New MINI JCW - no HK audio...?

[Zetec-S]

Hi all, just after a few thoughts please. We placed an order last month for a new JCW hatch, specifically with the HK audio as we have that in our current
2019 Clubman and it's far superior to the basic system we had in our previous (2017) hatch.

However, the much publicised chip shortage means we've just been told by the dealer that it won't come with the HK system. Has the basic system improved since 2017? Is there much difference with the head unit/interface or is it mainly the speakers which are different?

My wife is a little pissed, partly because the dealer didn't actually tell us until she phoned and asked, but also she is partially deaf so likes the clarity from the HK system so doesn't want to go back to something similar to the 2017 system.

Are their any straight swap after market systems we could fit?

[Zetec-S]

Yes, we have a similar situation where we're quite happy with the rest of the spec and it's a pretty good deal. We've obviously got the £600 reduction and are going to pop down to the dealers tomorrow to have a quick reminder of what the basic system sounds like. TBH I'm not as bothered, but it's my wife's car and she's more concerned (for the reasons I put in my initial post), I'm hoping she'll find it "acceptable", at least for the short term (#1stworldproblems, I know )

That audison system looks great, although I'm not sure we'd be prepared to stretch to the full system. Do you reckon the door speakers on their own would make much difference? The amp is probably a bit more than I'd be prepared to spend, and although I'd stretch to the subwoofers, without the amp I don't really think it would be worth it.

Edited by Zetec-S on Thursday 10th June 12:33

[Zetec-S]

Just as a follow up we popped down to the dealers at the weekend and sat in one of their cars without HK for a test, and to be fair there's not as big a difference as I thought. I think the standard system has improved a little over the last few years compared the the one we had in our 2017 hatch. Having the apple carplay also seems to makes a difference compared to the basic bluetooth connection.

We'll see how things go, maybe further down the line we'll look at aftermarket options if we feel we want to spend the extra money. Car is scheduled to go into production today so fingers crossed we might see it in a couple of weeks

[Zetec-S]

stevemcs said:

HK really wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me

Bungleaio said:

From what I can determine from speaking to various places the base audio has increased in quality but the Harmon kardon has been reduced in quality over recent years.

As per my post a couple of days ago, we sat in a new Mini hatch without HK and there wasn't a massive difference between that and the HK system we have in our current Clubman. Fears were allayed and we're going ahead with the order, depending on how we feel we might go aftermarket in the future but it's not something we'll rush into doing.

Pretty impressed with the turnaround - we placed the order on 22nd May and apparently it's just come off the production line, hopefully ready to pick up by next weekend

[Zetec-S]

JimReap3r said:

Zetec-S said:

As per my post a couple of days ago, we sat in a new Mini hatch without HK and there wasn't a massive difference between that and the HK system we have in our current Clubman. Fears were allayed and we're going ahead with the order, depending on how we feel we might go aftermarket in the future but it's not something we'll rush into doing.

Pretty impressed with the turnaround - we placed the order on 22nd May and apparently it's just come off the production line, hopefully ready to pick up by next weekend

Hey all. Brand new to the forum as I was looking about news as I too had been told no HK on my new JCW that I ordered. I did the same as you and asked to try out the non HK sound in a demo car. Seemed decent as the BMW I have now has HK in it.

I was just wondering as I placed my order on the 14th May and mine's not scheduled for a build until the 30th August.....so...very....confused. Hopefully mine is brought forward. Did you know the build date before or did you get a notification of the build plan?

Anyways, hope you enjoy it!!!

When we placed the order we didn't know how long it would be, but then the dealer called us a few days later to give us an estimate of early July. Then about a week later said he reckoned end of June, and then we got a call last week saying it would arriving Monday, so Tuesday afternoon my wife picked it up from the dealers

I think we were lucky with ours though, apparently the dealer managed to hijack a factory build slot which is why we got ours so quickly. I think a lot of people are being told August/September. The lack of HK is not as bad as we thought, we might end up with the Audison system (or part of it) in the future but to be honest I think it's fine as it is.

As for enjoying it... well it's my wife's car, I haven't had a chance to drive it yet (other than 30 seconds to swap it around on the driveway ) Hoping I'll get a chance at the weekend...