Replacing my stolen MCS- here's the new spec:
 

Comments certainly welcome! I intend to place an order tomorrow. This is very similar to the stolen EB/W car, except the color change. This is a daily driver...

PW/B (but HB/W is still a contender - gotta see it for real)
Stripes
Cold package
DSC
Limited Slip Diff (in case I ever want to Works it after my teenage son has left home)
16" wheels in silver - I'll never get white again!
Fogs front and rear
Xenons
Grey/Black leatherette - the dog was too rough on the Lapiz leather in the EB
Antracite trim and headliner
Sunroof

Thoughts on sound? Is the H/K worth it? We will definately get an iPod adapter as the source.

Thanks

with the H/K... Did you like the stereo in your last car? Was it H/K or not? If it was, youll regret NOT getting it... but if you didnt have it before and didnt mind the radio, keep your $500...... Use it towards the iPod adapter :)

The last car was not H/K, but its one of those things where we don't know what we might have been missing. I was going to upgrade the speakers, but never got around to it.

No cruise control/MFSW?

H/K is worth it. all my passengers are surprised that I don't have a box in the trunk and still making that thumping base.

also if i was u, i'll just get aux input rather than ipod adaptor. because it's so much easier to control ipod by the ipod wheel than using buttons in the car. and u'll save a couple hundred bucks if u put it in urself (which is very easy)

Yeah, definetely get the MFSW not just because you'll get cruise control (Think future resale) but also if you are planning on doing an iPod integration (whether OEM or Aftermarket), you'll have a pretty well rounded out audio system. Also, the convenience/safety to be able to control your stereo and iPod from the steering wheel is priceless.

I love my H/K stereo in my '05 MCS. I also have the OEM ipod adaptor which I use in conjuction with my 4GB Black Apple Nano iPod

The rest of the spec is nice (I would do away with the sunroof but that's me).

How about the Convenience Package? (Well worth it IMO)

LSD?

fyi, another reason aux is better is that, if you use ipod for more than your car, (i.e. joggin, walking, etc...) you'll notice decrease in ipod's battery life. for example, say you go to pick up something at a market and the drive is like 10 minutes. your adaptor will charge your ipod when it really doesn't need to be. do that for couple months and it will lead to shorter ipod battery life. just like your cellphone battery. you should only charge your ipod when the battery is almost dead, you shouldn't charge it when the batter is used half way.

if your ipod would stay in your car all the time, no need to worry about ipod battery.. just FYI...

I don't buy it. I used to have the AUX jack in my '04 MCS and now I have the OEM iPod adaptor in my '05 MCS. Light years better in every respect. I personally never liked the cable clutter and having the need for an iPod holder and a separate charge cable.

Now with the iPod adaptor I have a clean and transparent installation. My ipod Nano neatly tucks away inside the glovebox compartment and have thus eliminated all the cable clutter I had before. Plus now I can control volume, playlist and track access either from the H/K headunit or the MFSW buttons. Simply put, no comparison. Having said all this, however, the iPod adaptor is not a 100% perfect solution (It won't display ID3 tags) but it beats the AUX input hands down in functionality, integration and sound quality (Dock port vs headphone jack).

I have had no battery problems in my ipod to speak of so far

I would consider anthracite wheels (don't know if they come in 16) but they look really nice on the PW/B combo.

As far as I know, anthracite wheels are only available in the 17" R90 rim size. They are very expensive too. OEM choices for 16" wheels are mostly silver/white.

The standard MCS hardtop V-spokes weigh a reasonably 17 pounds per rim. The standard rims on the MCS convertible are also 16" size but they are slightly lighter than the hardtop's V-spokes at around 16.8 pounds per rim.

The 17" R90's are around 20-21 pounds per rim. The "S-lItes" which should have been called "Boat Anchors" weigh around 25 pounds each! Ouch!:lol:

The Dension Ice Link is a better Ipod adapter from what I have read. That is what I am getting, but My Mini is not due in until the beginning of March. I am getting HB/B. SB/S is also another great combo.

Actually, the types of batteries that iPod's use benefit from staying topped off all the time. Li-Ion batteries (same in most new cell phones) like to be charged. For more info read this page: http://www.apple.com/batteries/ .

Li-Ion batteries are susceptible to heat in particular, which will shorten their life. Extreme cold also prevents them from functioning properly, but that's because the battery is too cold for ions to move around and create electricity, but won't shorten battery life.

So charge your iPod when you want, it's good for it. Every once in a while, though, it is good to empty it and re-charge just to condition the battery.

You are entirely correct. With the IceLink, you get ID3 tags, better functionality, and you can also choose to use your Ipod menu instead, much better versatility than the OEM adaptor.

HK is worth it, iPod adapter is not (in my opinion). It depends on how much of a music enthusiast you are. If you love your music like I do, and thrive on having a large collection at your fingertips, being restricted to five playlists (or whatever it is) is absurdly pointless.

Good luck with the new car!!!

all that battery talk is completely untrue.

the iPod uses a lithium polymer battery and has no need for monitoring how you charge it. Just use it as you need it.

the dock connection ipod integration is hands down the best becuase they have the BEST sound, charges it, and can control form the steering wheel

i agree that stinks but there are also other opitons. neo iOn gives you all the good functionality, no playlist restritions, ability to use the ipod interface or steering wheel and an extra aux inout as well for 150 or so.

I also changed the iPod firmware for a friend in the meantime so the on the go playlist is called "MINI1" so he can change his playlists on the go.