All MINIs come with a stock non Harmon Kardon audio system which for most drivers is fine and will work for general listening. It's basic and works, is loud enough and doesn't cost extra and it's covered under the warranty for 4 years.

If your radio needs are AM/FM radio talk shows or easy listening with commercial CDs or MP3s then you will be fine.

The test is to get into a MINI and drive it while listening to your normal radio station or while playing your favorite CD music. If it sounds good enough then no need for the H/K audio upgrade.

Harmon Kardon offers an upgraded audio system from the factory for the MINI at a decent price for what you get. Performance is better with lots of controls to tweak the sound to your liking but it isn't geared to the average driver but one who is more demanding on good sound at near audiophile performance levels. You can spend $2500+ on upgrades and not do that much better on sound with an aftermarket system- depends on what you pay for in labor and which components you pick. No aftermarket shop will offer you a 4 year 48000 mile warranty on the radio.

If you are curious about the H/K audio then go for a drive and listen to your favorite CD or music station and see what you think. Either way it's likely to be good and much better than what most stock cars in this price range will have.

 

I have an 06 HK equipped car and it does not show the speed sensitive volume adjustment as setting.
I looked through the manual and it does not come up. I thought you might have to adjust it while you drive ( keep your eyes on the road) but it did not come up either. Only the setting for the NAV system which I don't have.

Does anybody has the same experience?
Also should my HU show ID3 tags for MP3 CDs? It currently does not and I believe my MP3 songs have ID3 tags. I checked that.

 

How can you tell if a 2003 MCS has a HC system? Could someone post photos of the differences?

 

The trim around the front door speaker grills will say harmon/kardon on it that's the easiest way to tell. Other than that...turn it on and hear the difference!!!

Steve

 

HK equipped Minis come with an amplifier which you will find mounted inside the cubby in the boot.

Non-HKs do not.

 

Sorry ,you could only hear the diff if you had two cars to compare. The car I'm looking at seems to have a pretty nice sound to it and I don't think it has the upgrade. Does the Harmon/Kardon speaker grill ID work on all the years?

 

i didnt get the H/K system knowing that i was going to upgrade upwards of 4k worth of sound stuff......and if you have to ask yes it was worth every penny. i drove from the dealership lot to get the new stereo installed. the stock stereo is made by alpine and seemed pretty good for the 3 miles i had it blaring.

i think the stock stereo system or non-H/K is easier to upgrade. thats what i have gathered from reading most threads.

 

H/K..unless you plan on upgrading everything yourself... the stock stereo suxs... both sounds the same with radio.. but the CD/MP3s are the major difference...

 

When I bought my '05 MCS, there was no question I would get the HK upgrade. Very pleased with it. For my home stereo systems, I have always had separate components since I bought my first stereo system in 1972. In 1972, I even had to build my own amplifiers. I bought a HK FM tuner 7 years ago, and still believe it is the best tuner on the market. That says alot about HK.

 

I don't know what I have(HK or non HK, does having Nav. make a diff in a 2003?) ,and I'm thinking its not the HK,but with just a little drive 20 minutes ago listening to some "power classical" music and shifting through the gears ,it was inspirational!

 

HK for all years will have:
Front speaker trim rings in silver with HARMON KARDON on them
Rear speakers are silver instead of dark
passenger side boot cubby will have an amplifier in it

 

--The H/K system basically makes the rear speakers into mini sub woofers. The bass is really good but does require some tweaking. I've customized my setup and love the clarity and responsiveness of this system. No distortion at louder volumes once tweaked. I've played it so loud so that two people in the front seats can't hear eachother even at full shout, so it's got plenty of power. The H/K setup is supposed to be custom designed for our MINI cabins and I believe it. I've listened to BOSE systems too that boasted more power than our humble 330 watt H/Ks and hands down the H/K is better. No tinny sound, bass is smooth and powerful, and it's all stealthy stock.

But like everyone said, if you're an audiophile and you know you'll want to replace the whole system later then just get the stock setup.

Hope this helps.

 

Two problems with the HK system:
1. It is extremely difficult to upgrade it on a step-by-step basis, and,
2. If it breaks out of warranty, you are gonna have fun replacing the broken part. At least I am having fun figuring out what to do about my defective amp. It looks as though I can't just go on ebay and get another one.

 

--Oh yeah if mine breaks after the 4th year, it'll go in the trash. I'll go aftermarket rather than try to stay oem. Upgrades are fun on MINIs.

~pyratio

 

I am not at all a wealthy person, but I decided to HK today.

the difference is large. stock isnt terrible, its just not great. ive heard terrible before and this definitely isnt it.

you could leave the head unit alone, get a inexpensive 4 channel amplifier, get some basic decent speakers from Best Buy, and wire them up. I bet that sounds pretty darn good without ripping out much and decreasing visual security.

that would cost like 450 dollars though. 550 is harmon kardon. I figured it was the way to go for a goth clubber like me.