Trading in my '17 4 door with 150k miles for a '22. What should I do to it?

Where to mount the GPS? I like my Garmin GPS. The '17 had a click n drive arm that it mounted to and I liked it a lot. Alas nothing like that on the '22 with the tv screen instead of instruments.

Do you really have to deactivate auto stop every time you start the car? My '17 lets you turn it off and it sticks.

Does it really have a Big Brother tracking unit built in? It seems to based on what the sales lady told me. Anybody deactivate it?

Are the run flats really junk? My '17, which I loved, has 15" wheels with a spare, because it doesn't have the "cool" middle exhaust of the S. The '22 is an S, so run flats and no spare.

Are dash cam cables harder to route? I have a front and back in my '17. Read about air bags in the roof on the newer models. Great.

I've messed around in the past with changing parameters on my '17, like putting up the windows with the remote, but I'm reluctant to do this with my new car, plus at some point the dealer put in an update and I lost my changes. Fear of bricking also is real.

I have to leave now and clean up the old car, find title, get money (!), etc.

Any other tips for a MINI owner?

Thanks.

 

I'll do my best to answer what I know.

I recently purchased a 2022 Cooper JCW, I had a 2016 Cooper S with the click n drive arm. Loved that system. I put the 6.95 jumbo size Garmin on it, and had the Garmin backup camera system as well. Best Buy did a great job on the install. When I traded the 2016 in, the dealership (non-MINI) actually bought that system from me, they really liked the way I had it setup. I use primarily use the Apple CarPlay with Apple Maps now, although I have used the MINI navigation system. Do I miss the Garmin system, sometimes, it was a good system, although the Apple Maps does alert me to current traffic conditions, stop light cameras, speed cameras, so it's more real time than the Garmin was. My stepson uses a mount that hangs from his rear view mirror that holds his phone. I know that's not a GPS, but there may be something like that out there. I don't know any more details than that.

I discovered the auto stop every time I stopped too. Like you, sometimes I don't want it on. You can turn it off, but you have to do that every time you get in the car. Using the app Bimmercode, along with an OBD adapter that plugs into your car, you can change that to default to off, or simply remember your last setting.

I think all cars have the big brother thing now. I don't like it either.

I never minded the run flats, either on my 16 or my 22. Most think with the new updates to the MINI, run flats ride much better now.

I haven't attempted to wire up a dash cam, although I have thought about it. If you figure it out and think about it, please post.

Once again, putting the windows up is an option with the Bimmercode app. That should have been there from the factory, MINI, IMO, dropped the ball on that one. Just follow the instructions on the Bimmercode app, and you won't brick your car. Simply hold down the lock button, and everything closes and locks. Will dealer updates wipe the changes away, not sure, but just keep a log of everything you've done and put it back when you get your car back.

I'm a huge fan of tinted windows, so that was one of the first things I had done. Looks much better!

The MINI all weather floor mats, I'm pretty sure they are WeatherTech, so they are well worth getting, you won't mess up those carpeted mats. ShopMINIUSA.com: All Weather Floor Liners

Hope this helps!

 

Taking a break from emptying the car, scraping stuff off windshield, etc.

Thanks very much for the helpful response.

The car is coming with rubber mats, but I got a rubber cargo mat for my '17. It proved useful several times in containing spills. Not sure if it'll fit in the new car, but if it does, I'll clean it up (somehow) use it.

I saw a video where the guy showed how he disabled autostart using Bimmercode. It looks a lot easier than when I did it last with a cord to my laptop. Seems to be a phone app. Maybe less capabilities, but easier? I don't know, and I don't know the price either.

 

I think they changed the cargo mat, let me know if that is NOT the case, cause I haven’t found anything I’ve liked for a reasonable price.

I’m thinking Bimmercode was in the $30-$40 range from the AppStore. Something else you may consider disabling is the Active Noise Design (I think I got the name right). That one puts engine sound into your speakers and I hated it. Your results may vary.

Good luck, and I know you’ll enjoy that updated MINI!

 

Rolling up windows with the key fob is now enabled by default.

If you do get Bimmercode to change the auto start/stop settings, I also recommend disabling the startup warning ("don't use the infotainment while driving"), and making sport mode the default. You can also turn off the seatbelt chime, which is an annoying noise on startup.

Edit: Another one I like is to set the mirrors to fold in automatically when locking. It works by either using the fob as normal, or by holding the comfort access button down for about 1 second.

 

Bimmercode is about $30, and a compatible OBD reader is $25 to $30. Look at the Bimmercode website for compatible OBD readers. There's some nice personalization options. Folding the mirrors will only work if you have powerful mirrors on your car.

My 2016 convertible has always closed the windows when holding down the button on the fob to close the roof. I've always assumed window and sunroof closing was standard on the hardtops as well.

MINI makes an OEM dash/rear window cam as accessory (MINI Advanced Car Eye), but it seems expensive. It may not be that hard to install and aftermarket set of cameras.

One accessory I really like is the Travel and Comfort System, with the Universal Hook. The base section clips in between the headrest posts, and the hook clips into the base. Great for hanging dry cleaning, a coat, or some grocery bags. There are other holders that can also clip to the base.

 

That's interesting.

 

Keep the run-flats. Technology has come a long way and they drive really well now. Also consider getting this to hold your cell phone. It fits perfectly into the existing dash.

 

I just installed front and rear Dash cams in my new JCW a couple of weeks ago. Pretty straightforward and took me very little time.

Here's the link to my post:

Dash Cam in 2022 JCW

 

It's home now. I managed to disable the steering wheel rumbler. I find it interesting that it can recognize speed limit signs as well but doesn't do adaptive cruise, which I think I would like. Perhaps there's a hack but it would need a new stalk plus programming. I'm going to get bimmercode for the auto stop/start-that's really annoying.
PS: The lights seem pretty good-they seem a lot like the hid refractors I had on a previous MINI, only I think these are LED's, right?

 

Do you think it will fit the '22? It covers up the screen though, right? Although, I did keep it mostly black on my old one, I did use it at times, like to see what was playing on the radio, texts, or whatever.

 

dupe

 

I used the windshield mount that came with the Garmin Nuvi. Not hardwired, but reach is not excessive because of shape of MINI's windshield. Also mounted low on dash, so not much blockage. Cable visibility is not overly hideous. If I reinstall the front dashcam similarly, a hanging wire would be hideous, lol.

Oh, the cargo mat fits, although I might try some armor all on it.

I put the first aid kit in the place where the jack should be.

 

Here is a picture of the Garmin location. I might try to tuck in the wire, but its really not bad.

As a side note, I took my golf bag with clubs into the dealer when shopping. I thought I could go with a two door, but the 6" more cargo room with the four door was just enough for the bags to fit lengthwise.

I keep the rear seats down most all the time and the back of the seats can get dirty. I've put 6 mil black plastic down in the past, but it always moves around. I had the idea of sticking on some velcro (hooks) on the plastic sheet so it'll stick to the fabric backing of the seats. It's flexible enough so that the seats can be folded back. It's a concept anyway.

 

https://www.cravenspeed.com/gemini-p...ter-2021-2022/

Ask for the Garmin ball adapter. Its an extra. Not listed.

 

I found out that if you shut the engine off, it automatically shifts into park.

 

It's neat that album art works now on XM. It didn't work on my '17, and I tried to make it work.

I installed the Viofo dashcam today, and routed the wires for that and the Garmin so you can't see them, mostly, to a dual usb cigarette lighter adapter. The adapter, a 24w (total) Insignia dual adapter I got at Best Buy; had a blue light that was annoying when aimed up, but turned around, emits a nice indirect glow.