Anybody knows? They are different options in the configurator and the latter costs twice as much.

 

Those terms aren't in the MINI USA config, they have Navigation System and Navigation System XL, so I'm not sure what Professional Navigation means. Maybe it is very specific to Mini Mexico?

In the US, the only option you can pick is Navigation for $750, and that's only available if you've also picked the Media Package ($750) or Connect+Visual Boost solo option ($500) (the 6.5'' screen options). So the Navigation options are at minimum $1250 or $1500. To get the Navigation XL you have to get the Wired Package for $1750, which upgrades you to the 8.8'' screen and includes Navigation XL, and ALSO includes Real Time Traffic Information.

Maybe that's the difference between what your config calls Professional? The Real Time Traffic info? It's hard to say with the terms being different, and prices as well maybe, since Navigation vs Navigation XL is really only $500 or $250 different here.

 

So the only difference between Navigation and Navigation XL is from the size of the screen?

 

Yes, but also that the only possible way to get the Navigation XL option also forces you to get Real Time Traffic Information option, and the only way to get the Real Time Traffic is to get the Navigation XL... so you could say that is also a difference. Its organized rather oddly in the config.

 

XL has the larger screen (8.8" vs 6.5"), touch pad controller, a few more functions, split screen capability, real time traffic, video capability and 20GB hard drive storage.

 

Well yea, that's the difference between connected and connected XL, I was trying to pinpoint the differences in the Navigation system specifically, which does really appear to be just the real time traffic?

 

So other than the size and the traffic, the navigation is the same? If you bought visual boost with 6.5 screen but without nab, can you upgrade to navigation? (Obviously not XL but at least regular nav)

 

So far as I can tell, yes the actual navigation itself will be identical, aside from not re-routing you for traffic and road closures.
In the US config, you can add it to the Media Boost option, for $500. At that point you're very close in price to the Wired Package, which adds all the things MINIwuff mentioned.

 

Question for those that got the Navigation XL. How does it perform? Is it quick to load directions and triangulate? Are the directions pretty accurate and traffic information pretty good? how does it compare to google maps or iphone. Thanks!

 

I like it. I've only really used google maps and Apple's maps in the past, and in the few cases I've tried, its actually beat them (suggested different routes that turned out to be better even around home!) but I've only used it maybe 6 times total. Having the built in with the HUD though is great, because it displays the upcoming turns and distance to them right in the HUD, and shows diagrams for forks and exits they have all been rather accurate. Nice for those 'exit right' when the exit splits 3 or 4 ways, it'll draw it out right on the HUD so you know.

Its very quick, if I purposely drive past a segment, it recalculates essentially instantly. You'll never hear "recalculating..." it just happens. Never taken any time to figure out where to go when entering an address either.

I haven't had any interaction with traffic alerts yet, but it has twice alerted me to road construction along the normal route and given a detour around it, which was great. The only downside on this is that the HUD will keep displaying the original directions and the center screen has the detour directions, but when you get near where it wants you to go for the detour the voice speaks up and the HUD flashes 'ROAD CLOSED!' so its rather obvious you should go this other way instead.

My single complaint about the system is that you need an address, not a name. On the iphone you can just type in 'MINI Of Rochester' and it'll route you to there! For the built in Nav you'll need a street number, street, city and state. No names/locations. I guess the MINI Connected Google Send to Car feature used to work around this? Never had that, but its missing from the current version of MINI Connected, so its a pain. I find myself using my phone to get the address and then typing it into the Nav computer.

 

My non-xl has real time traffic. But as of the last few weeks it hasn't been working. It stopped roughly around the time I had it in for my 30000 mile service. I bet those f'ers at the dealership somehow disabled it.

Anyone here have any ideas why when I go to display traffic, it says, "traffic info unavailable at this time"

 

I've never seen the utility in paying hundreds of dollars for a function that is already delivered extremely well by my phone. Android navigation is done remotely by servers at Google, which have up-to-date road information and navigation algorithms which are constantly being updated.

Not to mention that I get a new phone handset every 2 years. I'm stuck with the car's system until I get a new car...

 

Nav XL is great. The split screen alone is a reason to have it.