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So I have had the new software update installed for a couple of weeks and I have to say it's a continued step in the right direction.
Having a permanent AS/S button in the shortcuts is very welcome.
The overall speed of the software has probably increased 20%
The new GoKart graphics are pretty fun, although I wish there was more customization.
I participated in a Mini survey that lasted 3 days and paid me 500 bucks for my troubles of a hour a day but more importantly I learned Homelink should be coming in 2025 via a software update. Apparently the hardware is there.
Crossing fingers for my update -- still being held back on 07/2024.40 here!
Most finicky thing I've noticed recently is that Driving Assistant disables itself in (strong?) crosswinds and won't let you use it again until the car is stopped and restarted. Happened to me three times already and I'm annoyed that there isn't at least a simple cruise control feature available.
Crossing fingers for my update -- still being held back on 07/2024.40 here!
Most finicky thing I've noticed recently is that Driving Assistant disables itself in (strong?) crosswinds and won't let you use it again until the car is stopped and restarted. Happened to me three times already and I'm annoyed that there isn't at least a simple cruise control feature available.
I had that happen this morning traveling in conditions of heavy snow and ice on the freeway. At a rest stop I cleared the front camera, located in the center and just below the what passes for a grille, it was fine. But I was annoyed that I could not control the cruse manually.
Otherwise the Mini did well in some bad conditions with the stock tires. No skidding or loss of traction, but real snow tires would have given more confidence. I have not tried it yet in deep snow.
One annoying thing, was that in frigid conditions (20 deg F) and using a lot of windshield washer fluid the trails of slush are blown back between the mirrors and the side glass, especially on the drivers side which obscures the visibility. Also I had to use MAX defrost on occasion to melt some residual ice left from clearing the windshield.
Overall, other than some software glitches, the car has done anything that was promised and we like it very much.
If you push the cruise button repeatedly you can toggle through adaptive and lane centering. There is also an option deep in the menus to make it “regular” cruise.
One annoying thing, was that in frigid conditions (20 deg F) and using a lot of windshield washer fluid the trails of slush are blown back between the mirrors and the side glass, especially on the drivers side which obscures the visibility. Also I had to use MAX defrost on occasion to melt some residual ice left from clearing the windshield.
Ugh! Yeah, here I thought the F60 was bad about the side windows getting filthy streaks and the U25 is even worse.
Somewhat related, I noticed that the hood doesn’t defrost very well on its own — had a half inch layer of freezing rain ice stay in place for an entire 200 mile drive. Good and bad, it must be insulated better from engine bay heat.
And to continue the winter blues, it’s a little rough clearing the windshield of snow and ice when you can’t raise the wiper arms.
Originally Posted by grozier
If you push the cruise button repeatedly you can toggle through adaptive and lane centering. There is also an option deep in the menus to make it “regular” cruise.
Huh. I knew about the Driver Assist / Following Distance toggle but didn’t check for more menu settings. Hopefully it’s not tied to a newer software update — I’ll take a look, thanks!
In the 07/2024 version, at least, if you press the hard button to bring up the drive settings menu, then the left column, then "driving," you can switch to regular cruise until the next vehicle start.
Any idea how we get unstuck from 07/2024.40 and get the new software?
I have checked and checked and really would like the upgraded SW. Any ideas why some of have received and some haven’t? I don’t think it’s an ICE vs EV phenomenon?
QUOTE=Karrock;4688841]Crossing fingers for my update -- still being held back on 07/2024.40 here!
Most finicky thing I've noticed recently is that Driving Assistant disables itself in (strong?) crosswinds and won't let you use it again until the car is stopped and restarted. Happened to me three times already and I'm annoyed that there isn't at least a simple cruise control feature available.[/QUOTE]
This is basically my daily driver, it replaced a 2021 Volvo V60 Polestar which I loved but it had a year of warranty left and I sold it for about 6k less then I paid for it 4 years and 30k miles later. I did not want to own the car without warranty and with a year remaining the value was peaked.
I looked at a lot of different cars for a daily, I am fortunate as I have a G80 M3 and a Porsche GT3 as well as a 968. I have always liked my Mini ownership and the ability to mod it to the point it's unrecognizable and no one expects anything left. I ordered the U25, got it in mid-sept after watching the ship transverse
the oceans and arriving in Oxnard. I got 1500 off and it has every option including spare tire.
I actually liked the way it looked better in person than reading and watching reviews. The interior was funky and cool. The software is, well, challenging. My G80 M3 is the year before they went all screen, more importantly I can code it with Bimmercode. BC told me that OS9 in this mini is locked and getting rid of the 1) Auto Start function and 2) the nanny screen is not happening yet if ever. I did sign up for the module you plug into the OBD port which will do Number 1 and hoping far more.
Just completed a 1400 mile vacation to Carmel, Napa and SF from Newport Beach and now have a good feel what I like and hate. I got 34 MPG on the way up and 27 home ( 95mph) It carried almost as much stuff and wine as the V60 did and that is saying something. The materials of course are not a 70k car it replaced but pretty darn good. The biggest issue I was worried about was losing the bowers and Wilkins stereo with this HK system, of course it's not as good but not bad at all. I have been tempted to upgrade my M3's and I know there will be the same offered eventually for the U25 but we shall see.
I hate the HVAC system and I have a call with a Mini factory rep next week and I have some suggestions, they reached out to me to talk about the car so I let them know I have 2k miles on it now and have some " suggestions"
My SA told me the Personal mode is now on all new cars they have and the new version of the software we are all awaiting. Why they are slowing that rollout is annoying. I might go by the dealer and just see if any of the UI issues I dont like got addressed, including how slow it is at times.
I have added wheel spacers, tinted the windows and have ordered the JCW mats from the boards sponsor. There is a dearth of mods which is rather shocking from Mini. I will add more to this thread as time goes on.
Great review:
Im on my 3rd. I had a Countryman, a Sidewalk, and wanted a new convertible, however timing of release didn’t align with my trade timeframe. I was interested with a Blazing Blue JCW with the black pin stripes. Again, I would have had to overpay to order. I was incentivized to go with one available on the lot and the dealer pd for the JCW stripes (how they got rid of the iconic stripe options is wild) I just had them installed. Further, I had the emblems and letters replaced with the Piano Black finish. (Don’t know why they dropped this as an upgrade option)… Also, the trim I got had the nicer tires, but had awful rose gold grill and cladding trim. I had all that wrapped with gloss black. Basically, getting my S as close to the JCW look as possible.
I agree with the tech being challenging and laggy even with this latest update. The Personal Experience option needs a full customization, it is pretty cheesy. The auto start/stop needs to be turned off once. The Alexa app doesn’t stay connected I have to fully reset the radio to get the Alexa to restart the sync process. Spike is absolutely useless. It doesn’t recognize normal or like normal commands.
Also, having to subscribe to a monthly sub. For the full set of features is painful. (Still have a free month).
I also hate the seat belt chime and use the fake clips, so the doors and windows and turn off relying on those sensors make for a painful stop/start. The car doesn’t turnoff until I hit lock.
I am picking up my new and 1st mini JCW Countryman and I appreciate for all the comment you guys are posting. I read most of them and I like to ask you guys, would you recommend that I should wait little longer for all these issues be rectified before spending $50,000+ for something that would starts with trouble right from the beginning .
Thank you for your comments.
Just picked up my 2025 Countryman S this past weekend and the first thing i did was run to my Bimmercode app, it will only code up to 2024 . Patiently waiting for Bimmercode, so i can code out Auto start stop like i did in my previous F60.
This is basically my daily driver, it replaced a 2021 Volvo V60 Polestar which I loved but it had a year of warranty left and I sold it for about 6k less then I paid for it 4 years and 30k miles later. I did not want to own the car without warranty and with a year remaining the value was peaked.
I looked at a lot of different cars for a daily, I am fortunate as I have a G80 M3 and a Porsche GT3 as well as a 968. I have always liked my Mini ownership and the ability to mod it to the point it's unrecognizable and no one expects anything left. I ordered the U25, got it in mid-sept after watching the ship transverse
the oceans and arriving in Oxnard. I got 1500 off and it has every option including spare tire.
I actually liked the way it looked better in person than reading and watching reviews. The interior was funky and cool. The software is, well, challenging. My G80 M3 is the year before they went all screen, more importantly I can code it with Bimmercode. BC told me that OS9 in this mini is locked and getting rid of the 1) Auto Start function and 2) the nanny screen is not happening yet if ever. I did sign up for the module you plug into the OBD port which will do Number 1 and hoping far more.
Just completed a 1400 mile vacation to Carmel, Napa and SF from Newport Beach and now have a good feel what I like and hate. I got 34 MPG on the way up and 27 home ( 95mph) It carried almost as much stuff and wine as the V60 did and that is saying something. The materials of course are not a 70k car it replaced but pretty darn good. The biggest issue I was worried about was losing the bowers and Wilkins stereo with this HK system, of course it's not as good but not bad at all. I have been tempted to upgrade my M3's and I know there will be the same offered eventually for the U25 but we shall see.
I hate the HVAC system and I have a call with a Mini factory rep next week and I have some suggestions, they reached out to me to talk about the car so I let them know I have 2k miles on it now and have some " suggestions"
My SA told me the Personal mode is now on all new cars they have and the new version of the software we are all awaiting. Why they are slowing that rollout is annoying. I might go by the dealer and just see if any of the UI issues I dont like got addressed, including how slow it is at times.
I have added wheel spacers, tinted the windows and have ordered the JCW mats from the boards sponsor. There is a dearth of mods which is rather shocking from Mini. I will add more to this thread as time goes on.
Love the color setup, what size spacers are you running?
Well My journey with the JCW has ended. It was a good 14 months but I get bored with my daily drivers and my dealer and I have a great relationship so they bought it for a very fair price from me.
It was fun and frustrating ( the software) but overall I am glad I did it.
I have the front and rear spacers, I think 10/15 I got from our board sponsor plus lugs. I also bought and have from our board sponsor the Mini All-Weather mats and the JCW carpeted ones all in A condition.
I have the JCW key fob which matches the strap on the steering wheel.
Let me know if there is any interest before I list elsewhere.
. Patiently waiting for Bimmercode, so i can code out Auto start stop like i did in my previous F60.
