I'm one of those who's upgraded their '03 MCS to the current latest and greatest model and noticed that while many of the features have been improved, the cool "Shark-fin" of my '03 NAV equipped MCS:



... isn't present on my '05 NAV equipped MCS:



What gives??? MINI trying to save a few bucks?

 

Damn, I had no idea ... I don't know if the other antenna is cheaper compared to the shark antenna.

Honestly though, look at a 5-series with the shark fin. It looks awfully huge. I think the antenna in pic #2 would look much better.

 

Maybe it's because rasio reception is so bad with the window antenna of the earlier nav equiped cars. The old shark fin is much nicer IMHO as I do have one, but radio reception is the pits!

 

Are you saying the NAV system is much improved or the car is? I can't imagine the NAV system being much improved from anything. Its very subpar to every other NAV system I've played around with.

Canceling directions mid route, doesn't remove the white line showing you were you were going and it keeps updating like your going the wrong way.

Can't save house # and description in address book. One or the other.

No touch screen.

Needs another button or two. 1 **** for all controls is somewhat of a pain.

Searching for a specific destination (store/food place) is way to tedious.

 

New antenna looks much nicer IMO. . . . .

 

Ditto, I wouldn't get it again.

 

wow... glad i read this page! i am not going to install it now! im sorry you guys had those problems!

 

I think MINI did it for commonality... They no longer need a seperate antenna for the Nav cars it's the same with or without. They've eliminated the need for the antenna in the window and the added cost that goes with that...

As for the system itself... It's an ok system, it's not the best out there, but from what I hear there are much, much worse systems out there. I've been pretty satisfied with the one in my Cooper, especially once I got over the expectation that it would be just like Hertz's NevrLost.

 

Actually in this post I was commenting on the antenna specifically. If you're talking about the car itself I plan to have a review in a seperate thread where I feel they've made improvements.

If you want to talk about the NAV unit itself, then yes, it is much improved since the '03 MCS model I had (CD based). This is the best unit BMW has made yet that I've used... is it better than it's counterparts in Japanese cars? No. But if you want an integrated unit in your MINI that works with the onboard computer, then this is worthwhile.

Initial map calculations are quicker, reroutes are quicker, the interface is improved with more detail available on locations. As for the other issues you mentioned:

- Personally I like the white line, I like using it as an active reference point when I don't have the NAV directing me.

- By saving description and house number, are you referring to a name for the address you're trying to save? I don't have a problem saving a house number and assigning a name in my address book.

- Touch screen, can be nice depending on the interface and it's ability to read inputs. About the only thing I don't like about touchscreen units is all the greasy fingerprints.

- One Button operation doesn't bother me, but again, I've been using BMW's system almost exclusively for 3 years so I'm pretty use to it.

I'm not defending the unit, it has it's flaws, but it is the best unit I've tried from BMW and I don't regret getting it on the new Mini. I'm just surprised by the lack of Sharkfin, I prefer it over the radio control car antenna look.

 

"- By saving description and house number, are you referring to a name for the address you're trying to save? I don't have a problem saving a house number and assigning a name in my address book."


If you go to address book and click add an address it doesn't give you an option to add the street #, only a description. Yet if you just enter an address normally, then click on add that to the address book it doesnt give you the option to add a description.

Howard

 

I like the old-style shark fin better, but I think the new one will grow on me.

 

Admittedly I haven't tried adding an address without entering it as a destination beforehand (I always seem to want to save it after the fact since it would be a current destination) but I've had no problem editing the default description (NAME) of an exact address to my choosing before adding it to the address book. This is using all the different versions of BMW's NAV system I've used/owned, a '00 E46 (4:3 CD), '02 E46 M3 (16:9 CD), '03 MCS (16:9 CD) and '05 MCS (16:9 DVD).

If it's a bug maybe updating to the latest NAV software will help your editing issues.

 

I'm sure I'm inviting getting flamed here, but I just don't see that MINI and NAV belong in the same sentence. This is the car for folks that one to drive, not be obsesive about the next turn!

Of course, maybe it is just that it wouldn't work in Guatemala and that I'm jealous!

Bottom line, I guess those that buy NAVs must like them.

 

The nav is awesome - lets you drive anywhere and know you can find your way back Also finds gas stations, restaurants, etc for you if needed.

Seriously, I use it all the time to find places, find alternate routes, etc and I'm thrilled at how much faster the DVD nav is vs the previous CD based version.

 

The new antenna "can meet the needs of the standard radio, Sirius digital radio and the MINI Navigation system in one unit." Per the article linked below.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/...omes_to_an_end
That said, I LOVE the shark fin, and glad I got an '04 that still has it. I know it's ridiculous, but it makes me smile every time I look at the car.

Guatemini, the Nav allows me (and the wife) to enjoy getting where we're going, and not fuss about how to get there. It's decadent, but worth it. :smile:

That said, I've got the same issue as others in not being able to store a hosue number in the address book. User error? When adding an address to the book, it doesn't give me a number option - only after I've pulled it up can I put in the number.

 

There is ONE big advantage over the new antennae over the old shark fin--you can mount an antennae ball!!! :smile: :smile: :smile:

I've got the Shark fin and love it for its uniqueness. I have NO radio reception issues--although I prefer no commercial music with my own CD's.

I've got a 2003 MC, but it was one of the first of the DVD based systems, and it's great!

 

So, I'm curious - were the shark fins color coded to match the roof (as they are on BMWs) or were they all black on Minis?

 

I believe they are all black. Atleast on my white roof, mine is black.