So I've found a perfect Countryman S at my local Dealer (Patrick Mini) and it's got everything I want EXCEPT the Harman Kardon stereo. As of right now, I know Crutchfield doesn't have any options for Countryman speaker/stereo upgrades, but I wanted to see if anyone else has any additional insight?

I listed to too much music to not want a better sounding system, and if the dealer can't do an HK upgrade, then I'll gladly get it upgraded somewhere else, just not sure where/what.

THoughts?

 

you can upgrade the speakers to whatever you like. Sewell even sells the HK speakers. the "subs" under the seats are pathetic.

I really like the JL components I put in my last vehicle. Got the HK this time to not have to tear everything apart, but its not that great for the money.

 

Why not order one and get the perfect car?

Yes, you can probably upgrade a non-HK system to sound better than the HK, but it's going to cost you and be a huge hassle.

 

I'm getting a GREAT offer for my Camry RIGHT now, so I'm kind of wanting to move on an in-stock vehicle. I've searched 8 dealerships in the Chicago/Wisconsin/Indy market and this one just happens to be 1 mile from my house.

 

i don't have HK speakers and i'm fine with it. the cost i saved from picking up a lot car as opposed to ordering one like the lot model (since it had everything else i wanted) with the HK speakers was worth well more than the value of almost any speakers. the standards do me just fine for now, upgrading the speaker system falls way down on my upgrades list, i can see maybe in 3 or 4 years.

i THINK i read somewhere these http://www.cdtstore.com/carspecific.htm BMW systems fit. i'm not 100% sure tho, the floor woofs are really tight.

*edit* also use that "it's not the perfect car" as your bargaining chip in negotiating price. dealers need to move lot cars and have a lot of flexibility in doing so. remember there's more places than just in the price to save money, when you hit the finance room any money you think you may have or may not have saved can quite possibly be made up. check what their interest rates are, right now i think they're having a .9/1.9/2.9 %.

 

Do yourself a favor and DON'T listen to a car with HK back to back with your car. I got a dealership loaner CM without the HK, and was shocked how horrible it sounded compared to mine. Not that the HK is so great, but the base system is terrible. Even telephone calls and audiobooks sounded bad.

In my opinion, the HK system is the only truly "necessary" option on the car. Well, besides heated seats.