I had a $2000 system in my old MR2 (in 1990 dollars) and it was leagues better than the HK. I find the mids and lows get really muddy at anything above moderate levels of volume. It's worth the money but I have to say this - the stock Pioneer system (not the upgraded Nackamichi) in my wife's Lexus RX300 sounds MUCH better than the HK. Why??? Maybe after I get a CD changer for my Ci, I'll change my mind (casettes sound decent). But, the BMW with HK is definitely not the Ultimate Listening Machine!