I will be ordering a new Countryman S in the upcoming months and am doing some research to make sure I make the right decisions.

How well does the navigation work in comparison to popular iPhone apps like Navigon, Mapquest, and the new Apple Maps on iOS 6? Where does the traffic data come from? I am trying to determine if SiriusXM is required, because as we all know, it is no longer included with the 2013 models. Quite frankly I'd prefer not to have SiriusXM unless it is absolutely necessary (for navigation traffic).

 

I don't believe that satellite radio is required for traffic info on the Nav. If you look around a little on NAM, you'll hear people speak poorly of the factory nav system because it's expensive, not easily updated compared to phone-based or stand-alone nav units, and the operating logic is not terribly intuitive. But it is built into the car and doesn't require mounts or cords. That said, I've got it in my 2011 Clubman and would rather have it than not - I've included it in my order for my new JCW.

I've never seriously compared the MINI nav system to what my iPhone can do, so can't address that part of your question. The best suggestion is probably to spend some time in a nav-equipped MINI and see if it works for you. It won't have to be a Countryman; all the current production MINIs use the same nav system. Have fun, and good luck!

 

I got my iPhone 5 about ten days before I got my CMS w/Nav last week. Here are my initial thoughts about the advantages of each:

Built-in Nav

• Much bigger screen
• Available where data unavailable (VZN doesn't support simultaneous voice/data)
• Can take advantage of Mini Connected voice recognition.
• I find navigation with the joystick easier than trying to deal with a touchscreen mounted in a place where I can't brace my hand. Extending my arm to operate a touch screen while piloting a moving vehicle can get tricky.
• More display options, especially in turn-by-turn mode

iPhone Nav

• Maps are more timely. Some new-ish roads don't show up in the MINI nav system
• Siri is the better voice recognition system
• "Perspective" view is better

For me, the compelling features in favor of the MINI system are its independence from cellular data and my issues with the touch screen shakes. YMMV and it probably will. My six year old kid really likes watching the maps on nav systems so that was another consideration for me.

 

Don't need satellite to receive traffic info. It's free and comes from the normal FM radio signal. The mapping software is fine but nowhere near google quality. The colors are nice and vibrant though.

 

To be honest with you, my $150 Garmin Nuvi with FM traffic is better than the built-in nav. It has a *far* better/faster/simpler UI, faster routing, better traffic and better display.

The only things the built-in nav are better at is being cleaner/more integrated (obviously) and being able to use google send-to-car, which I use all the time and workes really well.

 

If you have an iPhone, get a pro clip and mount it. Mine works wonders. When I drive from Indy to Knoxville, I lose reception but the turn-by-turn continues working smoothly. Its a cheaper alternative. Just my $0.02

 

When I am in my CMS, I like my iPhone being my phone and the integrated Nav directing me around town. I had a 60+ day, three shop visit to finally get my NAV right and I am happy with it.

 

I thought about doing that. One of my main reasons for going to MINI Connected and MINI Nav is that I can put my phone away in the armrest out of sight so there is less distraction while driving. After reading some of the feedback it seems possible that the not-so-good user interface of MINI connected may lead to just as much driving distraction.

May I ask where exactly do you have your iPhone mounted using the Pro-clip and does it allow you to use short BMW 30-pin iPod to USB+Aux-audio cable that came with your MINI?

 

I used a garmin nuvi in my previous mini and now have a 2012 with factory nav. Prior to that I've had a g37 with nav, a blaupunkt din size unit and another portable blaupunkt unit in Germany. To be frank, the mini/BMW nav (which is blaupunkt based) sucks. The garmin and Infiniti systems were equally good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.