The voice recognition feature of my MINI isn't working. My dealer says it's the first 2007 MINI with Nav that they sold and they have no idea why. First, they tried to explain to me that Bluetooth is for the phone. Very nice, I said, but I am not talking about Bluetooth. Finally got through to them that I am talking about voice recognition, not bluetooth. Bring it in, they say. I bring it in. Go through the same bluetooth thing again. Finally, they look at it (this was Saturday). They say, can I bring it back. It's a big job, they have to take apart the dash. Translation: They need to call MINI 'cause they don't know what the s*** they are doing. So, I have an appointment Thursday. At least I am getting a loaner. Of course, first thing they tried to do was blame my radar detector. This must be item 1 or 2 on the list of "things to balme on the customer" because, if you get a flat, first thing they do is blame the radar detector. (I tested the VR with the radar detector unplugged). Anyway, I am hoping it's an easy fix, but worried these dufi will just start dismantling the car. ANyone else have VR problems. BTW, I did activate it on the set-up.

 

Good luck.. I have nav on mine and should get it in the next few days. Hope all goes well.

 

Have you tried a British accent?

 

Thanks! I tried all kinds of accents. It's not that it doesn't understand me; it doesn't activate at all.

 

This does not surprise me. BMW has has nav/voice recognition issues with many of their vehicles. Unfortunately, BMW builds great engines, suspensions, etc, but they really are not too swift in the electronics department. The Japanese build the best Nav units, but I assume that BMW is reluctant to sub this sub-system out to them.

Try to be patient...they will figure it out eventually, but don't get your hopes up that it will ever work as well as voice activation in an Acura.

 

The electronics for all the high end German cars are far behind the Japanese. However, I believe MINI did sub out the Navigation. I have had a lot of nav systems, German and Japananese, and this one is def the best. I am failry certain it's just a dealer programmable code that they forgot to activate.

 

Maybe the VR button itself is defective?

When you push it, does it beep to indicate it's "listening" or does simply nothing happen?

 

Could be. No, there is no beep.

 

Do you mean bluetooth?

(sorry couldn't help myself)

 

If there is no beep that it's like the button itself is defective. When I press the VR button there is always a beep indicating that it's time to say the command. Have your dealer check out the button.

 

Got an appt. for Thurs and I'll let you know. You could be right, but I suspect it's software.

 

Got mine last night and samething.. please let me know if there is a fix

 

There better be no IF about it. I'll let you know. Where did your car come in? Could be an education problem at the VDC.

 

It came in to SC VDC. I called my dealer about it, and they are working on it.

Have they done anything to yours yet, and if so what?

 

I have an appt on Thursday. I am sure they are trying to find out what to do, since they didn't even seem to know what it was when I told them about the problem.

 

lynell I have the same problem with mine. I will be going today to pick up my floor mats so i will ask around, but they hadnt heard of any problems

 

There is a bulliton on it that just came out, it needs a reprogram. I'm going in on Tuesday.

 

thanks dxl007. is this a disk they need or should they have everything?

 

anyone? dxl you already went in? how long did it take?

 

No I go in on Tuesday. And its an update from BMW they get.

 

dxl, is it an upgrade just for units that are unresponsive, or an upgrade for all NAV units? We got ourcar March 24th and the NAV has been wonderful.

 

Hi everyone, like many of you I have the same issue. I got my Mini two days ago and I tried to use VC with no success. I called the service rep that quickly told me that the feature was not supposed to work for the north America mini's.
I am glad that you have found out that it is just and update mater.
I have an appointment for this coming Wednesday were I will try tell the service rep about the info I got here. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

I have found in my short experience that my dealer gets quite defensive when they dont know an answer. especially when I do. hehe

 

Okay. So, my dealer had the car for 2 days, during which time they did nothing. They were supposed to find out what to do during the past week BEFORE I brought it in, but, of course they didn't. They gave me a Hyaundai Elantra as a loaner --- gee thanks. I go to pick up my car today, so I can at least have it for the weekend (an hour drive to the dealer). I get there to have them inform me that MINI has told them it needs a software download, which takes 7 hours. So, next week I will make the trip again. They did wash my car, at least and, surprisingly, the hand wash it.

 

a 7 hour software download? so a button can work? is there anything else the software will effect?