I just recently got a 2003 MCS that has an iPod interface cable already installed on a Harmon-Kardon stereo system. In the booklet that came with the car it mentions certain software versions that will work with my stereo. It also makes no mention of the Nano model.

Will the Nano work with my 2003 version H/K stereo? If it will work with the Nano, does it matter which generation I use.

You'll have to forgive me for all the questions as I'm a real noob when it comes to iPods. I'm still trying to get caught up changing from vinyl records and cassettes to cd's. If I get an iPod, it will be my first MP3 player.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

It may depend on which iPOD interface you have(factory of after-market)
For example, if you go to this link you can see the compatibility of each iPOD with the Gateway Brand interface. I would think each brand has a similar web page chart. http://www.dension.com/dension_apple_matrix.html
Perhaps your friendly adviser at Circuit City will let you take iPODs out to your car and test them.

 

Mine is a factory installed interface. The instruction book is from MINI.

 

Also, when I plug my iPOD into my interface, it displays the brand of the interface on the iPOD screen, along with the software version.. Yours will probably do the same.

 

oops, was typing when you posted. sorry for that, HalAC.

 

Is there anyplace I can go to find out what versions of an iPod Nano would be compatible with the '03 MCs with a H/K stereo with the factory iPod cable?

The manual only mentions the following models:
"3G" 4-button 2.3
"4G" click wheel 3.02
iPod mini 1.3
iPod Photo 1.1

Doesn't mention anything about the Nano. Has anyone out there used the Nano with the factory interface?

 

It's interesting that the manual lists the iPod Photo, since that wasn't released until October 2004, and your MINI's a 2003. Of course, there's no reason why the iPod kit had to come with the car when it was new - it could have been added on later.

Regardless, it sounds like the "compatible model" list is basically saying "any iPod with a dock connector", so a nano should work fine (1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation). As for why it wasn't included on the list, the nano wasn't released until September 2005, so your iPod interface probably just pre-dates it.

 

Gen 3 Nano and iPod Classic can have problems with the OEM interface, stick to Gen 2 Nano or Video iPod or older.