I have a new 2019 MCS without the nav package, and I cannot figure out what purpose if any the MINI Connected app is supposed to serve. When I picked up my car, the salesman said, hey, there's an app you should download, so I did. Based on what I saw, I expected to be able to check status of the car (tire pressure, etc), run the comfort ventilation remotely and maybe have it send directions through the radio. Basically it does none of that. It says it's not connected to the car. When I called customer support, they said all that requires a nav package. So is the app completely worthless if you don't have nav? Seems nuts to me. What am I missing?

 

yes!

 

I'm no expert, but I'm guessing the app is worthless even if you have the Nav. I can't figure out it's benefits at all.

 

Well, at least now I know and won't be trying to fix something that was never designed to work. Seems really dumb of MINI to advertise something that does nothing for most of their cars.

 

I am the second owner of my 2015 MCS and I guess it's next to impossible to get the previous owner's MINI connected profile changed over to me. But, if it's pretty worthless, why bother, I guess. Someone change my mind.

Cheers,

Joseph

 

Apple version not terrible. Android version worthless

 

I have not found a purpose yet.

 

Ditto here. It seems as though they would create something you can use even if you don't have the navigation features. That's why it has a 1.5 out of 4 star rating on iTunes.

 

its also next to useless with the nav package. with the driving assistant package you do get turn by turn in the HUD (if you also have the HUD).....

From a product dev/lifecycle angle - the various nested add ons dont work in practise unless you have all of them. even if you do the tech is very 2016. agile/fast pace of car tech is tuff to keep abreast of

makes the case for buying a simple mini and enjoying the emotional connection - not the box checked 'yes we offer that option" (in theory when in practise it is a bag of shyte)

 

Mine says that my 2017 with Nav is not configured for MINI Connected, even though it used to work. Thought about calling tech support and then decided, why bother?

 

I no longer own my JCW ( disclosure), but the connected app seemed me to have only one useful function. I could unlock or lock via my iPhone which was helpful because not having an alarm, there was no beep when I locked my car. The rest of the functions really were of no help to me.

 

Funniest line of the day

 

Just a random thought here...

Car manufacturers are trying hard to figure out how to make their products appealing to a new demographic consisting of younger adults who aren't all that into cars but are very into technology. Thus, manual trannies are disappearing but smart phone connectivity, touch screens, and other gizmos are getting loaded into many makes and models. Many cars have these big old screens stuck onto their dashes without any attempt to integrate the screens into the form or esthetic of the dash. Just a big old iPad stuck onto the dash.

We were having coffee, sitting outside at a cafe, when a couple sat down next to us and asked if that was our MINI. FIRST thing they asked about was the technology. I whipped out my fob and rolled the windows down, unfolded my side mirrors, and opened the sunroof. Then I rolled the windows up, folded the mirrors, and closed the roof, all from my seat, using the fob.

They thought it was all pretty cool and then started telling us about how they set the air conditioner in their home from their smart phones....

Just sayin', silly as the connected app may be at this stage of development, it is a harbinger of things to come.

As my nephew said when, a few years back, I was exploring which smart phone to get, "Well, first thing you gotta understand is, no offense, you're not exactly the target demographic." I wear that statement as a badge of honor.

 

I need to know how to program mine for this. ;-)

 

Well, of course you have to wait until the moon is full and usually, as with all things automotive, blood sacrifice is required.

But the Carly system was all I needed. Just went down the list of all the things that were possible. It was easy and relatively quick.

You have to have comfort access and electrically folding mirrors.

And a full moon

 

Oh thank goodness! I have everything but click n drive and the alarm. Now I just need to wait for the full moon. :-)

 

Bimmercode also works to enable closing windows and adjusting how much the side mirror tilts down when you put it in reverse.

 

I also have it set for the door handle lights to come on when I put the car in reverse and some rear wiper settings were adjusted. And, yes, adjusting the downward tilt of the passenger mirror actually makes a big difference.

And you can set it so first the doors lock, then an instant later the mirrors fold, and then an instant later the roof/windows start to close. I've entertained myself for hours working on timing it just right so I can lock the doors, fold the mirrors, but not have the sunroof close.

But, to un-hijack this thread, I, too, have found no use at all for the connected app.

As with most things in life, timing is everything.

And, speaking of timing, I gave myself all afternoon because it does require some patience with Carly -- you sort of have to do one tweak, then rinse and repeat some steps. If you're pressed for time it will not be fun. YMMV.

 

Only cars produced from March 2018-on with the full nav screen can take full advantage of the Connected app features. The app is quite useful in my 2019 F57. It's connected to my calendar and tells me when I need to leave to get to appointments on time. When I'm leaving for appointments, the GPS automatically starts as soon as my phone is connected to the car via Bluetooth. Tells me how many gallons of gas remain and estimated range. I can lock/unlock the doors, honk the horn, flash the lights, and ventilate the cabin instantly and/or schedule it to do so. I can also see if the doors are locked, windows/convertible top are open or closed, see if the tire pressures and engine oil level are OK, and check when the services/inspections are due. And then last but not least, I can search for an address, POI, etc. and send it to the car. Probably some other things I'm missing, too. Stinks that owners of earlier cars can't take full advantage of the app, but I think it's pretty good.

 

That may explain a lot, but I'm a bit disappointed in that the app no longer works at all on the earlier models. When I got the car, I was able to use the app although it's functions were limited; but now, the message I get is that may car is not configured for it. I'm surprised they just dumped support for the earlier versions ... that doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

Also doesn't support 2019 models with the smaller screen.