mini name has been part of the automotive scene for over 50 years. Throughout the decades, the little car always offered practical utility, oddly dramatic styling (‘boxy but cute,’ ‘powered roller-skate’ etc.), and a healthy dose of driving fun, particularly when considering the car’s performance variant the "Cooper S."

After suffering through a series of corporate mergers and acquisitions between the Mini’s 1959 roll-out and the early 90s, BMW finally took control of the product line in 1994. BMW introduced the all-new Mini in 2002. To the general surprise of no one, the eagerly-anticipated revival was a smash hit from the beginning, combining the best qualities of the old cars with modern safety, comfort, and technology.

While larger than its dimunitive forebears, the 2002-06 Mini Cooper is still a great example of how much pure driving fun can be stuffed into a small, neat package. There"s plenty of room for improvement in the factory sound system, so read on to find out how you can make your car"s sound as sweet as its handling.

The standard Mini Cooper sound system in the hatchback offers an integrated high-definition AM/FM/CD unit, stacked below the car’s primary instrument cluster, with remote receiver controls placed on either side of the steering wheel’s center line. In addition to the receiver itself, the sound system includes a woofer/tweeter configuration in each of the front doors, and rear speakers mounted in the rear side panels at hip level.

Regardless of which system you"re replacing, you"ll need a mounting kit to trim out the new radio, a wire harness, and an antenna adapter that"ll let you connect the Mini"s antenna plug to your new radio. These installation parts are available at a deep discount with your Crutchfield stereo order.

It"s relatively easy to retain the steering wheel audio controls when you install a new stereo in your Mini Cooper. When you enter your vehicle information, our database will choose the adapter you need to make your factory steering wheel controls work with your new receiver.

The Mini’s front door speaker system is a split-location configuration, with low-mid cones placed at the bottom of the doors, while highs are produced by tweeters placed at the top of the door panel, adjacent to the door’s latch. If you decide to install aftermarket tweeters, you may have to fabricate new mounting brackets. The tweeter opening is oddly shaped, and making a new bracket will require a little ingenuity. Of course, you can also use a set of our universal back straps, which is a lot easier.

If you are only intending to replace the speaker system, the speaker configuration is the same as the standard system. However, no wiring harnesses are available for the MINI so you have to cut off the factory plug wherever you replace a speaker. Simply follow the instructions on the Crutchfield MasterSheet, and you should be good to go.

Unsurprisingly, there isn"t a ton of room for an enclosed subwoofer in the Mini Cooper. The available cargo area space measures 36" W x 13" H x 14"/10" D, so if you use your car as a daily driver, you"ll lose some storage space.

You"ll find iPod interfaces designed to integrate with the factory radio in the Mini Cooper, even with the Harman Kardon system. Some of the interfaces work with the DSP radio, some work with the non-DSP version.

Installing a security system in your Mini Cooper isn"t easy (security systems rarely are), but it"s definitely a good idea. Our Crutchfield Advisors can help figure out what you need to get the job done, but we usually recommend taking your car and new gear to a professional installer.

• Perform highly diversified duties to install and maintain electrical apparatus on production machines and any other facility equipment (Screen Print, Punch Press, Steel Rule Die, Automated Machines, Turret, Laser Cutting Machines, etc.).

Meticulously calibrated for color and brightness, our state of the art displays eliminate screen fatigue and ensure your photos look like the real deal.

For drivers who enjoy listening to podcasts and music or those who desperately need navigation help, a car’s infotainment system can be crucial to their happiness. And nothing sours that happiness faster than a system that refuses to cooperate or has a screen that goes blank.

In fact, in our most recent exclusive Auto Survey, one of the most common reliability complaints from owners of newer models involved infotainment problems, such as when the display screen goes blank or freezes, or the navigation system stops working properly.