The 2005 center storage console

Posted on by Ian C.

Also today, I finally installed the official MINI center storage console:

You *can* install it without removing the downtubes, since it is very flexible and can be bent and twisted into place. I have not yet tried to get it out again without removing the downtubes (which I hoped would be possible for any 2005 MINI owners wanting to install the MINI circuit).
Now I have it installed, I don’t really think the official solution is any better than the Hot Pocket I had before (although the official part is a better color match) …

2005 MINI head unit

Posted on by Ian C.

The 2005 MINI has an updated head unit which is reported to be able to play MP3 data CDs – allowing as much as 5-10 hours of music on a single CD!
I have not yet tried a new head unit, or seen one out of a MINI, but this recent MINI2 thread suggests that the 2005 head unit is a drop-in replacement for the older one – there is a picture which seems to show the same rear connections.

If this is true it is great news for people wanting to stick with the original looks, but get MP3 playback …

Flashing Third Brake Light Installed

Posted on by Ian C.

As mentioned recently, I read about an Automatic Brakes Initiated Annunciator kit and ordered it. It came quickly and included good install instructions. The module is installed behind the third brake light and wired so that when you press the brake pedal, the light flashes a few times. The module is designed so that the light does not flash every time you brake, but only after some time with the brakes not pressed.

So I removed the third brake light (easy – three torx screws at the top of the boot lid) and wired the module (quite easy, but there is not much space to fit the module behind the third brake light):


I tested the module and wiring before refitting, then had a friend press, release and press the brake pedal while I video’ed: for the not terribly exciting (and silent) video result:

 

I am not sure if this is really a good mod – I have not been behind my MINI while driving it to know if the flashing has much effect, or if it is annoying. I can hear the clicking of the module when I brake, if the stereo is not too loud (not annoying, but noticeable). But at $15, I cannot argue with the price – if I made my own module it would be a similar cost!

UPDATE (September 29, 2004): This mod is no longer in GBMINI – the click-click-click every time I braked was driving me crazy; the claims about it not re-flashing if you brake again in a short time is also not true for me.