I thought about having Independence Audio do the install but they said since it's a MINI they would have to charge more and it would be atleast $350. I thought that was ridiculous so I started researching everything to do it myself.
It took me 2 weeks working a few hours after work every night to finish it but I am VERY happy with the results.
I replaced everything with the following.
- Kenwood 4Ch Amplifier 240W RMS
Infinity Kappa 6x9 3-way speakers 110W RMS
Infinity Kappa 6.5 component system 90W RMS
Kenwood excelon x995 HeadUnit
10 sq ft Second skin sound deadening
10" Alpine subwoofer 600W RMS...need bigger amp
Kenwood 2 ch Amplifier 250W RMS...too weak for subs
Metra Access Steering Wheel controls...Not currently working
Monster Cable RCA cables
I already had a few of these things but I ended up spending about $700.
For the amps I made a false bottom so I wouldn't have wires getting caught and I didn't lose too much cargo space other than the sub which might be coming out since I don't have an amp big enough for it and it sounds great without it. Since it wasn't working I used it as a candy bowl at a trunk-or-treat.
I took out the whole lower interior panels other than the carpet and the upper dash. When tearing everything out I came upon...dun dun dun dun *sound effects* RUST
It's in a few spots. I would advise everyone to check these areas and fix it before it gets worse.
- Under the rubber boot trim, there was still water in there when I pulled it off.
Under the driver and passenger side door trim
Behind the trim panel on the boot around the plastic license plate bracket
There was also water marks on the right rear speaker and the H/K amp, no wonder it died. When I took out the rear speakers I found even more dust.
Before After The rear speakers went in without a problem but the fronts were a different story, I had to make adapters to make them fit the hole. The door panel ended up hitting the speakers because the factory speaker grills are plastic riveted onto the panel so I did what I didn't want to do.
I cut the factory grills off and made the hole bigger and mounted the aftermarket grills. In the end I think they look better.