I still have about a week and a half before my MA submits the order and have been contemplating adding the factory Nav unit, people have said the portable one has a higher chance of being stolen, even if you take the unit out and leave the mount or mount suction mark. and also the convenience package.

I really would only need the blue tooth and steering wheel of that package but don't "need to have" blue tooth but would be nice.

I was wondering if any of you have any opinions about things you consider as must have s instead of one or both of the nav and convenience pkg.

thanks

 

Love having "keyless go"

 

I bought both the navi does more then navigation, you can see who is calling on the screen, car setting..must have for me hate portables my current mini has one and i love it

 

I have the NAV, Bluetooth, and Comfort Access (part of convenience package in 2007).

I like the NAV very much. Its navigation is good. Traffic alerts have guided me around traffic jams in both Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. The integrated NAV will pause the audio to give voice commands during navigation, or for Bluetooth phone calls. If you get an aftermarket NAV, the two will compete, so you can't really play music while doing navigation.

I much prefer the look of the NAV to the cartoon speedometer. Rather have Star Trek in my car than Mickey Mouse.

The NAV also integrates the audio system, Bluetooth, and car settings. The NAV screen will display tracks playing from a CD, mp3 CD, or iPod connected to the AUX & USB that comes with Bluetooth or connected to iPod Integration. The NAV joystick or Multi-function Steering Wheel can used to control the audio. If you don't get Bluetooth or iPod integration, you can connect your iPod to the AUX, but don't get the screen listing nor control of the iPod.

The MFSW is the only way to get cruise control. You want the MFSW even if you don't get the NAV or Bluetooth. Also, its audio control under your left thumb is very useful for changing volume or radio stations.

I also like Comfort Access. I put the fob in the coin pocket of my Levis and forget about it. I unlock the door with the black button on the door handle, get in, press Stop/Start and go. Never have to handle the fob.

 

Comfort Access/Keyless Go is an excellent feature. Never having to dig around your pocket for keys is great, especially if you have grocery bags or a box or something in your hands. And my wife loves this feature in her MB as it used to take her 5 minutes to find her keys in her purse.

 

I don't have the NAV package, but do have the Convenience package which includes the Bluetooth and the Comfort Access.

I love the Bluetooth. This is the first car that I have ever had with Bluetooth. I posted a thread in the Audio/Navigation section about the odyssey of finding a phone and a cradle that works in the MINI. Now that it's in, I really like it. I never have to touch my phone when I'm in the car. It bluetooths as soon as I get in.

I like the Comfort Access too. The buttons on the doors are very convenient when you have bags in your hands. No fumbling for the key.

The Convenience package also includes the "Comfort Bluetooth" which gives you the hook-ups in the armrest for the phone cradle (which charges the phone and, in some cases, hooks the phone up to the car antenna). If you don't want to use a cradle, the armrest provides a little (very little) more storage. My only regret with the package is that it kinda ruled-out the Euro style armrest if your gonna use a cradle. The Euro armrest is much more practical since it has a lot more storage. IMO, storage areas accessible to the driver are sorely lacking in the MINI.

The Convenience package also includes the self-dimming rear view mirror, the automatic lights and rain sensing wipers, all of which I like a lot, the USB/Ipod adapter which I use all the time, the garage door opener (I don't use), and the multifuction steering wheel which includes cruise control. Maybe I'm just a gadget freak, but I wouldn't order a MINI without this package.

Also, even without the NAV, the USB/iPod information about the songs and albums does come up on the 2 line screen at the bottom of the speedometer.

Rich