Then why was that reviewer using FM?! Crazy.

 

Yes, but the text-to-speech conversion on the Garmin units can be entertaining. I've had mine translate "FM" (farm-to-market road) as "Federated States of Micronesia", and the "M" in "Charles M. Langford Parkway" as the Roman numeral 1,000, leading to "Charles the one-thousandth Langford Parkway".

 

I disagree with that view. First of all, an OEM Nav doesn't prevent you from using an aftermarket unit, so why should it drag down the value of the car? Second, although OEM Nav technology lags behind the aftermarket, it's not exactly a night and day difference. It's still within the same general ballpark. But the bottom line is, what does it do exactly to the resale value. As a sanity check, look at Kelly Blue Book for the effect of various options on a car's value.

My opinion is that OEM Nav will become an increasingly valuable option because it adds something very special: a large high resolution display. The trend in the auto industry is increasing integration of different subsystems in the car, and the display will be used to much greater advantage than it is today. There will be an increasing number of features and options that you cannot get unless you have a Nav screen. Look at what is already happening in the R56. Just off the top of my head, these are a few options that become far superior when combined the OEM Nav:

• iPod interface
• Bluetooth phone interface
• Park distance control

My point is that the decision to get OEM Nav is no longer just a question of how good the actual navigation system is.

 

Actually, the new higher-sensitivity SiRF GPS receivers are a fairly recent development, and something that can't be updated with either a firmware or a software patch. Just the difference between my two-year old Garmin 276c and my new Nuvi is amazing. I can sit in my living room and get a ten-satellite lock, plus WAAS, just with the Nuvi's built-in patch antenna. With my older (but still high-end) Garmin, I could be sitting in the garage with the garage door open and not lock onto a single satellite.

Aftermarket GPS companies also seem to be better about updating the firmware and system software than car manufacturers, probably because updating the handheld units is just a matter of plugging them into a computer and running the automatic update software. Just in the few months I've owned my Nuvi, the updates have added additional languages, improved Bluetooth connectivity, added different vehicle icons, improved the sound quality, and improved the touch-screen sensitivity, among other enhancements. Does anyone really believe the OEM updates are less frequent because they got everything perfect right out of the gate?

Also, if you have one of the older OEM Nav systems that's CD-ROM based, you may be out-of-luck for map updates at all. And what's going to happen to the current DVD-based units if one of the new Hi-Def DVD standards becomes the norm for map updates? The car companies simply aren't that motivated to provide long-term support for their NAV units.

 

I don't think that having OEM Nav will drive the market value of a used car below that of a non-Nav-equipped car, but I do see the used Nav-equipped cars not commanding much of a premium over equivalent non-Nav cars. Considering the $2000-$4000 price tag for many of the OEM Nav systems, that can make the difference between a used car that's depreciated 40% versus one that's depreciated 60% (or more).

Of course, Nav is far from the only option that doesn't do much to enhance the resale value once the car's more than two or three years old, but it's one of the most-expensive such options.

 

Well Stated Scott....

 

The different accent voices are fun as well. The woman's voice with an Australian accent butchered the Spanish street names, here in California, in a most amusing way. The American accent voice got them right about 90% of the time.

 

Personally, I don't care if it raises or lowers the resale value -- I got it to use, for ME to enjoy. Not for the next person who has the car.

 

lol...I can feel the heat generated by this topic. I'm sure the OEM Nav is a wonderful option, and the extras like blue tooth are nice as well. I think we started this thread by comparing OEM Navs prices and aftermarket ones.Those that have the OEMS seem very pleased and thats all that matters :-)

 

Aye, I didn't think about the resale value when I ordered mine with the NAV system. I too, ordered it for me.

 

I don't care either - every car I've sold has been close to the bottom of the depreciation curve already. I was just explaining the language used in the report, and explaining how high-cost / low-residual-value options (like OEM Nav) can increase the *percent* depreciation rate over non-equipped cars, even if it doesn't drive the actual market value below that of non-equipped cars.

 

I kept my last car for 18 years. I may not keep the MINI that long, but resale value is not a major issue for me.

The things that persuaded me to pay $2100 for the NAV were:
1. I wouldn't have to have the pie-plate speedometer.
2. The Parking Distance Control graphic is very cool.
3. The NAV screen is large, easy to use, and impresses my friends.
4. It makes the MINI cockpit look more like something out of Star Trek and less like something out of a Mickey Mouse cartoon.
5. The integration with the HIFI, Bluetooth, and OBC is practical and aesthetically pleasing.
6. I like the peripheral speedometer.
7. Did I mention that it looks cool?

 

Hey thats swell Robin...you sound very pleased..

 

I did not read any of this thread but your question, and will simply say this:

I would not own this car without the Nav in it, period. Everything integrates nicely into it, especially things like the software settings for the car (driving lights on or off, settign the time delay for parking lights to go off, how blinkers work...), you set them all with the nice big LCD screen and joystick. Why foolaround with the blinker stalk and holding it in.... Then there is the PDC display on it (park dist control), works great. Playing MP3's on a CD, the all the folder and track titles are nicely displayed and easy to navigate thru on the nice big LCD screen. The bluetooth and phone stuff displays nicely.... Then of course, throw in that it is NAVIGATION, has a POI (poitns of interest db) and it's voice integrates with the stereo (turns off music when it talks to you...).

I could not see NOT getting it, UNLESS, you could not afford it. But if you have the money, BUY IT.

 

Thanks Birdman, that's a great illustration of the point I was trying to make a few posts earlier -- that the Nav option is no longer just about navigation. In coming years, we can expect this to be increasingly the case throughout the auto industry.

I'd forgotten about the programmable options (previously settable only by the dealer, in the R56 now set by the owner). Almost unbelievable, but I've seen in the MINI2 forum that a few of the programmable options simply cannot be set (not even by the dealer) if you don't have Nav.

 

I'm glad you can afford the OEM Nav system, but you don't have to slam the standard speedometer. I wanted the Nav, but I had to cut costs with 2 children in college. It's pretty insensitive for you to essentially make fun of us that don't have exorbitant amounts of cash lying around. I hope you're enjoying your elitist position!

 

Thanks UCBROTHER......I tried to smooth the ruffled feathers with my quoted statement above. Its great that those that have the OEM are happy. But obviously its necessary for some to pound their opinion into this forum, and make those with a different opion look like they are ignorant. Let it go get what you want and drive with a grin...

 

I was expressing my feelings about the aesthetics of the speedometer vs. the NAV. Nothing to do with elitism. Using "pie-plate" and "cartoon" to describe the speedometer is not something I originated. Those terms have been used numerous times here on NAM.

Some people like the big speedo. Many don't. Because it is a rather unusual feature, and so prominent, it tends to invoke strong opinions. Don't take it personally.

If you look at this thread carefully you will find post that imply that those of us who spent $2100 on the NAV are idiots. That's their opinion. I'm not going to get upset about it. I'm just going to express my opinions.

 

I for one do not think you or anyone else is an "idiot" for buying the Nav. Like I said, if I had my way, I would have it too. I'm glad you could afford it, and I didn't blast you for buying it. I've just always had it in me to take up for others, and I felt it needed to be said. But as you point out, this is a forum to express opinions. I just try not to be offensive when expressing mine. With that said, I probably should apologize for the "elitist" comment.

But back to the OP, as I said before, get what you can live with paying for. I'm sure you'd be happy with the Nav if you can afford it. If not, well we can't all be big ballers!

 

I'm one of the group for which cost wasn't the main consideration. I got the nav because I think the stock speedo is a terriible use of dash real estate, and I like the ipod integration option.

I long ago learned that if I was going to have pay thousands for a vehicle that I will be spending a lopt of time in, I might as well get the features that I like.

The only exception was the anthracite headliner. The extra $200 is pure theft for something that doesn't cost a penny more to produce.

 

Anyone know how to update the firmware or at least the maps? Many major cities are not on my maps. Mine's an '03, and I think its CD based. I looks like a MK3.

Thanks,

 

I have no idea what format the maps are in/on in an '03. Post that in the 1st generation forums you'll probably get some help. (I didn't know they had nav in a mini in '03??)

As for the new BMW R56 mini's, the maps are on a DVD, which is behind the CD player. The face of the CD player pops off, and the DVD is ejected and/or inserted there. Updated maps are available via BMW/Mini. The maps on my new MINI, are dead on in my area. Amazingly, they show a brand new street which was just built and paved a few weeks ago. Must have been on planning for a while or something....

Anywhoozle.

 

My nav is under the passanger seat, CD based. Its still an old 2-D based point of view, and north is always up, which drives me nuts...

I had to use my garmin to take it on a road trip last week, which makes the in dash unit useless.

 

so am I.