Harman Kardon Drive+Play

[vansmack]

Originally posted by callat703:
  Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive?  I feel like it was the last time I checked...

Anybody want to dig up that Mini post Markie made a few years ago about not using the Mini factory option and getting your own?  
 
 I think it was like $20-$30 for him...
 
 And Kosmo, what's a CD?

[Sage 703]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by callat703:
  Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive?  I feel like it was the last time I checked...

Anybody want to dig up that Mini post Markie made a few years ago about not using the Mini factory option and getting your own?  
 
 I think it was like $20-$30 for him...
 
 And Kosmo, what's a CD? [/b]

That would be awesome, if anybody is able to sort through all of that and track it down.
 
 The Mini option, without installation, is $185.  If that's the only option I've got, then I'd be willing to do that...but obviously if I can do it for $20-30 and have it hooked into my stereo, that's the option I want.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by callat703:
  The Mini option, without installation, is $185.  If that's the only option I've got, then I'd be willing to do that...but obviously if I can do it for $20-30 and have it hooked into my stereo, that's the option I want.

I'm going to have to go back and look, but for my old man's Mini that $185 option would allow him to use his stereo to control his iPod with his stereo.  
 
 Markie's option was simply an aux plug in the back of the stereo and he ran a cable to the glove box.  He wasn't interested in controlling the iPod from his stereo, he just wanted to listen to his music.

[Sage 703]

Originally posted by vansmack:
 I'm going to have to go back and look, but for my old man's Mini that $185 option would allow him to use his stereo to control his iPod with his stereo.  
 
 Markie's option was simply an aux plug in the back of the stereo and he ran a cable to the glove box.  He wasn't interested in controlling the iPod from his stereo, he just wanted to listen to his music.

That's good to know as well - perhaps that's the way to go, since it sits in the glove box.  Thanks for the help.

[kosmo vinyl]

Originally posted by callat703:
   

Originally posted by kosmo:
  no i went with CD changer for my mini back when the cooper's were first available and since i primarily listen to music in the car via CD it's what i'll be sticking with.  if you don't have the changer then you can either go with just the audio input with no control or get something fancier like the HK system.

Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive?  I feel like it was the last time I checked... [/b]

Yes it is... It appears it more intelligent now but at one point all you really get is cable hooked up to the stereo and a jack inside the glove box, plus "expert" installation...  Now at least you can control the iPod from the stereo.
 
 One of our former forum members,  Markie who is also a Mini owner, was able to hook up a cable to the back of his unit which than had a 3.5 inch plug at the other end for the iPod.  Obviously, no fancy controls are gained from this route, but better sounding than an FM tuner and you end up with a dangling cable.

[Sage 703]

   Originally posted by kosmo:
  no i went with CD changer for my mini back when the cooper's were first available and since i primarily listen to music in the car via CD it's what i'll be sticking with.  if you don't have the changer then you can either go with just the audio input with no control or get something fancier like the HK system. Isn't the audio input that Mini offers directly outrageously expensive?  I feel like it was the last time I checked... Yes it is... It appears it more intelligent now but at one point all you really get is cable hooked up to the stereo and a jack inside the glove box, plus "expert" installation...  Now at least you can control the iPod from the stereo.

Yeah, I looked again - the new edition of it is actually more than $185, and only works with Minis from 2007 and on.  Not entirely sure what the difference between the old one and the new one is - I imagine it has some fancier interface, but it seems both can be controlled from the stereo.

[kosmo vinyl]

Originally posted by vansmack:
 
 And Kosmo, what's a CD? [/QB]

It's what I use at the Club when DJing....

[vansmack]

Originally posted by kosmo:
  One of our former forum members,  Markie who is also a Mini owner, was able to hook up a cable to the back of his unit which than had a 3.5 inch plug at the other end for the iPod.  Obviously, no fancy controls are gained from this route, but better sounding than an FM tuner and you end up with a dangling cable.

I looked for that thread but I couldn't find it.
 
 As for the dangling cable, I poked a whole in the corner of the old man's glove box and ran the cable through there.  You can't see it dangling, but it can be a pain in the ass if you don't wrap it up before you put the iPod back in the glove box.

[vansmack]

If you want the interface with your stereo, here are instructions for a self-install.
 
 If you don't want the interface, call Circuit City and ask for an aux hook up for a mini (the same hookup is used for CD changer and iPod).  Cost me about $30 and I installed it myself using the Mini owners manual to get to the radio.