R53 with tape deck/6CD changer & HK upgrade - iPod options?

[JamesK]

Slightly long winded title but I seem to be stuck in a small hole regarding iPod connectivity and upgrade options. If I tell you all what I know (have been told) can anyone put me straight?

I have the tape deck stereo (laughable on a 55 plate but there you go) with a 6 CD changer as the aux output as I understand it.

I also have the Harmon Kardon upgrade with subwoofer and amp. The sound is fantastic and I do not want to lose this.

I enquired about having the BMW iPod connection lead fitted but was told that this only goes straight onto the CD headunit, not the tape one. This was the audio out lead that connects to the headphone socket the powered lead that goes into the bottom of the iPhone and charges etc is ludicrously expensive - £200 fitted or some such nonsense.

Rather than use a crappy FM connection I'd prefer to just get a better headunit BUT I gather this can cause a problem with getting the headunit to communicate with the amp without a further wiring adapter.

Is any of that right? Does anyone have any definitive experiences of upgrading - ie what wiring adaptor, facia plate etc? An aftermarket stereo that doesn't look like a halfords ram raid?

[Bungleaio]

Easy job

One of each of these

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=pr...

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=pr...

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=pr...

And if you have got a MFSW then one of these

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=pr...

This should enable you to still change the settings on your HK audio by pressing a button that you mount on the dash somewhere rather than on the head unit itself.

If you give new mini stuff a call and explain what you are doing and the spec of your car they will probably do you a deal on buying all the bits together.

As for head units I've got one of the ones below in my MINI and it's a great bit of kit. The display is variable colour so it matches the orange of the rest of the dash lights pretty well. It charges my iPhone 4 and I'm pleased with it. The bluetooth is nice to have as well, there is another model without that if you don't need bluetooth.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/ken-kdcbt92sd-kenw...

I also bought the centre arm rest from new mini stuff and routed the iPhone cable into it.

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=pr...

[JamesK]

Thanks for that I'd seen some of those parts linked on other forums. I have a 3 spoke MFSW so that looks like I need £100 worth of cables before I even consider a new headunit!!

Can't believe there isn't a 1 cable solution to this really - even at the expense of the CD changer (which I will NEVER use).

[Defcon5]

There is

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f229/auxillary-inp...