A handy guide on how to purchase the best in car stereo to suit your Mini

So, here are some hints on how to choose the right car audio system for your Mini, compiled with the help of

1) First, you should take note of the speakers. A quality amplifier produces good sound from the speaker and will eliminate distortion and noise to give you good quality sound. Make sure that the amplifier is mounted in a car location that will achieve a good air flow and will not get wet.

2) The next consideration is the speakers. The size of the speaker should work within the proportions of your car because too much of a magnet may produce a low quality of sound in smaller cars. However, set yourself an affordable budget when shopping for speakers and make sure that your speaker choice is suited to your Mini. When buying amplifiers and speakers you can easily get carried away, so be careful.

3) What about automatic volume control? Automatic volume control enables the audio system to control the volume capacity and compensate for wind and speed audio interference. This is a feature you may want to make sure is available on the audio systems you are looking at.

4) What about the extras? Due to the advances of technology, today's newly developed car audio systems are more versatile and efficient compared to the ancient ones. Recent technological add-ons include GPS ability, or a mapping system for directions, Bluetooth ready devices and audio/video display set up.

5) Ask an expert. If in doubt then why not go into your local Mini car parts shop and ask a few questions. You can then move onto the next store and see if you get the same answers. This can be the only way to see if the advice is reliable or whether the staff are just trying to sell you a stereo. Shopping around is the only way to ensure you get the best possible deal.

6) Don't play around with the electronics. Unless you're an experienced electrician it is not advisable that you tamper with the electronics of your Mini. Instead you should hire an expert electrician, which could cost anything from 100 to 200 pounds.

7) However changing your stereo isn't the only option. Even though adding a stereo could help bring the technology of your Mini into the 21st century, it's not always the most efficient way to increase your driving experience. This is because older Minis may be too dated to get the stereo to function properly. If you run into this problem then you might prefer to buy or lease a car that already comes equipped with a brand new stereo. For example, a  deal from may be the perfect way to replace yoru Mini with a newer model.

If you follow these tips then hopefully you should have no problem when it comes to selecting and then installing a new audio system in your Mini.