First off, thanks to all that have spent time on this forum answering questions and posting insight...I can tell that this will be a great forum to spend some time.

Finally placing my order on Monday morning...a little nerve racking as I am buying this car without actually seeing one in person/taking one for a drive as the nearest dealer is about 1200 miles away. Have done tons of research, had a buddy I trust check one out, and my mind is made up. When the order is placed I'll give all the details, but there is one that I'm torn on: NAVIGATION.

Where I live (Alaska) I don't really see me using it that much/at all. However, I'll be driving it back home over 3000 miles this summer (picking up in the lower 48) and Im sure it would come in handy there. Those that have it, how do you like it now that you've had it awhile? I've searched the forums and most posts are made right after purchase complaining or praising it, but none with a few weeks perspective. Looking to see if your thoughts changed over time. Those that passed, what were your reasons?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

I like the nav, if only because you get more information about the car vs the little window in the tach. Had it in my 07 MCS, have it now, and there are a lot of improvements in the nav itself. I think it's worth the money.

 

Perhaps a stupid question, but if I do get Connected (not Connected+Nav) wouldn't I have the bigger display to show info as well? Or is some of the auxiliary information about the car only displayed within the NAV interface?

 

Alaska = All4 and cold package. The 17-inch wheels have a lot more tire options. I don't have Nav, but my cell phone (droid) has navigation with turn by turn voice calls that works very well. Don't have connected as I don't have an Iphone.

 

Make sure you get a complete printed copy of the order from the dealer at the time you place the order. Then triple check the print out to ensure all the correct factory options are ordered per your wishes. There are so many options, it is very easy to miss something or make a mistake. Later on, the owner's lounge may have errors or ommissions in your order and you will want your print out to refer to in case of any discrepancies. Don't worry about the Owner's Lounge order list, as the software is not always up-to-date and therefore your order cannot be listed 100% correct online. It will be your print out of the order that backs you up should there be any issues about what you ordered.

 

As another member posted, before you sign the order double and triple check it for accuracy. Then when your VIR (vehicle inquiry report) is forwarded to you from your MA make sure your order is correct right away. You should receive your VIR within a day or two after your order. Our order and VIR was flawless and the whole process was wonderful. We have a great MA.

As far as the navigation package I decided to go with the new Garmin Nuvi for under $300. It comes with a suction cup mount and for another $25 you can get a cigarette lighter adaptor.

It's all a matter of personal preference however. Some want an all-in-one set up with no wires, etc "suum cuique" (to each his own).

Personally, I like the ability to use the Garmin GPS from vehicle to vehicle and as well as the need to be able to use it while walking in an unfamiliar neighborhood (which is pretty rare for us).

Additionally, also as a boat owner I prefer to have separate instruments rather than "all in one" just in case one of them fails you don't have to sacrifice all the others and be left with nothing while the whole unit is returned to the manufacturer for repair.


Just my $0.02

Good luck with your order and with your new CM when it arrives. We are extremely happy with ours which we took delivery on this past Thursday

 

Get the Xenons w/ Adaptive Light Control.

 

Advice? Just have a lot of patience in waiting

Everyone else here is spot on especially triple checking your order. Enjoy!

 

Get Xenons, must have option.

If your getting connect get Nav. it will help resale value. Plus $750 more for nav is a good deal.

 

The Xenons are def. on the list. I will probably be keeping the car for 5-6 years...those with experience how often does Mini update the Nav maps? They'd be very out of date by then....

 

I personally would never pay $1000+ (or even $700) for the built-in Nav when $200 standalone GPS or $50 smartphone app will do same thing usually better and with more flexible map and firmware updates and many with free traffic thrown in. I use Navigon app on my iPhone and couldn't be happier. The whole setup cost me $100 including suction mount and car charger cord. I even stopped using my standalone top of the line Garmin.

In case of OP wasting money on built-in Nav makes even less sense since he says he won't have a lot of use for it where he lives and needs it just for the one time delivery trip. Cheap Garmin or TomTom with free traffic will do the trick.

 

Get the HK System also...

 

If you're at all considering the second flat load floor (or whatever it's called!), order it now since we've been told it is not retrofittable after delivery.

 

That is exactly what I ordered, Connected without Nav. That way you get a nice large display for other things without spending all the money on the nav. For nav I prefer to use iPhone apps, I was going to get a holder to go on the side of the tach for when I want the iPhone visible (which may be most of the time depending on what can be done via the built-in screen and iPhone applications).

 

Xenons for sure. Nav....if you're not going to use it much don't get it. Get a portable garmin. If the extra money doesn't make much of a difference to you then get the built in nav.

 

Great stuff...thanks for all the responses. I'll share tomorrow when it's all done!

 

Lisbeth (my R60) has Xenons, Connected + Nav, Harmon Kardon sound system & pretty much almost all of the possible options except for sports suspension. I am glad that I got the nav system, but it's really not necessary. I have a Garmin Nuvi that is alot easier to use. However in defense of my CM nav, I'm just now really starting to get comfortable with it and in fact it served me well today when I used it.

I would recommend that you print out what you have built in the MINI configurator & take that with you, then triple check what your print out says against the order print out that your MA gives you.

I would also get the comfort access system. This is the first car that I've owned that I had it, and I absolutely love it. I also like my back up display as well.

Good luck,
Amy

 

Make friends with your MA - they will have the most up-to-date info about your order during the build/ship period.

Def. get the xenon lights. It makes a big difference at night. I really like my built-in nav, since it is easy to use. However, YMMV on this one. We have alot of traffic in Atlanta, so the traffic updates are valuable. I love the comfort access system also - it's nice not to deal with a key all the time.

 

Myself, I think Xenon lighting is overly complex. Remember that next time someone is behind you with with bobbing headlights, blinding you. Bulb changes are also $100+ but maybe those are covered as wear items, not sure. As for Nav, I'd prefer not to have power cables dangling about the cabin.

Question, so you check your build against the VIR.
What if they do not agree?

 

Disagree on the stand alone vs. in dash nav points. Convinced my self on my last car that I didn't need nav., and really regretted it. Used both a garmin, and the Navigon app on my iPhone, while the features are better it didnt off set the smaller screen and all in one convenience. I hated the hassle of the mounting brackets, and added. The added cost specifically if your getting connect will hold up for resale.

 

As long as it's not in production, you can make changes. Frequently information does not match exactly. My MA told me that what he entered and I signed off on is the "official" order and what will be produced. When in doubt, have your MA check it. It's their job to make sure you get what you want, even if you drive them crazy. Most of them know we're short on patience and a little bit neurotic about the process and accept it.

 

1) That's what the auto-dimming rear view mirror is for.

2) I definitely agree with you there. I like the integrated look, and really dislike having all kinds of ancillary devices hanging off the dash or otherwise taking up space/disrupting sight lines. As JudgeS says, it does increase resale value, without a doubt.

 

I have the halogen lights and have had my car for about a week now. There isn't anything wrong with the halogens. I'm sure the Xenons are great, but weren't worth $500 for me. If you are coming from a car with Xenons it is probably an adjustment, I'm not so I don't have any issues with them.

 

For those of you that got the Nave, how does the Nav/Connect interact with one another? Can I choose to "turn off" the Nav and just have the Connect-related "stuff" displayed instead?

People have talked about Album art and such being displayed with Connect, can I choose to have that displayed rather than the Nav screen/map?

 

@Jason - take your question a separate thread please. I would answer, but don't want to get us off-track from the original poster's questions.