Navigation & Audio Is NAV a must-have option
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
I bought the NAV and like it...works fine though a little different logic interface than a GARMIN or Magellan. Nevertheless it works great. I especially like the British accent on the female voice and the use of terms like "motorway" instead of highway. I bought it for two reasons...came in a car that was already "perfect" for me and I did not like the speedometer or chrono package in the middle of my dash. The NAV was a better aesthetic look for my taste though the dealer is correct that it is not as classically MINI as the big speedometer. Last, I did not want to clutter up an already tight cockpit with a dash-mounted portable NAV device but, again, that's just personal preference.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 0
From: On the Oregon 5
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
My dealer told me they stopped using the British accent on the US destined navs because people complained they couldn't understand it. Then again, my dealer didn't know where to put the nav disk, so I told them.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 0
From: On the Oregon 5
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
NAV SYS Manual
Be sure to check out the manuals at MotoringFile.com if you want a quick peek as to what you're getting:
About half way down the page; search for "MotoringFile Downloads".
Link:
http://www.motoringfile.com/
About half way down the page; search for "MotoringFile Downloads".
Link:
http://www.motoringfile.com/
Vielen Dank for the outstanding link! Very considerate of you.
--Vim
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
If you have the extra money to throw away, get the Nav. BUT, don't get it for the, ah, err um, "Nav", get it for all the other features it offers: PDC display, Bluetooth integration, software settings, traffic info....
Then, go out and get yourself a Garmin Nuvi or similar NAVIGATION unit, and mount it next to your dash on the left side of the steering wheel. Use that one for Nav, use the built in ripoff "Nav" which doen't work properly, and mini doesn't want to fix or support for everything else.
I suggest you read the "POI Search..." thread to see why the software doesn't work.
Then, go out and get yourself a Garmin Nuvi or similar NAVIGATION unit, and mount it next to your dash on the left side of the steering wheel. Use that one for Nav, use the built in ripoff "Nav" which doen't work properly, and mini doesn't want to fix or support for everything else.
I suggest you read the "POI Search..." thread to see why the software doesn't work.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,966
Likes: 1
Yes, please do read this thread so you can judge for yourself the never-ending rant of this particular poster. Yes, the POI search could be better and, no, it is not guaranteed to have every imanigable location in it's data base, but the Nav is a great tool. Not only has it always gotten me where I'm going, it has provided realtime traffic conditions.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Nav or No Nav System?
If you have the extra money to throw away, get the Nav. BUT, don't get it for the, ah, err um, "Nav", get it for all the other features it offers: PDC display, Bluetooth integration, software settings, traffic info....
Then, go out and get yourself a Garmin Nuvi or similar NAVIGATION unit, and mount it next to your dash on the left side of the steering wheel. Use that one for Nav, use the built in ripoff "Nav" which doen't work properly, and mini doesn't want to fix or support for everything else.
I suggest you read the "POI Search..." thread to see why the software doesn't work.
Then, go out and get yourself a Garmin Nuvi or similar NAVIGATION unit, and mount it next to your dash on the left side of the steering wheel. Use that one for Nav, use the built in ripoff "Nav" which doen't work properly, and mini doesn't want to fix or support for everything else.
I suggest you read the "POI Search..." thread to see why the software doesn't work.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 1
I am a firm beleiver in some sort of NAV system even if it is not built in. I've had both types and for the life of me can't see being without one now . I've had both the Garmin and Magellan products as well as the factory built in and the yare real life savers especially if you are in a city type environment. Money well spent in my opinion.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
Birdman,
Do you still have a MINI? There was a post here about someone thinking about buying your car from a dealer. It seems it had been lemon-law purchased back by the dealer. What are you driving now?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Do you still have a MINI? There was a post here about someone thinking about buying your car from a dealer. It seems it had been lemon-law purchased back by the dealer. What are you driving now?
Inquiring minds want to know.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I love my mini, I have only 1 complaint and 1 thing I waiting for Mini to fix or refund my money.
1. Complaint: Cold start chatter. I have it, has not been fixed yet.
2. Navigation POI search feature does not work. The software WILL be fixed, or Mini/BMW will refund me $2,100.
Acutally, one other complain: The lack of better support for the armrest cell phone plugs-ins. They should offer a generic plug we can use to make our own plugs since they are not making many adapters. But that is minor.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
From: Kent, CT
Here's a link that some who don't have the Nav may find interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMveKNx99HQ For someone like me who doesn't have the Nav and has never seen it, at least it gives a hint.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 0
From: On the Oregon 5
Aren't they going to have to pay you interest, too? It's been so long since you started threatening them.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Portland oregon
Here's a link that some who don't have the Nav may find interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMveKNx99HQ For someone like me who doesn't have the Nav and has never seen it, at least it gives a hint.
that dash is hideous..... my goodness, not to offend anyone but wow i am glad that is not my dash
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 0
From: On the Oregon 5
That's the same way those of us with the navigation system feel: that the speedo on cars without the nav system leaves a lot to be desired.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 6
Here's a link that some who don't have the Nav may find interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMveKNx99HQ For someone like me who doesn't have the Nav and has never seen it, at least it gives a hint.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 0
From: Outside of Phila, PA
I have bought cars both with and without the NAV option (not including my MINI, I bought it pre-owned). If you want to have the seamless look of NAV in your console and want to fork out the dough; that is your choice. You can get a good external navigation system for much less then what the dealer is offering as the option. Yeah, its not as pretty, but it costs less and does the same thing, and might possibly have even more features.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
I have bought cars both with and without the NAV option (not including my MINI, I bought it pre-owned). If you want to have the seamless look of NAV in your console and want to fork out the dough; that is your choice. You can get a good external navigation system for much less then what the dealer is offering as the option. Yeah, its not as pretty, but it costs less and does the same thing, and might possibly have even more features.
Even if your aftermarket GPS has traffic alerts, it wont pause the audio when giving voice directions, traffic alerts, or for a phone call.
