Hello, asking for thoughts from all of you again.

This afternoon I will be going down to the dealer and picking up my Cooper. It does not have navigation or the HIFI options. I can live with the standard radio for a number of months as I listen to my nano via FM most of the time and that is not optimal anyway.

My real question is about three accessories I want for my MINI to add function. Which should be first and what opintions do any of you have on the units I like or the the ones you know and like.

1. Garmin Nuvi (350, 360/370 or 660)

2. Radar Detector --- Valentine or Escort 8500 (I think that is the latest in Escort)

3. ScanGauge 3 in 1 Unit to track the engine and CELs.

I will be buying one or two of these as my initial budget allows, but I do need some input from others who have their new and old MINIs.

Thank you,
Don S.

Along with a few other mods to enhance my outside driving experience.

i have the same issue with the navigation... can't decide between 370, 660, or 670
the good thing in the 6*0 they have FM transmitter.. but the 370 is portable

I have the 660 it fits easily in my pocket and it has a rechargable battery so you can even use it walking around in a city you don't know, in fact I've done that several times and didn't find it to be bulky at all also I prefer the larger screen when driving.

so is the 660 or 670 better?

I think the only difference between them is who provides the real time traffic info I think for the 660 it's Garmin and for the 670 it's MSN.

The 660 and 670 are identical except that the 670 is a bit wider screen. The 680 is the one with MSN traffic/weather updates, otherwise identical to the 670. I got the 680 recently and I love it. But some like the 660 because it's a hair smaller. Personal preference unless you want the weather/traffic, then the 680 is the way to go.

I just went to the Garmin website the screen dimensions and the dimensions for the 660, 670, and 680 are exactly the same. I think the 670 also has European maps preloaded though (or whatever they mean by yes(transatlantic)).

It's simply the best radar detector out there, period. It can scan BOTH front and back, as well as being able to detect radar off to the side of the car.

I just bought a Garmin Nuvi 200 and love it FWIW the Garmin site has it listed for $428.00 and the place I bought it (ABC Warehouse) had it for $399.00, but because my wife and I have bought everything for our last 2 houses there he knocked off $30.00, so I paid $369.00. Talk about something that makes you want to go out and drive even more, I didn't think that was humanly possible!