Does anyone have or seen the MINI portable GPS unit listed in the Accessories section on the Mini build site at $265? Is it a decent unit or am I better off buying another aftermarket unit?

 

I would imagine you'll find better, newer, cheaper units out on the market today. I can't imagine a GPS unit costing $265 today.

 

They had a similar option for a while on the R56, it was basically a fancy styles mount for a Garmin Nuvi, this appears to be a similar setup; and seems like something that as long as Garmin keeps with its current system might be easier to update and retain compatibility by just swapping out the GPS part and utilizing the mount in the future.

I would be curious to know just which unit is in use for this, as comparing to photos to Garmin's website it looks like it's less than $100 for the MINI specific custom mount; may make for an interesting in market in individual parts for those that already have a GPS that can use the mount.

 

To me it looks like what you're paying for is the mounting bracket...and if you want a clean look, it might be worth the money. Otherwise you could just buy one from Walmart.

One more point...Do you still have to plug it into the cigarette lighter? If there is a cleaner solution for the power, it may be worth it.

 

I would look at some of the Garmin GPSs. I just bought a nuvi 3590LMT for my granddaughter (17 year old driver). Paid $199. at Costo and it retails at Amazon for $310. It has just about all the features I'd want and that I want her to have. Awesome 800X480 5" display.

 

I'm going to be at the dealer this Sat and will ask some questions. I was hoping it might be a cleaner installation and will ask what exactly does it include. Otherwise I will look elsewhere, thanks CobraBob for the Costco suggestion.


Car should be here in about two weeks and I've been accumulating accessories to install already

 

I have the Garmin nuvi 3590LMT and it is a nice GPS

 

Where and how do you have it mounted? Any pictures of it?

 

I do not have my Mini yet and I have the navigation so I will not be using. If I was to use I was looking at http://www.cravenspeed.com/mini-gps-mounting-kits/

 

It's really clean and you don't see any exposed wiring. The bracket is adjustable

 

wtwien,

Thanks for URL. This is helpful.

 

I have owned many Garmin products, but have been using a Garmin Nuvi for about 10 years, so I wanted to buy a new modern one with Voice Command, lifetime maps, lifetime traffic and pinch and drag zoom. So after a some research I came across this video on the Garmin Nuvi 3597. It made me run down to BestBuy and buy it! It is great. I have it mounted to the windshield of my new F56. $329, but it is better than the Navs I have had in my Porsche, Audi and MINI of past. Check out the video. The Voice Command feature that this guy shows in his review is that good. I can't believe how great it works. Great unit.

 

I've previously used mounts from www.proclipusa.com with good success. You do however have to deal with the GPS power cord issue but the mounts themselves are custom made for each particular brand/model of GPS and vehicle.

 

That Garmin 3597 is very nice, but it is almost identical, function wise, as the 3590. Best price on the 3597 is $329 (Amazon). Best price on the 3590 is $199 (Costco). I don't see the 3597 being worth the additional $130. I do like its magnetic mount, though.

 

I'm not sure whether this is the same item that shows up as an accessory on the MINI site (probably), but according to this thread it is a Garmin 2497:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...avigation.html

My sense is that the kit is essentially a Garmin GPS, a bracket similar to a Cravenspeed bracket, a hardwire kit that uses the OBD port instead of going straight into the fuse panel, plus some bits to help hide everything.

If you did a piecemeal (like I did) using a Cravenspeed mount, I think you would end up at close to the same price point. Personally, I feel like I was able to hide all the wires well enough so they are not noticeable.

 

If the MINI version is anything like what BMW offers, it's more than just a fancy mounting bracket. I had the equivalent option in my 1-series and yes, it included a bracket that very cleanly installed on the dash and hid all wiring connections, but the best part of it is that it was integrated into the factory audio. That is, all GPS instructions played over the car's stereo, so if you were listening to music on the radio it would mute the music and give the GPS command just like a factory navigation system would. It was a great feature, but the software was buggy to say the least. So many issues with it and, frankly, it rarely worked (in terms of the GPS audio output on the car stereo). The dealer could literally never figure it out. So, I just ran it to give the GPS announcements over the built-in speaker and just enjoyed the almost-factory-looking install that the included mount gave.

 

http://www.gpscity.com/questions?qid=30560
http://versus.com/en/garmin-nuvi-359...nuvi-3597lmthd
Differences 3590 vs 3597

 

My Garmin 2597LMT with CravenSpeed mount displayed in previous thread,

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-w-pics.html

 

I bought the official mounting kit and the Garmin (non-Mini) Nuvi 2497 (outlet $99).

I want the MINI splash screen on my Nuvi but it seems the splash screen change on this model is not easy (as in older/other Garmin models where you could replace or create an image and paste it to the GPS directory).

Any advice on this?

 

Not a clue. I also have been using a 2497 for a couple of years mounted with the Cravenspeed bracket. Love the GPS.

 

I could see your posts with the bracket on your F56 here!

 

I bought a garmin that syncs to its accompanying back up camera ....i mounted it in the space below the dash just in front of the shifter so it snaps in ......semi permanently

 

BC 30 camera?

 

hi miniuy .....I posted my set up and photos ...here ....scroll to post# 42 and #43

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-worst-2.html


(sorry about the need to copy/paste)

Russell

 

Russel, thank you for the link.
Nice install and pictures.

I'm in the process of installing my BC-30 camera too.
Did you install the camera power to the tail lights cables, right?
And your camera was installed outside the car (around license plate, bumper) or inside (behind the rear window)?

I'm a R56 owner, not a new F56 but your answers will help as guidelines .

Thank you