MINI HK with aftermarket head unit – productionized!

Posted on by Ian C.

Long term readers will know of my terrible experiences with trying to upgrade GBMINIs stereo at Tweeter, and of my eventual solution to run an aftermarket (Kenwood) head unit with the Harmon Kardon amp & speakers. Originally I had the stock radio in the boot, connected to the HK amp, because the amp requires digital messages from the stock head unit to control volume, tone, and sound mode.
More recently I adapted one of my companies products to persuade the HK amp to run.

Now, after interest from MikeyTheMini who sells audio parts for the MINI (and other cars), I decided to make a “production version” which I have called the “HKenabler”; I plan to “pot” the HKenabler in a little box, with just the wires coming out – for maximum protection:

HKenabler circuit
Potting shell for HKenabler

This circuit connects to the car using the same adaptor harness sold by MikeyTheMini and used to connect the aftermarket head unit. Three wires (+, – and iBus) go from the car to the HKenabler – the + is the same + that turns on the HK amp, and comes from the “amp out” signal of the aftermarket HU.
When power is applied to the HKenabler, it communicates with the HK amp and instructs it to run with neutral balance, bass, treble, fade and a fixed almost full volume. Then the aftermarket HU volume control adjusts the overall sound level.

My experience and that of MikeyTheMini’s one test is that the HKenabler can get more volume out of the HK amp, and of course you benefit from the better features of the aftermarket head unit.

An optional extra two wires from the HKenabler allow a switch to be installed in the car which controls the sound mode of the HK amp (MINI H/K, SPATIAL, ELECTRONIC, INSTRUMENTAL, FESTIVAL); you can also control the “DRIVER MODE”. Even with no display you can easily recognize the “hollow” INSTRUMENTAL mode and the echoing FESTIVAL mode, so it is easy to figure what selection you have – or just choose the one that sounds best!

If anyone with the Harmon Kardon system is interested in replacing their head unit but keeping the amp and speakers, you can contact me or MikeyTheMini to learn more.

Please don’t push your MINI too far …

Posted on by Ian C.

Anyone driving a MINI knows that their handling is phenomenal.
I once had a conversation (I think with the manager of MINI Peabody) about whether DSC was useful – after all, with such great handling, DSC would be irrelevant!
His comment persuaded me to put DSC on GBMINI; he said that because you get used to the great handling, when the car does let go (due to exceeding the laws of physics – cue Scotty) it can be a major surprise. Having DSC in the background may help in that situation.
Tonight I saw a thread on MINI2, by Happy Hippo:
On my usual commute to work I succeeded in losing the backend of my car on a gentle bend, I think I then reacted by lifting off the throttle and breaking. This of course only made things worse and I then hit the grass verge, slid along it until I hit a concrete post and ditch, at which point the car rolled 3 times before landing upside down in a field
Of course the great news is that the owner is here to describe the event (luckily survived with relatively minor injuries) … but it is a cautionary tale for all MINI drivers.
The thread also discusses the possibility of worse handling due to recent tire rotation. MINI USA does not recommend that tires be rotated – perhaps there is a reason not to do so …
Finally, there is also a discussion about whether runflat tires are more likely to aquaplane in wet weather. I have definitely noticed worse aquaplaning in the MINI than in any previous car – but I recently switched to non-runflat tires so it will be interesting over time to see what (if any) improvements there are.
So far, there is less road noise (which is good), and a tendency for the car to try and steer itself (which is bad – the new tires are 205/50 instead of the stock 195/55 on the same 16″ wheels).

GBMINI goes to Costco

Posted on by Ian C.

Our trip to Costco today found us buying lots of exciting things – among them a free standing air conditioner, electric pressure washer, toilet rolls, cat litter and a couple of tins of coffee.
When we got back to the car, everything suddenly got much bigger but I am very pleased to report that everything came home in GBMINI, with both driver & passenger still comfortable and not having to slide either front seat forward.


And to the gentleman that came over to chat about MINIs, saying next year he might replace his Cadillac with a MINI and have a “second childhood”, I say – hurry up and join in the fun!