I have just bought a Ford BA Mark II with standard sound system. I want to play MP3s. Are my choices to run either an IPOD type device thru the AUX lead, or install a complete MP3 CD player in the tissue box and connect thru the AUX lead (from behind the fuse box). Any advice helpful. Also seems Ford sell two leads from AUX plug - one about $30 and one with preamp ? for about $100. hich to use ?
Phil

I just bought an FM transmitter that plugs into the headphone socket on my laptop or any other audio device that has a headphone socket. Its battery powered (lasts around 6hrs) or can be powered/charged via USB or cigarette lighter. I got it from Di ck Smith for about $60 and it works well even up to 15mt from the pickup device. I got it mainly for my laptop so at parties i can play tunes from laptop through my car system.

in my experience nothing beats an aftermarket head deck i have my alpine in the tissue box holder and the only problem i have is that i have to have the car in neutral or drive to eject a cd. but if your not a fan alpine have a unit which integrates itself into the standard ford system as long as you get the premium console you're all set for mp3's

only problem is cost$$

in the company car (magna) i just use a eBay $20 FM transmitter and it works fine and doesn't need battery's (plugs in to the cigarette lighter

get Ford dealer to install AUX plug and cable. much better sound quality than fm transmitter, easy to do yaself but im just lazy... cost i think 160

Avoid the fm transmitter idea if possible, the ipod through the aux lead would be the easiest option especially if your happy with the rest of the system...

theres a pdf document stating how to make the cable on one of these fourms. i made one for my ba ute an works great, all for about 4.50 i think an easy to install.

u need the length of shielded 3 core wire to where u want the connection to be, some 2.5mm spade terminals an a 5cm single core cable, an one stereo headphone socket.

connect the 3 core cable to the socket, put spade terminals on the end, connect it to the white connector behind ur fusebox, try find the article of which spades go where into the plug, an the 5 cm cable just spade each side of it form a u with it an connect it to the ground input n sense input to the same white connector, ull have to find the document once again to find out which are which,

the stereo has a negative, left+, right+, ground, sense, the ground sense detects the cable fitted so u can turn the aux option on

holy crap! i hope ur talkin bout the amplified one..... im lazy but seriously, the lead (non-amplified) cost me $27 from ford, u lay under ur dash plug it in and route it around to the tissue box holder....not the hardest thing to do...

If you're happy with the sound of the system as is. get the AUX lead (amped one is best), and an ipod (or something better).

If you're not happy with the sound of the system (I wasn't), full aftermarket is the go. I've added a DVD HU, all new speakers and wiring, two amps, sound deadening, and more. Worth it to me, as the stock (even premium system in the GT-P) sounded s**t to me.

edit: There is however a middle ground. While upgrading, I had a time where I'd replaced the stock speakers, while still using the stock HU, the speakers made a significant difference to sound quality. For many this may be enough, if they're happy with the features of the stock ICC.