Help I'm new to MINI GPS system
 

:confused: Hi - I just bought my first MINI, a 2002 S, It has factory Nav but it is pretty worthless and only seems to have the major interstates. I have a Garmin Street Pilot that I use in other cars and it has great detail.

The car didn't come with the separate owners manual for the nav unit. It's my understanding that there is a CD drive under the passenger seat. Can this CD be replaced with a new one with better details? Am I just missing how to use mine properly and the details are actually there? Is there a place to get or download a users manual. I love driving the car it's really great! Now I just need to know where I'm going.

Thanks for any help!

Andy

There's a downloadable manual over at MotoringFile (although it doesn't label the year):
http://www.motoringfile.com/files/MI...ion_manual.pdf

The maps are updatable, and firmware too, depending on your nav's model and current version- search around a bit here using 'nav update' or 'map update' and you'll find lots of stuff. Here's a couple to start out with:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=nav+update
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=nav+update

Andy, go to the settings menu and tell us what version you are running. It should show up on that screen in this format: X-XX/XX

Once we know that, we'll know what generation of Nav system you have (it will probably be either 2nd or 3rd), and what other updates are available.

The software operating system (OS) updates are easily available, but updated maps have to be bought from Navteq.

OK I'll check the settings this weekend and let you know. Thanks for the help.

Andy

I have the factory nav in my 2003 MCs - pretty much the same as yours. A firmware upgrade is NOT going to fix this problem. What you are experiencing is what happens when you leave the map area. There are 8 map CD's for our unit, that covers different parts of north america, as shown here:
http://mini.grazfam.net/NAV_MAP_small.jpg

You need to determine if you have the right map disc loaded in that CD drive (under the passenger seat as you noted) - I suspect you have a CD loaded that does not cover the area where you live. If you have the wrong map disc loaded - all you see is interstates - no detail - just like you described. When you have the right disc loaded, you'll see every bit as much detail as any other GPS unit on the market.

The factory NAV is a great unit - it gets a bad rap by people who don't have one, or don't want to spend the money for it, or people who don't understand how it works - but once you get the hang of it - you'll like it much more. Granted, GPS technology has changed a great deal since 2002, but I'd still rather have my intergrated factory nav than one of those tiny little 2x3" screens stuck to my windshield...

Note that you can indeed buy updated nav CDs (individually for your particular region or the entire 8 region set) direct from the manufacturer here:

http://www.navteq.com

If you don't have the money to spend, then PM me and I might have an old one from my 2006-2 set lying around that I can give you for just your single region. The newest map data discs are now up to 2007-2, but the older 2006-2 map data disc should still be much better than what came in your 2002 MINI.

One of the crappy things about the way MINI sold the CD-based system is that the dealer would only supply you with the map disc for your region. If you wanted the whole country you were on your own.

I bought the 2006 disc set so I could have the whole set - but for my local area, there were almost no updates in 3 years as far as road changes, restaurant changes, etc. I expected more updated in 3 years...

If you can find a used MKIV DVD-based unit (note that the MINI and BMW versions are completely interchangeable), then it might be worth your while to make the swap.

The units are 100% plug-n-play swappable and with the newest firmware on the DVD-based units you gain all kinds of cool new features such as Destination+ POI searching, better map resolution and colors, 3D perspective view, a MUCH faster processor, etc., etc. Not to mention you get the entire North American map on a single DVD.

Maybe you could find one cheep in a wrecking yard or on eBay???

BTW, I know what you mean about MINI screwing you over on the map discs... When we bought our 05 MINI (two of them actually!), the 2006-2 maps had been out for quite a while. However, MINI was still delivering the cars with old out of date 2005-2 map discs. It sucked paying $1,600 for a brand new nav system and getting a map data disc that was already a year old. MINI wouldn't do anything about it and you had to pay $200 to NavTeq/BMW if you wanted a newer map disc. Oy!

It would be interesting to see what map disc the new 2008 convertibles are coming with. I wonder if they have he latest 2007-2 discs or the older 2006-2 discs now???

Is the MKIV swap just the unit that's under the seat - where the drive is - or are there components in the dash?

I will say this - MINIUSA sent me an upgraded map at no charge 1 year after I got my car. I didn't even have to ask. But again it was only for my "home" region.

I just changed duty stations from Germany to Texas and brought my 2003 MCS with me. Unfortunately, all I have are the European CDs so if anyone has a set of CDs that they are willing to part with....I'm in the market. Meanwhile I've been using my Navigon system which I also purchased in Germany. Thanks!

Dan

Thanks for help
 

It looks like I need the region 5 disc. How do I remove the disc that's in there already? It doesn't say anything about it in any of the books I have.

Thanks again,
Andy

I probably have the region 6 disc since that's where the car came from.

The unit should be underneath your passenger seat. Slide the seat all the way forward to get easier access from behind it. There will be a plastic dust door that you can open, and inside will be the disc drive. There should be a little eject button on one side that you can push to eject the disc.

At least that's how it is on my MKIV - I'd expect it's pretty much the same on MKIII.

Andy,

IN DAYLIGHT if possible, open the passenger door, tilt the passenger seat forward and slide it as far forward as you can - then you'll see the nav CD drive under the passenger seat. There's a black plastic "dust cover" door - open that. (It's hinged on one side) Then you can see the drive, and you should see the eject button. Push it, and out pops the CD. If it's an original disc (not a copy) it should be well marked with what region it is...

You may want to have a small flashlight handy - they made everything down there black - it's hard enough to see down there as it is. Some brighter colors would have helped.

After you've done this a few times you can do it without looking - possibly even while driving - but I wouldn't reccommend it...

If you have a hardtop MINI then the GPS nav unit is located underneath your passenger seat. Simply slide the seat all the way forward and look under it. You will see a small trap door that pulls out and swings open. Behind that door is the nav computer. You will see a little light and right around the light is an eject button that can be used to pop out the nav disc.

If you have a convertible MINI, then the nav computer is located under the driver's seat instead.

Since we're talking about a CD-based system, it's got to be a hardtop. By the time the 'verts hit the streets, they were using the DVD-based units... (I think...)

D'oh! You are indeed correct as the convertibles didn't come around until the 2005 model year (and they ALL do indeed have DVD nav units). My bad. :)

Success
 

Success!! I never would have found that on my own.

It is an original Navtech 2002-1.

TheOfficeMaven - I sent you a PM.

Hi boater454,

Got it. Will PM you back shortly.

Other discs?
 

[quote=TheOfficeMaven;1812116]If you can find a used MKIV DVD-based unit (note that the MINI and BMW versions are completely interchangeable), then it might be worth your while to make the swap.

Are the BMW and Land Rover/Range Rover CD discs useable in my MINI?

I know for sure that the BMW ones are (as long as you don't get the DVD-CCC "Professional" type - that one's used in the newer MOST based nav units like what's in the 2nd gen MINIs). I don't have a clue about the Land/Range Rover ones though???

I went ahead and got a set of landrover cds off e-bay and they do work just fine.

Thanks for everyones help!