Is the Mini in-dash CD head unit compatible with my E36?

[G. P. Burdell]

In the coming months, I may have a pristine factory CD head unit from a 2003 Mini Cooper to play with.

I've been doing some reading, and it looks like the Mini stereo system uses I-Bus, which would (at least on the surface) make it compatible with my 1997 E36 with its factory I-Bus cassette head unit and CD changer. A big plus is that the amber illumination on the Mini head unit appears identical to BMW's.

Has anyone successfully fitted a head unit from a Mini to their late-model E36? I'm wondering if this would be an upgrade comparable to installing a CD43 head unit from a Z3.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[10kken]

I haven't done this, or even seen the Mini HU. But, the E36 HU is standard DIN sized. Any other HU, BMW or aftermarfet, that is DIN sized will fit perfectly.

[G. P. Burdell]

Thanks, Ken. The Mini head unit appears to be DIN-sized. I'm just wondering about the connections and whether it's even worth it to try.

Here's a picture of the head unit.

[10kken]

Nice. Is it black or grey?

As far as the wiring goes, it could be a little tricky matching up the wires to power all 10 speakers if the Mini unit is designed to power a lesser number. Although, that would give you a good excuse to upgrade your factory amp and speakers. As if you needed any more upgrading ideas!

[G. P. Burdell]

The picture looks a little washed-out, but it is black. FWIW, there's a pinout diagram posted here:

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/persona..._hu_pinout.jpg

[10kken]

You'll have to let us know how it goes. This could become a hit.

[scott_freedman]

here goes.
the wire colors on your diagram donot mathc the wire colors on my 94 e36 harness.

the pins in the diagram look sdifferent from the pins on may harness. on the bmw harness the pins are staggered and the picture you show has even pins.

but it shouldn be that hard.
the radio in an e36 has only 4 outputs to its amplifier. not 10 10kken.

pLug a should n't be much of a problem except pins 9,10,11. thats teh ibus. my radio is not I bus so I dont know how it is connected. and what does the secutity check mean? that could be a problem.

plug B is the input for the cCompact Disk Changer. pin 2 is the signal ground and 8 and 9 are left and right.

plug c is for the phone / nav/ tv interface.

[G. P. Burdell]

Thanks, Scott. I'll do some tinkering and report back when I have the Mini head unit.

[byrona8]

How do you enter the radio code for the Mini radio in a E36