I'm still tinkering with the configurator trying to come up with a JCW I will be satisfied with but can actually afford. I am probably going to have to choose between the JCW aero kit, which I love, or the navigation system, which I pretty much need just to find my way out of my own driveway
An alternative would be to get the aero kit and then buy one of those inexpensive GPS dealies that stick on the windshield or dash.
Anybody have experience using these two types of navigation sysytems? Pros/Cons of either one would be appreciated. So far I've just been using my Storm for navigation but it's hard to use while driving.
Is there anything about the MINI in-dash system that makes it so much better than the cheaper ones? It's hard to imagine it being worth the hefty $2k pricetag.

 

Surfblue replies: Doc, that thing is too much money. I considered it but quickly figured out that the biggest drawback beyond the price is the thing is built into your dashboard and that big center speedo, and in a year or so when the unit is out of date (let's face it, everything electronic like computers is out of date the moment it's sold) you're still stuck with this thing in your dashboard. Just get a Garmin unit that suits you and stick it on your dash. Being able to take the unit and hide it in your trunk if parked for a while is a bonus, too. A decent Garmin unit is downright CHEAP compared to what that in dash BMW/Mini thingy will cost you. Good luck!

 

I have OEM NAV in my '04. I also picked up a Garmin 250 to take with us on a trip to Boston in a couple of weeks just to have something to use while walking and playing tourist.

I find that the Garmin is a little more accurate in getting to your destination.. Usually within just a few feet where the OEM can be off by a couple of houses on a street. There are route choices i can make with the built-in that i don't have with the Garmin (Admittedly it's one of the less expensive models).

For instance, you can compare fast route, and short route, avoid toll roads or highways, and other things. My Garmin just gets me there the way it knows best.. (unless there is something I haven't found yet in the settings menu..I have only had it a short time and haven't learned everything yet.)

The big advantage of the Garmin is that it'll fit in your pocket and run on internal power for about 5 hours of wandering around and finding points of interest while traveling.

Choices--Choices (just my 2 cents worth)

Jim

 

The navigation function itself is not one of the better ones, compared to aftermarket or offered by other car manufacturers.

However, you have to weigh other factors

• whether you prefer the look over the standard speedo
• if you use iPod and Bluetooth, the Nav interface is vastly superior
• some other car functions have better interface on the Nav display

The JCW aero kit can always be added later and doesn't have to be ordered with the car (it's done by the dealer anyway).

 

Doc, I agree with surfblue and qxxotic, aftermarket is the way to go. I've been a Garmin user for about five years now and am very pleased with the user interface and the accuracy. I bought a second Garmin a few months ago to get bluetooth. It's a model c550, which is the old CRT model that has the same user interface as the numi flat panels. It only cost $158 on the internet which is about a third of what I paid for the first one a few years ago. The Garmin can be updated every year, and I don't know if the installed one is updatable. Before you decide find out how to update it.

I can't see paying $2K for a navigation unit.

 

I have the OEM nav in my MINI, I am very happy with it. I have a GARMIN in my other vehicle, and that is a very good nav system as well. I like the fact that the MINI Nav replaces the big Speedo. My speedo is moved over next to the Tach behind the steering wheel, which I find to be a more practical design., just MHO. Good luck with your deliberations!.

 

I have the NAV, and have used a friend's Garmin in another car. I prefer the NAV. Neither is perfect, but the Garmin had errors the NAV did not. I also dislike the available voice in the Garmin. The USA accent (actually a mid-west accent of some sort) has the word timing wrong. Instead of saying "Highway 85" it says "HighwayHaiti 5." The Aussie accent completely butchers Spanish street names.

The NAV has a traffic alert system that will guide you around traffic jams. This has been very helpful in San Jose and Los Angeles. I believe it only covers cities.

If you have an iPod/iPhone and the Bluetooth/USB option, the NAV screen will display tracks and allow you to select songs with the NAV controls.

The NAV's trip computer is also nice. It gives you a readout on a variety of things for the trip, including mpg.

Car settings are easy to manage with the NAV screen, and there may be a couple of options you get with the NAV that aren't available without it.

I didn't really think I needed a NAV when I was thinking about ordering, but I really didn't like the speedo and a friend convinced me to get it. I'm really glad I did.

I'd look into the cost of adding the aero kit later. IIRC, it is added at the VDC, so they still have to remove original panels and match paint.

When you are driving, you can't see the aero kit, but you can see the NAV.

 

I specifically bought a MINI with a NAV. I have had it about a month and really glad I bought it. Most of the advantages/disadvantages have already been listed. I am a gadget guy and the NAV is a great tech add-on if you are too. The radio has a awesome cool, very different looking display. Satellite radio shows full artist names, songs, and year many places. The tire pressure monititor is cool looking. The stopwatch is great and the bluetooth information is really nice seeing a long list of people on your phone.

The NAV itself works fine and is better than the Lexus I had before. It doesn't have as many points of interest as a Garmin but you can buy DVD upgrades yearly to keep it up. And in my experience, the processor on the in-dash units like MINI's is much faster than the handhelds. The map scrolls much smoother than most of the handheld Garmins I have used.

 

Just a note, on the 2nd Gen cars, you still get the center speedo with the nav. The speedo just surrounds the nav.

That said, I'm betwixt and between on what to tell you. The Nav is one of two things I wished I had gotten when I spec'd my 1gen droptop. However, I've eyed some nice Garmins and just never bought one. The biggest disadvantage I see for myself is that the voice isn't integrated with the audio system (ie won't cut out the stereo to tell you to turn).

 

I wouldn't spend $2K on the built-in Nav. It's dated when you take delivery compared to the standalone units you can get for about 1/10th the cost. Even with the other enhancements it provides, the cost just seems so excessive.

I use a Garmin NUvi 760. It's not perfect, but it's certainly adequate.

I say get the Aero kit. That's going to be my next major mod.

 

IMO... Nav is worth it just for the way it looks alone.

 

i thought the look of the nav spoiled the mini "look"--i bought the mini portable unit which is actually a garmin 360--the bracket mounts to the back of the tac with the gps unit to the left of the tac--$500 installed ($420 parts)--another dealer wanted $750 installed--this same dealer wanted to charge me $400 for the unit and $200 for the bracket which according to the other dealer came with the gps unit--something sounds crooked

 

I thought the same on the 1st gen.

 

I'm thrilled with my purchase. If you can afford it - do it!

A) Communication: iPhone, hands free, good data display. I am a heavy phone user

B) Music: iPod, full display, nice menu tree

C) Navigation. Fully integrated with A & B above. This is a solid, well thought through, device. Once you understand how to utilize the menu tree and have selected the perspective you are comfortable with - it rocks.

Combine all three with a good iDrive interface (takes time to learn) the Nav Option is an absolute must have. I'm thrilled I checked this option box - it elevates an excellent roar car to an vehicle that is "off-da-hook".

 

I have the built-in unit in my Audi, and aftermarket in my MINI. I much prefer my aftermarket Sony Nav with bluetooth, and instant traffic at one fifth the price and portability. It is a no-brainer decision for me. I will never buy built-in unit again. And to upgrade the built-in after a few years, you have to buy a DVD that cost as much as a brand new portable unit.

 

My 2009 Clubman S that I bought off a dealer's lot came with the Nav system (and the stock aero kit btw). I would never have ordered the Nav if I custom-ordered the car. But once I started using it, I find that I love it! As far as the navigation system is concerned, it starts up so much faster than my portable Garmin Nuvi 350. With the Garmin, it would typically take 3-5 minutes for it to find the satellite, too long if you are already on the road! With the Mini Nav, it only takes seconds for it to calculate and find the fastest route. One other thing that I discovered, I can use voice commands with my Nav, a great thing that allows you to keep your eyes on the road while you're trying to navigate (no pun intended) the menus.

 

Some good points on both sides, although I'm leaning toward not getting it now. I didn't realize I would have to keep buying expensive DVD's to keep it current. I think at this point I will have to be REALLY impressed with the music interface when I test drive one with Nav to change my mind. Thanks for the info everyone.

 

Unless you live in an area with explosive growth, high business turnover or constant street renaming/reconfiguration/removals, buying an expensive DVD is not a big concern. The DVD should be good for about two to three years if you live in a stable area and get you to a majority of destinations, IMO. Again, unless you live or plan to travel to areas described above.

We receive bi-annual NAVTEQ street data at work, and our comparisions don't see very much change in the urban areas. The suburban areas where new subdivisions are going in are where the big changes are. Even with new subdivisions going in, i've been able to get myself close enough to friends new house where I could figure out the last few streets or call for the last few turns.

If you want good POI search, don't get it. lol

 

Haven't updated the NAV DVD in my 2007 MCS. Hasn't been a problem for me.

 

The thing to remember, as others have already kinda pointed out, is that the nav system is really a complete car interface. Everything is managed through it. For me, thats a big selling point, although that still makes the 2k price tag a bit hard to swallow.

 

I think a cheap Garmin is the way to go. For $220 you can get a portable unit with free traffic updates for life that you can load up with red light camera points of interest and customize to your liking.

If money is no object, then the built in navi is much cooler and if you get PDC and bluetooth, it's just that much better. I haven't used the factory navi much, but I can't justify spending that much for nav on a car like this, I'd rather get some JCW parts.

I'd get the JCW kit and stick a Garmin onto your oversized speedo.