I have a 2006 Mini Cooper with the Navigation System. I really hate the Nav. since it's not touch screen & just has a very poor menu system (IMHO). I wish I had ordered the regular speedometer or the chrono pack as I now have a portable GPS system I use (Nuvi 350). Is there any way I can replace the Nav. system with the Chrono Pack? Or is that just plain silly?

 

Is there a way? Yes.
Would it cost less than selling your car and buying one with the Chrono? Probably not.

You'd need new wiring harnesses, all the senders for the gauges, etc. LOTS o' stuff, lots o' $.
The MINI interface isn't the best, but I've gotten used to it, as have others. The benefits - always having it there, no wires, British voice all make it worth it for me.

But hey, if you do the swap, many folks are looking to upgrade their CD based systems for the DVD one...

 

Hmmm I've thought about doing it the other way round a few times. I don't think that a Nav to chrono/speeedo would cost more than $500 (200-300 for the guage itself maybe a harness and that would be it do install in a weekend to save some dough) You won't have to worry about loosing indicators and the NAV already has the OBC feed so it at least gets the signal for everything the guages will display.

 

probably not worth the mod at the end of the day. Cost and the amount of work invovled... probably easier trading in the car.

 

Same thing was said abotu a 500WHP MINI

 

How long have you had the car? The Nav system can be frustrating at first... it does take some getting used to. Also, have you done the software updates (v27.1, or 4-1/71), and do you have the latest map disc? (2006-2) Those improvements also make a significant difference in the quality of the experience. I'm not saying that your complaints aren't valid though... but keep in mind that there are other benefits of the Nav system too, including the ability to hook up a video input (such as a DVD player, PlayStation, TV tuner or even the OEM front and rear cameras!), or call info with the right bluetooth system.

 

I'd have to dissagree...I have seen/used just about every type of integrated Nav systems in production and the Mini's is THE most intuitive, user-friendly units out there. Given a little time to "hard-wire" the button/menu path into your head, you'll find it to be easy to navigate.

Touch screens suc! The screen is always covered with finger prints and hitting the wrong button on a crowded screen can be frustrating. Also, the Mini's unit allows access to nav input and information while driving...most others require you to come to a complete stop

 

Same here & I have an older CD version.
jpsmini - if you do do the swap I'd be interested in the DVD part of your system for my car.

 

Sorry I'm not answering your question here, but I'm going to have to second MSFITOY's opinion here. I've used lots of OEM and portable GPS systems and I've never been happy with any of them. My wife's Acura with touch screen nav is horrific, takes forever to enter addresses due to delays between touches, screen looks awful from use, and has routed us several times in a infinite continuous loop. Rerouting takes over 30 seconds; an eternity if you've missed a turn. You won't ever find me praising a "touch screen" NAV system. I've found the portable models to be very unreliable with frequent drop outs whereas the OEM models have sensors for vehicle speed and steering angle so they can interpolate when needed.

The new 2.7 updates have fixed my biggest complaints about the OEM NAV (perspective 3D mode that can be turned on or off, state selection so I don't have to look at cities in other states, and postal code selection so I can enter an address even faster). Anything else is a minor feature I'd like, but nothing worth complaining about.

As others suggested, I'd recommend you play some more with the OEM model before you write it off completely.

Also, by my work in Milstinkass (Milpitas), there is a huge rash of theives breaking into people's cars to steal portable GPS units. I'm surprised more people don't lock up their portable GPS units when they are not using them.

 

What I love about the Mini's nav is that while traveling, I can search the area for gas, food (ethnic choice too!), parks, etc, etc...It has taken us to the Dragon for the last two years and never a drop out through the mountains...zoomed in perspective can be useful to see which way the road is going to turn as we're blastin over the hill Oh...I have the 03 DVD and there's no whip antenna to boot

 

Are you located in the Northeast? Would you consider a swap, crono for GPS? Just wondering...

 

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I've been without my Mac due to repairs, but I'm back online.

I've had the Mini since October 31, 2005. I love everything about it except the Nav system. There's a lot for me to dislike about it. For example, I want to find a specific store that's close by. It forces me to choose a category by by pushing & scrolling that damn wheel, and if I choose the wrong category, the search fails.

I've had a Honda Accord with a touchscreen gps & it was very good. Fast, big screen, easy to find things quickly. I now have a Garmin Nuvi 350 which is excellent. Also a touch screen, and it can find something by simply spelling the name & not having to choose a category, etc. It is also very portable so I can put it in it's holder & take it out in about 2 seconds. I also use it on my motorcycle so it comes in handy for both vehicles.

Yes, I would consider a swap depending on what it would cost to have it all rewired, etc. But most of you seem to think that would be costly & difficult to do.

I've given the Nav. 9 months to learn & try & still hate it. Love the Garmin Nuvi 350. Just my preference.

PS...I live in the Cleveland area if anyone might be interested in a swap...

 

What would be really cool would to be to replace the existing factory nav screen with Garmin's StreetPilot 7200. It has a huge 7" touch screen that uses the same basic User Interface as the nuvi does (and it even has video inputs so that you could play movies on the screen, etc.).

I'd bet that you could easily swap out the factory nav screen with the 7200 and then re-install the factory nav if you ever decide to sell your MINI. Now that would be SUPER cool in my book!

BTW, I have the factory nav in my MINI as well. I really like it but I find it near impossible to use to find POI's (restaurants, gas stations, etc.). It's fine if you have an actual address, but other than that, its search functions totally suck. Thus, like you, I bought a nuvi 360 and LOVE it!

 

If you do change it out, I'de still be interested in the DVD portion of the system.
The Garmin Nuvi is the slickest Nav system I've seen. Pocket size, touch screen, long battery life, for starters.....

 

you know, i called flo mini asking if i could upgrade my cd system to a dvd. they told me no, it was way too involved with wiring ect. i called a second time and they told me it couldnt be done.
hummmmm

 

It's almost a straight swap. If you Google it, you will find the info. I have seen it done on an 02 Mini without issue. I won't speculate on what was done to make the swap. This swap was made with a DVD unit from a salvage 3 series BMW. All the connectors look to be the same ( I saw them both out of the car ). When I see my neighbor I'll ask him what, exactly, he did.

Any other info would be very helpfull.

 

I have the standard speedometer in my car. Just a question is it possible to swap the stock one for the nav? Do i have to have a chrono package for the speedo amd tacho? Tnx