I don't know if it was a new code or not. I'm not sure if it is car or person specific either. I can give you the code and you could try it. Let me know and I can PM you. It took 4 days to get a new code. The service dept has to call a tech center. Don't bother calling miniusa they have no idea although they did give me navteq 800 number I guess to call and gripe about it? I never called though.

 

matt.... Thanks so much for the info. I'll call my MA, Service Manager and get things stirred up and let them know what you guys had to do.
I doubt the new code would work as I think there specific related , but if your willing to send it I've got a whole Sunday to kill, really don't want to enter the existing code for the 50th time But you know I will! Calling the Navtech # a long shot but the more I nag I'm sure won't hurt! I can handle waiting 3-4 even 5 days, I just don't want this to get sidevtracked as it seems my dealership is pretty busy with deliveries. Does you Mini dealership actually have a service dept. ? Or share it with the BMW shop next door as mine.
Sometimes I feel more importance falls on the 60,-70,-80 thousand $$ + + vehicles. Thanks again for your time I'd be happy to try the code if you forward it

 

Had the same problem with the non-functioning code. Dealer eventually had to get a new code from corporate; said that, indeed, the codes were only valid for a limited period of time. It was annoying because I had to take the car back in 4 days after I bought it.

 

Thanks PDM.... Sounds like that is the issue. I did let my MA & service manager know. You needed to bring the countryman in ?? Could not activate on your own?

 

No, it seems like they should have been able to give it to me to do myself, but I didn't push.

 

Here's another one. Once you go through the rigamorale of selecting your presets, and THEN go into the preset screen and select "Station Info," you get song/artist info from Sirius XM. So far, so good, right? It even stays on the screen while you are scrolling through the stations (though, as I mentioned above, with no split screen that's the only thing on the screen).

Except when you get to an FM station in the presets. That dumps you into the screen for selecting station info, rather than just SHOWING YOU THE STATION INFO.

The unified preset list is kind of cool except for this.

 

This would be perfect if you could also save sat stations under favorites. I really think they spent too much time on the apple integration and not enough time on the flow of using them whole system.

 

I don't know about the rest of you, but part of the reason I bought Connected was because they could update it. Can we get someones ear at MINI to find out when they plan on updating it? They obviously can't think that everything is ok when the title of this thread is what it is.

Check, check 1.....2.....3 is this thing on??

Anybody from MINI looking at NAM??

 

I filled out the initial survey and asked to be contacted. Someone called and I explained the Preset/Serius display issue. I also sent her Pics by email to show the issue. She said she would pass it along. In my acura RDX, there were updates to the way the system functioned.

 

I would also argue that this is great ammunition for NAM to setup a central Connected forum - I'm sure all the other MINI owners with the new a/v stuff have opinions, too... If you think about the size of the MINI customer base vs. board population, there's got to be a pretty good sample size for MINIUSA to listen to.

 

The Connected "app" has indeed been updated. And more than once. It is the Connected/Nav onboard system firmware that we are discussing here. MINI has always claimed that features/functions will improve with the "app" but have not stated same for the onboard system. Yes there is tons of room for improvement. Yes the system can easily be updated via USB. No there have been no promises implied or otherwise (as far as I can tell) regarding any updates other than for the "app", Bluetooth device support and navigation maps.

With that all said, I am hoping that MINI delivers system updates which improve the UI of the onboard Connected/Nav system. However, I also have come to terms with the fact that I may just have to live with the system as it it. Not trying to dampen enthusiam, I would cheer the loudest for an upgrade, just trying to be realistic. It is also possible that significant upgrades are made for the next model year and they are not provided to us.

 

Agree 100%. I made same suggestion to mods many weeks ago. "Connected" needs its own forum without regard to model.

 

Do you get "free" map upgrades when you have NAV? For life?

I'm considering the NAV pack for my order and trying to figure out if my portable Garmin Nuvi is a better choice (used the dashmount for some years now in other cars without problems).

Mike.

 

From what I've heard and seen, BMW is much better at making cars than navigation systems. If I was going to get one, I'd get a Nuvi, not the MINI/BMW nav.

 

You won't get free map updates. You'll have to buy those. As far as which to use, it's just a matter of what you are accustomed to. If you love the portable system you are using now, you probably won't like the Mini NAV. I have the built in NAV and love it. I haven't had the nrgative reaction to it hat some have had.

 

anybody stir the pot with the OP's issues? Much of what he states is my finding on my 2012 JCW, just off the boat. I also came from 208 BMW idrive, wow, I never thought I would miss it so much. I would pay $10.00 just to get my sources button do a REAL round robin through the sources, not just AM/FM. Uh, satellite? USB?

 

I'm passing this on to my better half who has a 2011 Cooper Hatch and DESPISES this system. I have to tell you, I don't drive the car much but it's pretty terrible. Here's another quip: half the nav screen in 3D mode is taken up by SKY AND CLOUDS. How about showing more roads or what's on the radio?

And why in God's name is it multiple clicks and taps just to see what's playing on the Sirius station you're listening to? As a Mac/iPhone user, I feel like I'm using Windows 3.1. I have to say, I'm thinking of getting a countryman and I just don't understand why mini doesn't offer Bluetooth streaming as a stand alone option because there's no way I'm spending $2750 on this system when I can get an A2DP adapter for $25 and stream Pandora and Nav from my iPhone.

 

Anyone know how we get the attention of Mini? Should we start an online petition? They needs to invest some resources in improving the interface - especially the horrible satellite interface. There has not been one major upgrade/overhaul of the UI since it was launched. We have been patient but there should be an upgrade by now. Cmon Mini.

 

Their technology office is located right off the 101 in Palo Alto. We should drive over at lunch time:

BMW and Mini Technology Center
555 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA

 

I'm ok with it, but meh, I liked my 2008 bmw better. I wish I went "stripped" and just used my iphone for all this stuff. I am a software developer, and hate non usable designs. Who wants to click and toggle yourself into a tree? I want to listen to music and drive. When the phone rings, I want to answer it.

 

I wish MINI would get together with Apple to build a modern, intuitive car stereo UI. Or, at the bare minimum, MINI could add support the AirPlay protocol that allows iPhones and iPads to wirelessly send audio and on screen content to AppleTV's. If this were the case, the Mini screen could just function as a display for whatever's on your iPad or iPhone.

 

suggestion to mini....how about using the speedo area for a docking station (ipod or otherwise)...isnt it redundant to have two screens anyway?

 

That might possibly be coming on the future... I saw a concept for a Mini Vespa-type scooter (it's called the Mini Scooter E), and it has that sort of interface:



Who knows, maybe Mini will apply that to some of their models in the future? I'd be TOTALLY down with that.

 

I recently picked up my 2012 MINI Countryman with the full electronics package including the Connected and NAV.

Its something that takes a bit of time to get used to for sure.

It would be great for more video options (plugins?), i have kids, which is why i opted for the 5 seater, and i would really like to play movies from netflix, hulu or air video.. not just stuff on itunes... And yes i would also prefer to use it while not parked...for the kids to watch... I dont see the difference from seeing NAV or having a show playing... I know hacks exist (ground to brake) but i dont want to open up anything on my dash...

The satelite radio presets are useless.. or i just cant figrue them out... Its so convoluted... I played with the mini connected apps for like an hour and they got old.. Now i only use mini connected for pandora radio from my iphone 4.

I am still waiting for an Iphone 4 dock, the dam cable keeps getting knocked out when i use the emergency brake, and that screaching sound when the cable is loose!!! OUCH!!

I LOVE my MINI!! But the connected/NAV needs work for sure!!

 

Not sure that was the idea behind mini connected, to be able to play netflix or whatever on a pretty small screen that's tought enough to navigate from, never mind have kids in the back seat try to view. My daughter enjoyed all that growing up…well not netflix but vhs tapes, dvd's but that was in a mini van set up for entertainment in the rear seats. How about portable dvd players…even headphones. As far as waiting for the cradle…you'll be doing less with the phone docked to the cradle than available with the Y cable. Extend the cable if need be. Admittedly it all does take a bit to figure out…and we're still waiting for things like Office, emails, calendars, appointments..etc to work right…and some of us have been waiting well over a year. Just my thoughts