Fellow Vantage Owners,

Finally got the OEM Mini Cooper "Sport Aero Rod" Antenna in a few days ago and I wanted to do a quick write-up with high res pics to give you an idea of exactly what it looks like both up close and from afar.

Part:

Ordered the Antenna off Ebay from Plano Mini for only $35 shipped (worth every penny). The part number and packaging shown below (pics attached). The antenna is only 105mm long (roughly 4 inches for the metrically challenged). It's a perfect match to the OEM rough textured based of the stock antenna base. Ironically enough, the semi-matte finish is even an better match to the Vantage antenna base than the super long stock Aston antenna (which is more of a metallic gloss black). The angle / pitch of the antenna is also perfect. Inside the box, the shorty antenna and the larger thread adapter are included (Larger antenna adapter although nice, is not necessary for our application so you can just leave it in the box). Just for modding humor I put the stock antenna back in the Mini Cooper box for comparison sake

Installation:

Literally 10 seconds... unscrew old pogo stick, screw on stubby sport aero antenna. If you cannot do this yourself... you honestly do not belong behind the wheel of a moving vehicle

Antenna Reception:

Although it may be shorter, it appears the reception from the OEM Mini antenna is significantly better than the stock unit. Whenever I would listen to the radio on the stock antenna it would always cut in & out between stereo & mono modes. You can tell this by looking at the Dobly Surround logo come on/off in the bottom left of the radio screen. It was quite annoying and irritating. With the new antenna it no longer does this and is always in stereo mode with the Dobly surround logo always showing; both reception and sound quality have improved for the better.

Verdict:

A must for every Aston Vantage owner! I have always shied away from non OEM parts and I am aware there are non OEM parts available for less. However, none of them had the correct textured semi-matte finish as the OEM Mini Cooper S unit, and I can be rest assured that the internal antenna components of the OEM mini unit will meet the strictest quality standards of any major OEM manufacturer. Plus, I think the actual shape better suits the Aston's antenna base versus the conical shaped aftermarket antennas from Alta & etc. Worth every penny of the $35 price tag.

Enjoy,
007

(First set of pics of OEM Mini packaging, Second set of the stock antenna, Third set of the Mini Antenna Installed)

 

Stock Antenna Pics

 

"Sport Aero Rod" pics

 

I just installed mine. Couldn't be more pleased with this inexpensive yet functional and aesthetically pleasing mod. Great write up.

 

+1

Just did the same on my Vantage and as 007 pointed out the radio reception is actually improved vs. stock. Had the same issue as 007 with the reception cutting out which was quite annoying. All gone now.

 

I have this Antenna on both my wife's winter VW golf and on her summer Z4 coupe .
Probably will get one for the Vantage very soon as well . Much better looking than stock antenna .

 

Changing out the antenna was one of the first things I did when I got mine because all I could see was...

 

I did the same mod last summer. It is better in every way than stock.
Ron

 

Awesome, glad the write up helped out ... Aesthetically it really is one of the best & easiest mods you can do for the earlier 4.3s

 

Wondering if this carbon fiber antenna would also work. Looks like it is a direct fit for the Mini so I am thinking it should work for the vantage. The aerial sport antenna mentioned above has a flat base so I am hoping this will work. The carbon fiber may add a nice touch.


The mini aero is 3.3 inches, the carbon fiber is 3.9 inches long.


Amazon.com: GoBadges EP01 Carbon Fiber 'Union Jack' Micro Antenna: Automotive

 

don't mean to resurrect this from the dead, but this is awesome! taking a chance w/it since it's Amazon anyway and I can return if it doesn't fit.

 

It worked out great for me. Much nicer to have the smaller antenna. Super easy swap.

 

Th Mini antenna swap was the first mod I did to my Vantage. Did it at the dealer when I picked up the car!

 

Can you post a link I can click on to see the carbon antenna? I think I need to do this ?
As far as I can see the stock SL merc uses the same antenna? Or am I wrong

 

no non sponsor vendor links are allowed. but literally, copy and paste the item name into amazon's site, or hell even google. it was $26 and change with shipping and taxes for me.