QUOTE(grim_d @ May 6 2008, 07:01 PM)
i dont know how it is in the states but most cars (new mini being an exception) for a long while here have used a standard 2 plug system for stereo harnesses, pull out the OE one and plug in a aftermarket stereo, 5 minute job.
even older cars that dont have this standard system you can buy wiring harness adaptors for around £10, did this for my sunny (had the exact same style plugs that you do on your 240). So this is why i was a bit confused as to why you had to do all that wiring on your double din. dont you get the adapters there?
heres the one for the new mini...
Yes we do use a plugin harness, it's different on nearly ever car though. The way it works is the aftermarket stereo will come with one plug with 6" of wire hanging out from it, then you buy the harness that matches with your car which is one or two plugs with wires hanging out of it, then you have to solder or crimp the two halves of the adapter together... They do make pre-made harness for popular stereo brands and popular cars but they're quite rare.
The Mini uses a harness similar to what you showed but the mini harness is missing a bunch of wires that are needed by the aftermarket stereo, meaning you have to run additional wires al over the place.
I wont be installing the stereo any time soon anyway, the Mini is the in shop because the Power Steering pump decided it wants to keep running after you shut the car off. Drained the batter. Looking it up online it would seem that over 60% of all mini's made from 02-04 have had their power steering pump replaced at least once with at least 6 recorded incidence of them catching fire due to a faulty pump
Why BMW hasn't done a recall is perplexing... it's a good thing your instructor is getting a Golf, bucko