Alright kids, first post here. I will be ordering my Countryman All4 later this year (after wife starts full-time at her job, and rakes in the $) and still stuck on a few things. Is the Nav/Connected option worth it, if I don't have an Iphone? Even without, I believe I can plug a USB card/mp3 player into the CM radio system. I have a GPS, I have a phone that has my music, along with a standalone mp3 player. I will NOT spend the $ to subscribe to satellite radio, or traffic updates. So, is the higher end electronics package worthless? Sure, it would be NICE to have a nav system in the car, so I don't have to hide my GPS all the time, but I don't find that the best reason to spend the extra 750$-2000$. It seems like the system is paired up heavily with the Iphone anyway. And really, tweet from my car?
What will the NAV/connected system give me that will change my mind about it?
Thanks!

 

To directly answer your question, yes the extra $ you spend on this is well worth the price. I would be "lost" without it. I think it is the BEST feature of the C-Man.

If your travels are well known to you, and you don't have a lot of traffic congestion, then maybe I can see not getting the navigation part.

Having said that, the system is primarily designed to work with the iPhone. However, I am not totally sure. I think some other phones, like a Droid (maybe?) might suffice.

Others will have to chime in.

 

I know this isn't a reply to the actual question, but rather a sort of agreement of sorts. I'm planning on going to order my 2012 ALL4 on Saturday and am still narrowing down the final options. My last car (2008 Prius) had a nav system, bluetooth and I LOVED it. But again the upgrade for that was about $2000. I really only plan on using the Nav and Sirius features. I really have no need to Facebook, tweet, email, etc while I'm driving. Is it really worth it? I really wish they had a way of letting you select the features that you want. All I want is Nav without MINI Connected! So...for those of you out there with it and without it, what are your thoughts?

Also, has there been any resolution with the iPhone cradle/connector debacle? I was planning to get an iPhone 5 when they are rumoured to come out in October but not really interested if it's going to take a further 6 months to make it interact with the car.

 

You hit the nail on the head. I have a Droid and can play all my music through the radio. It gives you a simple display of what is playing and sounds good.

The Droid "Maps" app has nav and will give turn by turn directions. For me both were not even considered.

If you have the parking distance option the connected apparently gives you a graphic of how close you are. I didn't get that either.

Bill

 

I'll tell ya, I wish I had included the parking distance option. For me, it is hard to tell how far you are from obstructions when backing into places. I would strongly suggest this as a consideration.

I agree with an earlier response about Facebook and Twitter connectability. I have it and have no interest in using it in the car. For Sirius Radio, now that I have the subscription, which is free for the first year, I find it pretty enjoyable. That coupled with Pandora Radio, gives me the full package...along with the iPhone's iPod application.

 

Bottom Lines: If you are going to use it, it's worth it. If you are not, it's not. If you are a techno-geek, it's worth it. If not, it's not.

You can play music through the aux in. If you have a Garmin and don't mind running wires, use it. If you are happy with your phone, don't buy an iPhone-centric system.

These all be questions only you (and MINI is all about youification) can answer. I'm addicted to Nav and would not go out without Sirius. The connected stuff is just like the center rail - real spiffy until you use it. ( ) And they're only about 75% there with making it work, any way. Back up is also something I'd rather not give up - but I'm in a big city and parallel park and back into tight spaces. It also gives some side warning when you're about to scrape a $2K upgrade wheel on the curb.

Good luck and happy motoring. Which is really what it is about.

 

I too, have GPS unit and GPS app on my iPhone. I still wanted the Connected system anyway for the (kind of) silly reason that it looks cool and definitely better than the analog dial (which I'm sure has its own fans).

 

Nav is definitely worth it I use it every day and love it. A portable unit, or even worse smartphone navigation, is a poor substitute, while they may have more/better features, the added wires, small screen, and lack of integration makes them a very poor alternative IMHO.

On the other hand Mini Connect at this point is a useless feature, it has great potential, but they must fix the software so you don't need the arm rest cable, that cost another $200 and is not even available yet for the iPhone 4.

 

I cannot imagine a Countryman (or ANY Mini for that matter) without CONNECTED. It is, by far, one of my fave features on my car. I don't even plug in my iphone a lot of the time. The visual interface for the music and bluetooth features is wonderful. (And I don't have Nav).

 

Well here is my main point about this then.....If I don't HAVE an Iphone (nor plan on EVER getting one, I LOVE Android OS)....it seems that it won't be a fully functional Connected system. Ok, I can play music, but if I want to use the Pandora thing....I would need the Iphone AND UNLIMITED DATA! (Sorry, I'm not that rich yet.....)Which goes along with the Sirus, and everything else. You still have to pay for service right?
I would love to have the Nav, just because....yes, no wires, no small screen, no switching between cars, etc.....but do i want to spend 1750 just for that :-/
Sounds like the ones who have it, and have the Iphone, and willing to dish out the service fees...it's a great thing. So unless they package the NAV and the Connected separately, or make it less Iphone bias....I'm not sold.
Cant freaking wait to order one though......wish the new Mini coupe thing would come in AWD

 

I don't have time looking at the Speedo when I'm passing Cars & Trucks...

 

Really then you shouldn't be overpaying for the countryman either.

 

Personally I really like the connected and nav. The nav software might not be the best but the fact it is integrated makes it seem good. Also when in other areas like radio, ipod etc it will still pop up directions if you are navigating somewhere. They are old school nav with basic turn left/right etc but very nice all the same. The traffic, in my area Hartford CT, is very accurate. As for connected for sure some things need to improve but using an iPhone 3gs I get facebook, twitter, pandora, album art and video with std cable supplied with car. I really like things like google search and from any computer google send to car works great. When I want to go somewhere I just check out on google maps, then say send to car. Get in car and wham it is there. So overall I like what it can do and because it is software driven can only get better with new updates. Streaming via bluetooth from iPhone also works great. Phone calls coming are perfect and clearly state who is calling. I even hear my ring tones. Voice dialing needs to work better but apart from that phone and connected work very good. So back to the question is connected/Nav worth it. I say for sure yes.

 

I would get Connected with the Park Distance Control (rear backup warning) just for the feature that you get a nice image of the zone behind the car when backing up - it's hard to see out the rear of modern cars, the Countryman is no exception and it can really help warn you if you are about to do something you'll regret when going backwards.

Connected is kind of cool but the real use of it will show more value later I think... the possibility of what can be done with an integrated screen should not be overlooked, there are a LOT of cool possibilities that MINI has only begun to exploit.

I'm less keen on Nav, I like to use my iPhone for that - but there's no denying it's more convenient to have that built in.

 

I'll be honest, I just went from a 2008 Cooper with NAV to a new 2011 with mini-connected and NAV. Biggest mistake. The menu system, radio, all of it... Convoluted... 800 steps to get to anything... The 2008 system had its issues but this is the Windows Vista of interfaces. Sorry, but it really has put a serious dent in my ownership experience. I would say don't do it and if you really want nav, get the mini garmin they offer as an accessory.

 

I've got NAV/Connected in my 2011 Clubman, and for me it's a nifty, albeit expensive, gadget. I like having the map, and the display for the radio is much better. I think the speedo/nav screen combo looks better than the stock speedo/radio. Operating logic for the Nav system is not very intuitive, and verbal instructions do not include street names. I do like the traffic feature, which does not require a subscription. I don't have an iPhone, but do have an iPod Touch that can run the Connected ap. So while I haven't been able to use the Google send to car feature or Tweet from my car, I have played with the Dynamic Music and Mission Control features. Both of these quickly lost their luster, and are no longer turned on in my car, except to demonstrate to easily-amused passengers. If you have the rear parking monitor (which I don't - but wish I did), there's a radar-like image shown on the display when you're in reverse. The Nav screen can also display the trip computer, TPMS and other car system info like distance to next service interval.

To conclude: The Connected display is (I believe) much nicer than the stock radio display, and the Nav has some utility once you learn how to make it work. That said, it's an expensive toy that will keep your passenger entertained for a while, but like most technology probably will not age well. One other thing is that the $250 center armrest is also required if you order the Connected or Nav options. I've seen on Motoringfile that the 2012 models will have a Technology Package available (for $2000) that will include the armrest, Connected, Park Distance, and H-K sound system; Nav can be added for an extra $750.

My two cents' worth: I ordered it and am not sorry that I did, but your mileage may vary. If at all possible, spend some time in a car that has the system (much more than the usual dealer ten-minute around-the-block test drive) and see how you like it compared to the stock radio. Bring your iPod (or whatever) and plug it in to cars with and without Connected (it will work in both). Play with the menus and operating logic of stock radio and Nav. You may even want to read the manual on-line ahead of time so you're prepared when you get to the showroom. OR, check into your local MINI club and see if somebody there can show you their car - the speedo/radio, Connected, and NAV are the same in the Countryman as in the other 2011 MINIs, so you can check it out in a hardtop or Clubman too. Have fun with the process - you're going to have this car for years, most likely. Good luck!

 

For me, it was an expensive "gadget", but one that I really like. I love the joystick look and feel.

I had Nav on my Clubman - once I got used to working it, it almost seemed like a safety feature since I could manipulate it with one hand, keep one on the stereo and eyes on the road. I didn't have to worry about hitting little buttons with my fingers or trying to see the tiny print. I also like the look of the middle area with the Connect/Nav unit instead of the basic stereo/speedo.

Is it worth the money? Only the individual can decide. For me, it was a good purchase.

 

I keep my cars a long time and decided against it figuring I did not want to deal with electronics issues after the warranty ends. Plus, every time I get in a 8-10 year old BMW with a Nav system it doesn't work, has become totally obsolete, and makes the car feel dated. My Mini only goes a few places so I don't really need the nav. If you turn your cars over every couple years and are a techy, it may be worth it to you, but it's not to me.

 

I agree that the best thing you can do is spend time at the dealer playing with the system. Don't focus so much on the nav but the things you do every day. Set some presets, go to other screens, switch channels, etc. My history was 2006 330i (which had the same non-nav radio as mini) and went to a 2008 mini... And only ordered the nav in order to ditch the center speedo. Now in the 2011, my greatest frustration is with the radio controls. Having looked at the 2011 335i with the same system as the mini, it's clear it was designed for the 11" wide screen and in order to adapt it to the mini, you have twice as many steps as you lose horizontal screen real-estate.

 

i have connected without nav. i bought off the lot and none of the cars had nav, i would have ordered it, though.

connected is, in my opinion, the best option for MINI. i have an iPhone, but i RARELY plug it in. i like the information available on the screen, especially phone books, radio stations, iPod interface (with album art from an iPod), and the trip computer. no, the interface is not perfect, but once you spend a while with it, you won't notice. it's second nature to control now. i also like the look of the matte screen as opposed to the speedometer. i wouldn't consider NOT having Connected. i wish i had Nav too, just wasn't in the cards the day i bought my car.

 

Unless you have the GOODWOOD...I wouldn't do it...IMHO... I've had 4 MINIs and I didn't need it...because of experiences with electrical issues like my wife's beetle...

 

this question has been covered a few times in the forum, but to reprise my experience with my CountryMan S, MiniConnected and the integrated Nav:
1) I love the Countryman
2) MiniConnected has great integration and potential but isn't ready for
primetime without the promised, but still not delivered cradle...
3) I'm using my iPod's Tom-Tom nav application rather than the CM's Nav
system as it lacks the ability to announce street names. For many of us,
depending on driving conditions, its not an efficient or safe feature to
drive without it.

In summary, Mini ought to be ashamed for hyping MiniConnected without supplying the hardware to deliver what it promises. Thus far, the extra cost of the required armrest amounts to outright thievery. Many here on the forum have written the Mini brass with complaints...but thus far no response.

So while I love that Mini has pushed the envelope of innovation...at this point many of aren't getting the value we paid for....

 

I have connected with no-nav. I also have an android phone. Now I have a bluetooth headset because android does not work properly with connected. Let me be clear. I HATE CONNECTED. I'd rip it out of the car if I could. I'm actually considering selling the car. Anyone want a 2011 with 2000 miles on it?

 

Mine is actually back at the dealer now because the nav system keeps crashing and resetting while driving.

 

I chose not to go with Connected or NAV. I use my Android phone with the Bluetooth option and it seems to work fine. I was amazed how quickly the MINI sucked all my information out of the phone when connected and how well it stored it away for my access.

I use my familiar Tom Tom for navigation and that works well, too. It does street name announcement and has frequent, useful updates unavailable for the NAV option.

The comments in this thread have left me feeling really good about my up-front choices. The big thing I missed by not getting the LCD interface is the backup video - Oh - wait - there is no backup video available.