I'm trying to decide what options to order on my S. I like the idea of having nav, but I'm trying to justify the cost considering the only option I've ruled out so far is the park distance control. After driving an SUV for 5 years, I'm highly doubting I'll have much trouble parking something as small as a Mini.

Is the Mini navigation system similar to the BMW system at all? DVD or CD based? Touchscreen? Has anybody else opted for it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mike

 

Sorry, not too sure about the operations of the Sat. Nav. but have you seen where they put it. No way I'm sticking with the classic centre speedo (or tacho for us here in Oz).

Interesting though, we don't have the option of park distance control with the 'S' only the Cooper. As you said, not like we are going to need it. Another option for the space starved Europeans!

 

The nav system is CD-ROM based. Quite frankly, I don't like the look of it (square peg, round hole, etc.) and I think it's overpriced for what you get. From what I've heard, for less money you could get handheld devices with better GPS-system software, and of course you'd have greater utility with the portable system's other features. I also think the center speedo gives the car all that much more character. Some have criticized it because its position results in a difficult reading, but it's so darn big I don't see how this could be a major issue. Plus it pays homage to the classic Mini's layout, which I think is a very nice thing indeed.

 

im trying to decide on my preordered 06 mcs. to get the factory navigation or not.does any know if a stereo upgrade can be made with the factory navigation?i was told the factory navigation is looped through the audio system and therefore would be neutralized.is that true?i want to get the alpine 9853 0r the 9855 ....... or forget about the factory nav and go with the pricy ivad310 alpine .all in one

 

If you want a good built in nav, go pioneer avn1. Otherwise, I would forget about it and go aftermarket so its portable.

 

The nav system is DVD based (as of mid 03 production) and the same unit they use in the BMWs. I find it very fast and works well (meaning it gets me where I am going, which is the point of having it, plus it has other location info like restaurants, banks, etc). The location is also perfect for viewing and using by the driver or passenger (and it is very nice that you can use it while in motion unlike many other systems). I also prefer it there to the speedo since I do not need everyone else in the car staring at my speed. A nice side benfit is being able to turn off the monitor completely for a nice dark interior when you want it - on the road the darkness can be soothing to the eyes and the nav can still be voice guiding you if you want.

I am one foot out the door so I do not have time to give a longer reply or search for you, but if you do a search on Nav here and on Mini2 you are sure to find a lot of info and opinions.

Cheers!

 

Fiver, your information is very outdated. All factory Nav systems in MINIs for the last several years are DVD-ROM based.

miket, I have the Nav and I LOVE it. It comes in handy all the time, if driving to a place that isn't one of your usual stops. No need to mess with mapquest/google maps and printouts. If you make a wrong turn, the system automatically corrects, and either turns you around, or recalculates a different route from where you ended up. If you get stuck in traffic, you can just tell it "new route for X miles" and it will take you off that busy road and go a different way. It's so nice to have a strong informational system, with the entire country on one DVD, tied to GPS location... all built-in to the car so you can't forget it and it won't be stolen. Handheld GPS devices:
1) Can only store a limited amount of map data at once
2) Can be stolen from your car, and
3) Are not as well integrated, including lowering the stereo volume when giving directions.
The only pluses for them IMO are that they are cheaper, and you can transfer them between cars.

Here's my opinion. If you plan on keeping the car a long time, not selling it or trading it in... get it. It's worth it. However, as an option for resale or trade, you may not find it worth the extra $1700. Personally I don't regret the decision one bit.

 

Exactly what they said, we have it on our TWO MINI's!