After doing lots of searches, I still need help. Here are parameters:

•I'm so old-school I just got over being thrilled at the idea of being able to burn my own cds on my Mac off of Itunes. •Got kind of excited after checking out my daughter's Ipodnano at the idea of being able to record hundreds of tunes, podcasts, etc. and listen in my '06 MC - have a long commute and hate fumbling with cds. •Got substantially less geeked about it when there seemed to always be a negative - IcelinkPlus shorting out other electrical functions; official bmwadapter requiring disassembly of half the dashboard to install. I don't mind any reasonable installation costs (please don't suggest I do it myself, I'm completely inept) but I don't want to end up with a bunch of dash rattles or problems. •Finally, someone posted that the '06 head unit plays Mp3 discs, which apparently hold a lot more than the cds I've been burning (told you I was ignorant). Does that hold true for my HK? If I can get away with about $150 for a clean, no damage to my dash integrity install and enjoy the advantages of in Ipod, I'm there - I'm in Orange County, SoCal.

sorry for the length of post. any help & info welcome

 

Hey There

How about recording your own MP3 cd's?
I wonder if the Hk will play them?? Then you wouldnt have to worry about modifying anything or dismantling your dash
Does anyone know if the HK Head will play MP3 CD's??

 

Easiest Ipod solution is the OEM Auxillary Input. $40. Add the Belkin power adapter and cupholder mounted holder, and you're golden for less than $100. If you don't need to power it (i.e. you charge it at home), then you only need the input.
You can probably find a MINI person down there to help you install - only takes a few minutes, and you don't need to take anything apart unless you want to do a hard mount of the input. The dealer would happily take your $100+ to do it for you. Personally, I wouldn't bother, since you need a male/male cable to connect to it anyway.

 

It will play MP3 Cds, so if that's enuff for you you're golden. It didn't seem like the original poster wanted to swap CDs while driving though (I'm with him on that) and has a long drive so the iPod is ideal. The aux sounds like it would be fine for him, although I still think that if you have the steering wheel controls the iPod adapter is the way to go - I think its less then $100 from Classic and perhaps a fellow NAMer could help with the install.

 

I realize this guy doesnt want to be changing Cd'S but recorded as Mp3 disc you can have upwards of 200 songs on a 702Mb disc with no cost at all!!
Just a thought

 

Thanks guys - The Mp3 might work - but if the aux input gives great sound quality, I don't mind charging the Ipod at home at all - and I don't have the steering wheel controls anyway -