I just had my car in for service. And they said my navigation was up to date. It says SW 4-1/40. But I keep seeing stuff like this...

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums...7010474-2.html

What is the newest official navigation firmware from MINI?

geno.

 

Your dealer is telling you the wrong information. The latest firmware for your navingation system is 4-1/60 (or V26). You still have V24 installed. See more info about V26 here:

A New Look For The MINI's Nav

V26 has been out since September of last year. Here's a link to the official TSB from BMW for V26:

Navigation System Technical Service Bulletin

-- MIKE

 

That's what I thought. I wonder why they won't update it...

 

Because they're either really lazy or they just don't want to be bothered to take the time (which is all of about five minutes max to do the update)!

You can always just install the update yourself (as I did) if you feel up to it. You can download it from here:

BMW Navigation Operating System

 

I'm surprised that they wouldn't update your Nav. It is just a matter of popping in a CD and waiting about 60 seconds. Here is the MINI version of the Technical Service Bulletin: http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11281...0403/4031.html

The update has been discussed extensively on NAM (see this thread) and MINI2. That thread describes how to download and burn your own CD copy of the software. If you don't understand how to do that, someone here in the forum could probably lend or give you their copy. Actually I'd give you my copy but I gave it away to another NAM member. But I did so with the understanding that it would be passed around to whomever needs to use it. If you PM me, I could probably track it down.

 

Actually, from what I'm hearing, the "official" V27 (with the Persoective 3D view) is now out. V27 takes the MKIV nav system up to 4-1/70.

It shouldn't be too long before it starts showing up (on the Internet and at your local MINI/BMW dealership).

 

do you know when the nav system gets loaded; at the dealer or at the factory? my mini is still on the boat so i'm hoping the former. not doubting you at all as you seem exceptionally knowledgeable about mini ICE, but where have you been hearing it's out?

 

I would assume that nav is loaded at the factory. There's alot that goes into it. Nav computer, screen, etc.

 

Yes, as barbaloot said, I would imagine that the firmware is originally loaded on the nav computer by the unit's manufacturer. However, I'm sure that it is more than possible that the firmware is upgraded at the distribution center when your MINI is first off-loaded from the ship (I believe this is where they code in the language mode for the nav computer as well). I doubt that your dealer would ever touch the firmware on the nav unit unless there was a known problem with it or you requested them to do so.

As for knowing that V27 is out... There are a few folks on German message boards who have actually had the V27 upgrade installed in their cars by dealers over in Germany. That's how I know that it's out.

 

Dashiel,
I just picked up my MCS on 2/28 and it already had v2.6 installed. I'd be surprised if yours had a different version.

Keep your eye out for v2.7, the upgrade process is easy if you know how to burn a CDR properly. I've been having fun "customizing" my 330 NAV system with v2.6.

Cheers!

 

Okay so I downloaded and installed the update, everthing went well. I got the message that the update was successful. I set the perspective to on, do I need to do anything else? because it is not in 3D or birdeye's view. Should I change the direction setting as well?

 

Assuming that you have changed perspective mode to "on" from the secret menu (pressing menu for 10 seconds in set mode), all that does is give you the OPTION of choosing perspective mode. You now need to go to the menu (don't remember where it is) that controls orientation of the "view" with either "north" at top of screen or "direction of travel" at top of screen. On this menu, you will see a NEW choice - perspective mode. When you choose it, there is a nice transition when the world goes from flat to round and you take on a bird's view.

I am an absolute fan of perspective mode now - I find that I don't spend as much time staring at the NAV because the information you see is much more intuitive under this mode. Really a winner in my opinion !!

Bill

 

Does anyone know if the maps get updated with the software update? If not, how does one obtain a "new" map CD. Our street doesn't shwo up on the nav at all, even though the neighborhood is 3-4 years old. Bummer not to be able to put your own house in as your trip starting point!

 

No they do not. The map data is stored on the DVD (or CD) that is inserted into the nav computer (which is located under the front seat) and the software/firmware is stored on a computer ROM chip located within the nav computer itself.

To update the map data, you have to purchase an updated DVD/CD. This can be done via your local MINI/BMW dealer or direct from NavTeq (the company that produces the map data) here:

http://www.navteq.com/updates/updates.html

The latest map data DVD/CD available for North America is "2006-2".

I hope this helps some.

-- MIKE

 

Has anyone gotten their dealer to do the update yet? I'm just curious - last time I asked a dealer about it the version they stated as the latest was several versions prior . There is the BMW SIB to refer to but as it does not list the Mini I don't think that will really help (unless there has been a newer SIB released since that addresses the Mini)

 

I bought my o6 in Feb (it came with the 2005 dvd) and shortly after they came out with the 2006 dvd. I've called the two closest dealers and asked them if I bought the 2006 dvd for $199.00 from them would they upgrade my operating system to v27 for me. BOTH of them said NO (one of these is the dealer i bought my car from) .They said unless there is a problem with my system that would require the upgrade to fix it, they won't do

 

That is just bizarre that they will not do upgrades

 

Thanks, Mike, it does help. Now if I can just figure out which DVD/CD I have...Guess I'll pop it out and take a look.

 

OK-patience is needed here-I have an '05 mini s and don't know if I have v26 or not in it. I took out the dvd and it says 2005-2 on it. I understand that I have to purchase the maps for 2006 but what about this software upgrade you are all talking about? Do I already have it and can upgrade to v27 or not?

 

The map data (i.e. the road maps, point-to-point routing information, Points Of Interest like restaurants and gas stations, etc.) are all stored on the DVD that is inserted into your navigation computer. Generally, the map data is updated once per year (sometimes more, sometimes less) by NavTeq (the company that produces the map data for BMW/MINI) on new DVDs. Thus, when you pop out the DVD and it reads something like 2005-2 or 2006-2, then you know that the map data on the DVD was produced in the 2nd quarter of the year indicated. If you live in an area where the roads don't change too much from year-to-year, then you probably won't see much difference from a map data DVD that is only a year or two old and a new one (although Points Of Interest are always changing).

Now... The nav computer itself has an operating system stored on it (embedded into a ROM chip within the computer itself and not stored on a DVD/CD like the map data is) that runs the computer (just like the Windows XP operating system runs a desktop PC). You can check what version of the operating system your nav computer is running by pressing the Menu button (located just below your nav display screen) and selecting the "Settings" or "Set" menu. Once in the settings menu, the operating system version will be displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Here are a few example values:

V23 = 4-1/30

V24 = 4-1/40

V24.1 = 4-1/42

V25 = 4-1/50

V26 = 4-1/60

V27 = 4-1/70

With V27 (or 4-1/70) being the most current version of the operating system available at this time (and the one that has the cool new 3D view, auto-dismissing Accept screen, etc.). Thus, if you don't have V27 installed, you can update your nav computer's firmware (or operating system) in order to get it. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself (as described in this forum in many topics/threads), you can request your MINI dealer to do it for you. Some will do it for free and some won't.

I hope this helps some.

-- MIKE

 

Thank you so much for catching me up on the topic. My mini is only 7 months old and they will not do an upgrade so I guess it is up to me to do it if I want it. I have the v25 version-and I have a mac computer-can you aim me in the direction of a reliable download so I can do it myself? I would assume I need to do the v26 before the v27 upgrade.
I look forward to a reply. I plan to purchase the 2006 maps dvd once I get this upgrade going.

 

No you don't have to do V26 before V27. You can go straight to V27 from any prior version.

As for creating a V27 update disc on a Mac, checkout mdsbrain's wonderful blog at:

Nav OS V27 has been released

He has all the info on V27 there as well as a link to a downloadable ISO image file that can be used on both a PC and a Mac.

 

I went to this site and the file is all gibberish-any other ones?

 

I just tried downloading it again and it is still OK.

The file compression format is RAR (not Zip) - you need to find that compression software to unpack it (try Google for WinRAR or something like it). You should then use the recommended Alcohol 120 program to burn it to the CD. Follow the instructions in the article exactly in this regard and you will be ok. The RAR file should be about 136 mb when fully downloaded.

Bill

 

Does it work with a Mac? I believe those programs are Windows.