According to my saleslady, the BMW's 6 disk changer doesn't handle any other CD types than CD Audio. Is this true? What are the alternatives to this $620.00 add-on?

Yes that's true -- CD only.
I believe the alternatives are as follows:
Used BMW changer (~$200 on eBay)
Alpine CHA-S634 ($300 new) with $120 BlitSafe adapter and $10 AI-M adapter.
Phatbox 20-40GB hard drive player ($900)

All 3 allow full control from the stock unit and steering wheel. The Alpine is the most common - it is the MP3 capable version of the $620 stock BMW/Alpine unit but needs the adapters for BMW's proprietary interface. There is also Sony changer and a connects2 adapter but maybe for the european Boost radio only? Blitsafe has a couple of lesser-known competitors, like Ventura Technology and Soundbox or something?

I purchased my BMW cd changer from E-bay... Brand new in the box with all the papers for $220.00 or so... got the mounting bracket from my dealer for $24.00. It went in in 10mins... works great, however sometime skips on rough roads... where the head unit never skips for me. Works with all the MFSW controls... you can only play cd's.... There are several threads on how to install... check out the links section... Good luck... Paul

Wow ! :smile:

I purchased the add-on from the dealership and it does play home made MP3 CD's. I haven't had any problems with the CD skipping.

Good luck!
Rogene

MP3's? Really?

I have the BMW 6 cd changer that I got out of my M3. It was a brand new item when installed right before they sold it to me.

I'll sell it for $150 - I don't need it and it's just sitting there.

email me at kapolani@hotmail.com

SUBJECT LINE = BMW cd changer

Vespa qrote:
>>I believe the alternatives are as follows:
>>Used BMW changer (~$200 on eBay)
>>Alpine CHA-S634 ($300 new) with $120 BlitSafe adapter and $10 AI-M adapter.
>>Phatbox 20-40GB hard drive player ($900)
>>
>>All 3 allow full control from the stock unit and steering wheel.

The Phatbox sounds like a cool device for the MINI - speaking track names, etc.
Does anyone have this working in the MC or MCS?
Is it compatible with the HK upgrade?