[sparoz]

My wife drives 125i with standard Audio, and I had a 135i with HK. Now, 1M with HK. Compare to my previous BMWs, the standard system is much more adequate, but by no means great. For non-audiophile, the standard system is definitely acceptable.

The HK in Aus was > $2k option, and you can get something similar for normally half the price including installation with aftermarket. Would I go aftermarket? --> No, because you loss the integration with the iDrive, and who knows what sort of impact it will have in the resale.

For a small amount, I would op for the better system though - as I enjoy any improvement of SQ.

To be honest, haven't been in a car that I am impressed with the stock audio - even the ones with the prestige names like Dyn Audio, Mark Levison or B&O. The best I had been in was my custom system I had which cost about $4k, which, to the honest truth, really is just on par with home systems half the price.