A few editors, including myself, have written about the Mini's stupidly designed audio controls (here and here). Last night I discovered that the stereo has sound quality to match. For reasons too uninteresting to discuss, I still carry around a full catalogue of CDs with me and last night I decided to pop in the new Muse album I downloaded from iTunes recently. It sounded awful, with virtually no mid range and the speakers sounded as if they were encased in mud. Having never listened to the CD before and knowing iTunes files can differ in quality, I immediately popped in a store-bought Coldplay CD and it too sounded awful...
I remember the last-generation Cooper S having poor sound quality, so I'm venturing to guess this is typical. Hopefully it's a speaker problem (there's six), because there's certainly no way to replace the head unit. There's a 10-speaker Premium Hi-Fi Stereo option available for $500, or you can get it bundled in the $1,500 premium package that includes a panaramic sunroof and automatic climate control. Either way, it's an absolute must-buy because the base stereo is garbage.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 11,142 miles
funkymunky says:
11:11 AM, 02/ 6/08
I think your problem is that you had a Coldplay CD. I believe that immediately sets the Mini stereo's "suck" setting.
daveflores says:
11:11 AM, 02/ 6/08
That new Muse album "Black Holes and Revelations" is friggin' amazing! And it sounds pretty sweet, too through the Rockford Fosgate premium stereo in my '08 Lancer. It's a shame the Mini's stereo blows, because it's definitely a cool car.
Actually, I'm pretty annoyed at the tendency of car manufacturers to build stereo systems into their cars that cannot easily be swapped for an aftermarket unit. One thing that kept me from seriously conidering a used Mazda 6 when I was car shopping was the fact that I would not easily be able to add an aftermarket Nav unit given that the climate controls are integrated into the stock radio. One thing that led me to buy the Lancer was that the factory Nav unit was an affordable option, and the Rockford Fosgate speaker system in the car sounds great.
jriz says:
11:26 AM, 02/ 6/08
Considering that we too have an O8 Lancer, I'll make sure to give it a whirl.
blueguydotcom says:
11:47 AM, 02/ 6/08
Cooper's stereo sucks. Is this big shock? I've had two 330is (e46/e90) and their stereos were horrid too. You can't expect much from the BMW-guys as they see (and I agree) thay car stereos are not that important. Turn off the radio and enjoy the sound of the engine. :)
ahightower says:
11:52 AM, 02/ 6/08
I thought I was the last person in the world that didn't have an iPod and kept 48 CD's in my car. I guess many people put mp3's onto CD's instead of using mp3 players? Why? I'm so out of touch with reality. I'll probably buy and try to learn how to use an iPod soon, since my new car has an Aux jack and my commute is longer than it used to be. But somehow having three kids has stunted my former passion (and budget) for all things electronic.
louiswei says:
12:09 PM, 02/ 6/08
Don't have iPod here either, 6 CDs with 100+ songs each is all I need.
7driver says:
12:34 PM, 02/ 6/08
Actually, my worry is that the premium audio option would suck too. What guarantee is there that my hard earned $500 will improve the situation?
bemanix88 says:
12:52 PM, 02/ 6/08
Hooray, another example of BMW charging out the ass for things that should have been standard.
jriz says:
01:36 PM, 02/ 6/08
"What guarantee is there that my hard earned $500 will improve the situation?"
Couldn't tell you. Although the Harmon Kardon stereo in my 10-year-old Z3 sounds excellent -- even when playing an iPod or portable XM through the tape deck.
blueguydotcom says:
01:45 PM, 02/ 6/08
bermanix, or BMW knowing its audience. Many of the people who buy BMWs tend to like the ala carte ordering. For those of us who value fun over frilly things (sunroof, dual climate control, navi, leather) we can slide into the car at a lower price point.
I wouldn't want a better stereo as mine barely gets turned on as is. If the stereo broke today my appreciation for the Cooper S' fun wouldn't change.
jr1m90 says:
02:17 PM, 02/ 6/08
The problem with comparing audio systems is that people can never agree on what is exactly a 'good' or 'great' stereo sounds like. One person's flat equalizer settings can sound completely lacking in bass to someone else. Different kinds of music also sound different on the same stereo (electronic versus acoustic rock, for example).
I'd say the biggest problem with the Mini might be it's small cabin. Smaller interior means a smaller sound stage, so who knows what the upgraded system would sound like.
tmanz says:
03:59 PM, 02/ 6/08
"so who knows what the upgraded system would sound like."
Okay, everyone stop by your local Mini dealer tonight and compare :)
cartester16 says:
04:07 PM, 02/ 6/08
Yeah, gotta say the Harmon Kardon "upgrade" in my 3er doesn't even sound as good as the stock/base unit in my old '99 VW Golf did. I'm no audiophile, so it doesn't bother me that much I guess. The Bose system in my SLK rocks them both out. That's a nice system, even with the top down. I also lament the newer systems being tough to upgrade/change. Frankly, I always keep that in mind during my pruchasing decisions now, just in case the stock stereo sucks, or if the car doesn't offer the latest formats/connectivity...
bimmerjay says:
06:52 PM, 02/ 6/08
+1, jr1m90. A lot of people just want lots of bass or other "loud" and call that a good system.
IMO the BMW/Lexicon 13-speaker Logic 7 system sounds great and is nicely customizable. Not sure if that quality made it down to the Mini's optional premium system.
oohno says:
12:23 AM, 02/ 7/08
Haha, I'm pretty sure there aren't violins in any of Coldplay's songs.
sddoc07 says:
04:29 AM, 02/ 7/08
Um, funkymunky your name says everything I want to know about your music taste...and oohno? You need to listen to "A Rush of Blood to the Head" and reconsider your statement. For those of us who like Coldplay, check out their song with Kanye West - it's pretty cool!
eldaino says:
08:14 AM, 02/27/08
you should have put in a radiohead cd...they make every stereo sound better. ;)
oohno, i'm pretty sure you haven't heard any of coldplay's songs then.
sddoc07: i didn't know they did a song with mr. west, sounds cool!
funkymunky: um...yeah.