I am impressed with the incredible knowledge base in this forum on stereo upgrades. Unfortunately, i dont have enough expertise to decipher half of what is being discussed so i thought perhaps i might simply ask for advice that a knucklehead like me can understand.

I have a 2010 mini convertible ( i believe that makes it an r56?) with a stock stereo and the ipod connector. The stock stereo, unfortunately, sounds something like the clock radio you get for free when you open a new checking account.

So i'd love for someone to recommend an upgrade package given the following limitations:

1) i am very good with tools, but only have basic electronics knowledge (i can do house wiring, solder, and i understand basic concepts- amps, watts, ohms, but don't ask me to match an amp with a head unit and balance the speaker impedance in a custom setup).

2) my goal is to gain the biggest improvement for only a moderate amount of effort.

3) i would never listen to pounding base, but i appreciate full rich sound that you can only get with good base performance.

4) id prefer not to give up any passenger space for an oversized amp.

5) lastly, and only if it's easy to do, i'd like my iphone 4 to work properly with the head unit. Right now, there is a fight between the controls from the car and the conrols from the iphone-- when plugged in, the car wants to force the iphone into ipod mode, but i frequently want to listen to pandora). i'd prefer to have the iphone screen control.

Can anybody suggest an appropriate package?