I'll throw my two-cents into the conversation… I have a Clubman with Mini Connected and Nav. Just bought my wife a CMS with the upgrade stereo no Mini Connected. IMO, it was a mistake not to wait out the stock issues on Mini Connected for her CMS. But my wife thinks Mini Connected is overkill.

I'm an Apple geek so for me Mini Connected feels very intuitive and I love it… and I don't regret the decision. It's seamless going from Sirius, to my iPhone, to my Nav.

One final note; I have a 15-20 minute drive to work every morning. It's all highway but at times its an intense drive. Back in August I was rear-ended in my MCS during a sudden stop situation. I feel less distracted during my drive with the Mini Connected/Bluetooth package. Granted I lock in Sirius, Pandora, or iTunes before I hit the on ramp.

 

Wow that's interesting because my better half and I are mac users and the switch from the 2008 nav to this system has been a nightmare. It's SO many more steps to get to anything and it really is frustrating.

 

I am in the same boat - finalizing my options before purchase of a new countryman, and really am torn on this subject.

I do not plan to use nav, as nav on my smartphone is so much better, and it does have voice instructions which nav will not offer.

I do not plan to use connected to interface with my social sites.

But:

I do like the aesthetic of having connected vs regular speedo

I am getting the back up sensors for sure, so having a graphic visual for that would be nice.

I am a HTC evo user, and don't anticipate to switch to the iPhone, although I am a mac user otherwise(so hope OS will be pretty intuitive). Sounds like there is a fair amount of limitations for non-iphone devices. What does connected offer in that regard over just bluetooth? And what bluetooth hurdles are there if any?

I do want to use pandora. Is connected a must to use it via mini?

Bottom line, is it worth the spend if all I really want is bluetooth and the back-up "monitor"?

 

Two things I know when I get in the Driver's Seat:

1. I adjust my seat, mirrors, put earl plugs on, and turn up "Octane" on Sirius...so I don't have to hear my wife.

2. I never let my wife drive and I don't go anywhere if my wife drives.

 

Sorry, the point is...I don't need NAV or MINI Connected or anything fancy to drive.

Most places...I know where they are and I stay out of NYC...plain and simple.

 

+1 - I agree on all these points. I have the Mini-Connected w/NAV and so far have no regrets. Are there features that I would like to see added into the NAV? - Sure. But it gets me where I need to go - and shows me the turns and I love the female voice saying - PLEASE, turn right... That's my signal that I am exactly at the point of my turn. I also love that if the live traffic picks up a serious blockage ahead it will automatically alter my route and tell me. I DO think that a touchscreen would be easier than the damn joystick!

 

If you get Connected and you have a HTC Evo, it's a crapshoot whether or not the bluetooth will work properly. If I had it to do all over again, I'd avoid connected like it was the plague.

 

I has visual radio with iphone integration (I see covers and lists, etc in my screen) , i can see videos from iphone (when car is stopped, off course!) and i has olso the park feature.. nice image ... ) but not Nav and not connected...
Not Nav because there is not a radar list dbase easy to charge... and map renewal is to much expensive if you compares with TomTom o Garmin's Navs..
Not conected.. because i can't see my Iphone SMS in screen, and can't see E-mail in screen.. i thing is only for fun, and i was preferred invest my money in another things...

 

Thanks for all the opinions everyone. Seems that NAV/CONNECTED while a new system, has it's issues, but if you have an Iphone, it's great. If you don't have an Iphone, it's overkill and pointless. Especially if the Nav doesn't have turn by turn directions most GPS/phones have. While the backup camera would be nice, I don't think it's worth spending all that money for something I can not FULLY use. I shall spend the money elsewhere. And to whoever said I shouldn't be spending money on a Countryman if I can't afford a 30$+/mo extra for unlimited data......find me a better and more fuel efficient car that is AWD, where I can spend 30$ more a month on something I don't need. My Wifi works great, and I don't use data. And the Juke doesn't count since they didn't tie their system in with ONE specific phone :-P

 

a few things. the NAV does turn by turn directions, it doesn't speak street names. parking distance control is available with or without Connected, though its not a camera, but rather a diagram

other options, well the Juke, any Subaru . .

 

Oh, no camera? I WANT A CAMERA! Like the Juke I loved the Juke, and I love Suby's, but my wife is...well....my wife. I have no say in the matter, so Coutryman it is :-/

 

Really - No spoken street names? What is this, 2004?

 

Yes no camera, but xenons...Juke no xenons... and worst MPG.. and no boot space... and less "cool"... i like Juke but...when i try Cman... is like a good wine or a cheaper wine... all are wine... may be the cheaper has better pric-quality.. but the better is better... like countryman...