R55 Cooper S

[chrisch77]

The pre LCI audio systems used the old BMW arrangement of separate modules for everything (eg DAB, Bluetooth, CD changer etc) connected by fibre optic MOST ring. From the facelift, the head unit had all the extras integrated so there were different head unit versions depending on what was fitted. In BMW parlance the two different architectures were related to the CCC and CIC nav generations respectively.

[scrw.]

Makes sense, I have 2 fibre outputs on the old headunit. Just need to find what the mic inputs are on the lci boost radio then and wire the mice to those, seems to be differing opinions as to what the wires are.

[scrw.]

a little snippet from northamericanmotoring forum

"I connected the Mic to pins 1 and 6 in the top left connector in the radio quadlock connector holding the connector with the radio side facing you."

off to have another look

[scrw.]

DAB lead, taped it together now so it won't pop apart
20250426_132257 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

Gave up hunting for the mic feed into the head unit, will run the phone via the bluetooth adaptor and use the mic that came with that.

20250426_140030 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

20250426_140036 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

Just means I cannot control the phone via the head unit, only via the phone, may look again if I come across a decent wiring diagram. Just waiting for the ISB lead to arrive later and I can put it all back together.

[scrw.]

USB lead is in now, plus I stuck a usb power lead behind the dash coming out by the rev counter so I can power my phone when it is on the quad mount, dash all back together.

20250426_191136 by Old_Chad, on Flickr


So, next job, either new wheels or new exhaust, thinking exhaust first. I need to find a local exhaust builder to make up a new quieter one that doesn't catch on the mid brace like the current one.

[scrw.]

oh I forgot, I have a Hampton leather interior which is in better condition that my current ones. So they will go in next and the front leathers in this are going into my van.

[scrw.]

Got these off the bay as they were on offer, well needed as the current ones are leaking around the valves.

20250610_154722 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

[scrw.]

scrw. said:

oh I forgot, I have a Hampton leather interior which is in better condition that my current ones. So they will go in next and the front leathers in this are going into my van.

Now in, only difference other than condition is the red stitching in the rear and some nifty tags on the front seats...oh and I now have a centre headrest

20250610_192918 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

[drgoatboy]

scrw. said:

Got these off the bay as they were on offer, well needed as the current ones are leaking around the valves.

20250610_154722 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

Are they 16s? I had a set of these on mine for a bit, considerably lighter than stock and it was noticeable too!

[scrw.]

17"s, listed at 8.4kgs, OEM r108's are 10.4kgs

[21TonyK]

Did you finish off the extra soundproofing all round? Did it make a noticable difference?

[scrw.]

Never got round to it, may do it over next winter, it is still on the to do list.

[drgoatboy]

scrw. said:

17"s, listed at 8.4kgs, OEM r108's are 10.4kgs

A useful saving. Hopefully you'll notice that. The R108 are pretty rare wheels I think might be worth something to someone wanting to refurb them

[scrw.]

drgoatboy said:

A useful saving. Hopefully you'll notice that. The R108 are pretty rare wheels I think might be worth something to someone wanting to refurb them

Thinking that, looking for a decent wheel refurb place near chester, going to need bead blasting and painting.

[scrw.]

New wheels are on, new boots on the front too. Steering is noticeably lighter, tyres change from Rainsport 3's to 5's as you can't get the 3's any more, just surprised at the steering feel difference, but the wheels are 2kg a corner lighter. Mirror caps are going back to green now you can see the brakes again.
20250612_170915 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

[scrw.]

Collars 'n' cuffs matching again

20250614_190859 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

[scrw.]

Scrubs up well (not by me LOL)

20250813_181550 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

20250813_181534 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

20250813_181615 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

[scrw.]

Well its mot time this month, so an excuse to swap out the exhaust as the ebay special is too loud for me. Gone for a resonated Milltek one as I got a 10% off offer on one I was watching on ebay. Will see if I fit it or get a mate to do it on his lift, really depends on the weather as the black van is still hogging the garage.

[drgoatboy]

scrw. said:

Well its mot time this month, so an excuse to swap out the exhaust as the ebay special is too loud for me. Gone for a resonated Milltek one as I got a 10% off offer on one I was watching on ebay. Will see if I fit it or get a mate to do it on his lift, really depends on the weather as the black van is still hogging the garage.

Nice choice. Milltek sounds good. Have you just gone cat back?
It's not too terrible a job to do on your drive compared to some other cars....

[scrw.]

Already have a scorpion sports cat, but cat back on a Clubby is the full length of the car so a lot of crawling about getting it lined up. OEM is a bit easier being 1 piece.