So I just received my 2002 M3 without the Harmon Kardon sound system. Why ? 1. 2002 came with a CD player no charge and 2. I had heard the system wasn't worth the upcharge. Gotta tell you.. I'm not real impressed with the standard stereo, but then you get what you pay for ( or don't pay for ). Can anyone tell me if the Harmon Kardon was worth the Xtra $ ?
Other than that.. I LOVE THIS CAR !

I've had my 2001 cab for 2 months, 4000 miles. My only complaint is the average quality of the HK upgrade. I did not order my car; if I had, I would have saved the $625 or so for a quality local stereo
upgrade. I've had several cars, including my Saab 9/3 and my son's Focus with much better sound. I try to minimize this problem by enjoying the marvelous exhaust and the incredible power and finesse of this great car.

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Wow. Sounds like the HK upgrade isn't worth it at all. I'm very accustomed to having hi-fi aftermarket systems in my vehicles, but these are Fords I'm talking about and the factory stuff is terrible.

I thought the HK upgrade came with _upgraded_ 12-speakers and 2-subwoofers. Is there just not good enough amplification to make this type of system sound great?

I too have the HK upgraded stereo, thinking it would be better than the stock. I haven't listened to the stock one though (could imagine). The HK is ok. Not what i expected though. When you have music with a little bass, the speakers tend to rattle like it's too much for them to handle. The high's are good though. Compared to my sister's S4 and a Benz we have, both with Bose systems, those are much better, and the clinch is that those systems come stock. BMW's are not known for their stereos, so i guess we have to take what they give us. Stick a Bazooka in the trunk, lower the base on the head unit and i think that may be a good fix for it.

Thanks for the info. My brother has an S4. It's a great stereo for a factory system...not nearly as nice as what I can install.

I'll just pass on the HK and do my own.

I've heard both systems. The standard stereo is not bad and the HK does not make it much better.

I think a great stereo is the one in the new Lexus SC 430. The Mark Levinsons!