Just purchased my first MC... and love everything about it with one exception... the Harmon Kardon sound system is great but does not display ID3 tags which not only makes it a pain to navigate in a single disc system... but also discourages one from considering expanding the system by adding a changer which would only compound the confusion. One answer would be to move to an aftermarket replacement... however, I have grown very attached to the "Steering Wheel Controls"... and from what I've gathered surfing the various audio sites nothing jumps out at me as a solution to this dillema... Does anyone know if Harmon Kardon plans on rectifying this glaring omission or any other (reasonable) path to ID3 Tag enlightenment ?

 

Nope.
You can check out www.newministuff.com for options which allow you to keep the MFSW while adding a head unit which supports ID3 tags.

 

There's not many USA aftermarket stereos that can take a wired remote - the Alpine CDA9857 is one. This thread on MINI2 maintained by NewMINIstuff lists the options. There's also the PAC SWI-X which is an IR device and can be programmed to work with almost any aftermarket HU that has an IR remote (but you have to find somewhere to fit the IR LED)

NOTE:
If your car has the Harman Kardon upgrade, you'll need the HKenabler if you want an aftermarket HU

 

Really like the Kenwood motorized-screen units listed on that site (UK obviously... and apparently not available on US sites ???)... my MC came with radio boost and the HK speaker system... so if I can't find that Kenwood equiv here in the states... do you know if the the UK version HU and supporting hardware necessary to connect to my amp/speakers and MFSW would work and provide US compatibility/functionality ? ... please excuse my ignorance... I have no clue when it comes to the differences that may exist between these two (i.e. the UK and US)...

Thanks...

 

The Kenwood that was until recently in GBMINI was bought from NewMINIstuff, with all fittings; see:
http://www.gbmini.net/wp/2005/04/mik...sends_package/
and:
http://www.gbmini.net/wp/2005/04/new..._installation/

Of course if you bought a nav version, the database would be useless, but otherwise the only differences of note are:
The FM tuner goes in 0.05MHz steps instead of 0.2MHz steps so I guess it takes a little longer to search
The AM tuner goes in 9KHz steps instead of 10KHz steps so some frequencies can't be tuned - but who listens to AM now!?

 

Appreciate the information very much... and the pictorial overview(s)... wow! ... nice job...