[isleofbones]

Has anyone had any experience installing or using the Mini Cooper R60 Portable Nav XL with install kit? Saw pics and it sits next to speedo and tach with a custom made mounting bracket. Mini store sells it for $430. You can find it in other sites for less. I just bought the 2015 mini cooper s hardtop and could not justify the expense of the in dash nav unit / infotainment center. Wanted to know if it comes with installation instructions, if it is relatively easy to install for a weekend handyman and if anyone has feelings on its performance.
Thanks

 

[uke]

Yes, I just got it installed.

I had the MINI tech install it, and as someone who has spent a fair amount of time crawling around cars and stringing wires, I could tell the tech was not having fun doing it. He spent about 3 hours in various contorted positions, most of the time I could not see his head above the door. I remarked to my MA how it looked like the install was a huge PITA and he agreed. Said the techs groan when they hear another Garmin unit is coming in to be installed.

It looks pretty simple, but interior panels need to be removed and running the wires is challenging. The power tap is on the passenger side, which means the wires have to span the cabin. In the UK I think the cable run is much shorter and easier.

I was going to hold off on giving the unit a review since I have a couple of issues, and wanted to make sure the unit was OK before spouting off. I have an appointment with the service dept to get to the bottom of the issues (it reboots when power is applied, and I am not receiving traffic). But since you asked...

The device itself is a Nuvi and works pretty well. The user interface is simple and easy to use. The routing is good, and the map seems accurate. The device knows the speed limits of most of the streets I drive on, and it is aware of school zones.

You can select the icon for the GPS position, and they provide a few little MINI images, but no freaking VO (dagnabbit). I use the boring blue arrow.

The device mounts in the MINI "Click And Drive" mount, which attaches to the back of the speedo. The Garmin is in a good position and securely attached it doesn't shake or wobble at all. There is a short USB cable that connects the device to the Click And Drive unit.

You can't adjust the position of the device. On the one I got, the nuvi actually sat tilted a little, which looked dorky. I ended up putting a little piece of plastic in the mount to level it. Your Mileage May Vary.

If you don't want to use the unit, it's very easy to disconnect, and the arm that it mounts to rotates to the left and hides in a slit behind the speedo. You almost can't tell that it's there.

Even if you pay for the install, it's still about $1000 cheaper than the built in unit, and from what I'm seeing on the forum, the factory unit doesn't do as much (no speed limits, traffic, and you have pay for updates-- Correct me if I'm wrong, please). This unit seems a good value, considering how nicely it is integrated with the car interior.

I like it, and recommend it.

 

[radred]

I be very interested in this, could you post a few pics on what it looks like inside the mini.

 

[isleofbones]

Wow, that was really thorough feedback. Thank you.

 

[uke]

I be very interested in this, could you post a few pics on what it looks like inside the mini.

I'll try and get some pictures today. In the meantime you can google it and see lots of pictures. It looks pretty much as seen in google images.

 

[caveman dave]

Yes, I just got it installed.

I had the MINI tech install it, and as someone who has spent a fair amount of time crawling around cars and stringing wires, I could tell the tech was not having fun doing it. He spent about 3 hours in various contorted positions, most of the time I could not see his head above the door. I remarked to my MA how it looked like the install was a huge PITA and he agreed. Said the techs groan when they hear another Garmin unit is coming in to be installed.

It looks pretty simple, but interior panels need to be removed and running the wires is challenging. The power tap is on the passenger side, which means the wires have to span the cabin. In the UK I think the cable run is much shorter and easier.

I was going to hold off on giving the unit a review since I have a couple of issues, and wanted to make sure the unit was OK before spouting off. I have an appointment with the service dept to get to the bottom of the issues (it reboots when power is applied, and I am not receiving traffic). But since you asked...

The device itself is a Nuvi and works pretty well. The user interface is simple and easy to use. The routing is good, and the map seems accurate. The device knows the speed limits of most of the streets I drive on, and it is aware of school zones.

You can select the icon for the GPS position, and they provide a few little MINI images, but no freaking VO (dagnabbit). I use the boring blue arrow.

The device mounts in the MINI "Click And Drive" mount, which attaches to the back of the speedo. The Garmin is in a good position and securely attached it doesn't shake or wobble at all. There is a short USB cable that connects the device to the Click And Drive unit.

You can't adjust the position of the device. On the one I got, the nuvi actually sat tilted a little, which looked dorky. I ended up putting a little piece of plastic in the mount to level it. Your Mileage May Vary.

If you don't want to use the unit, it's very easy to disconnect, and the arm that it mounts to rotates to the left and hides in a slit behind the speedo. You almost can't tell that it's there.

Even if you pay for the install, it's still about $1000 cheaper than the built in unit, and from what I'm seeing on the forum, the factory unit doesn't do as much (no speed limits, traffic, and you have pay for updates-- Correct me if I'm wrong, please). This unit seems a good value, considering how nicely it is integrated with the car interior.

I like it, and recommend it.

Did you ever get the lack of traffic updates sorted out.

 

[jeremybingham]

As far as I'm aware you're right, no speed limits and expensive to update I'm told. Hey ho.

 

[jeremybingham]

Mine does have traffic info though but am in uk.

 

[uke]

Did you ever get the lack of traffic updates sorted out.

My MINI Parts Manager Guy tested the units he had in stock and discovered that none of them received traffic as advertised. He escalated it up to BMW.

The latest report (as of last week) is that BMW is working with Garmin to resolve the issue. The MINI Guy is keeping me updated.

 

[uke]

You can't adjust the position of the device. On the one I got, the nuvi actually sat tilted a little, which looked dorky. I ended up putting a little piece of plastic in the mount to level it. Your Mileage May Vary.
I like it, and recommend it.

It turned out that the unit can be adjusted on the MINI click-and-drive mount. On my device it was just super stiff. Once I wrenched on it a little harder, it freed up and now the unit can be be adjusted to any desired viewing angle.

 

[caveman dave]

My MINI Parts Manager Guy tested the units he had in stock and discovered that none of them received traffic as advertised. He escalated it up to BMW.

The latest report (as of last week) is that BMW is working with Garmin to resolve the issue. The MINI Guy is keeping me updated.

This fits with my investigations, Tomtom units have internal traffic antenna and use Vodaphones network for traffic updates.
However Garmin use a receiver within the power cable, this cable is not provided with MINI version of the NUVI 2497 (which would explain why its £40 cheaper than direct from Garmin) and the click and drive unit and cabling does not have a traffic receiver built in.

The only way round this will be to modify the Garmin Traffic cable by cutting off the cig lighter plug and replacing it with a USB plug and using it between the sat nav and the Click & Drive unit.

I will post up pics and info when I have built it.

 

[uke]

This fits with my investigations, Tomtom units have internal traffic antenna and use Vodaphones network for traffic updates.
However Garmin use a receiver within the power cable, this cable is not provided with MINI version of the NUVI 2497 (which would explain why its £40 cheaper than direct from Garmin) and the click and drive unit and cabling does not have a traffic receiver built in.

The only way round this will be to modify the Garmin Traffic cable by cutting off the cig lighter plug and replacing it with a USB plug and using it between the sat nav and the Click & Drive unit.

I will post up pics and info when I have built it.

According to MINI Parts Guy, the MINI unit doesn't use the cable. That's what makes the MINI unit special. I asked because I was flabbergasted that I had to pay $500 plus for a fancy, "wire-free" mounting system, and then run a stupid fat 12V cable off the fancy Click & Drive, across the dashboard into the 12V outlet.

My MINI Guy insists that the spec for the MINI Nuvi states that no special cable will be required. That's why BMW and Garmin are arguing right now in Germany. It's like somebody forgot that the MINI unit was supposed to be dorky-cable-free.

 

[caveman dave]

According to MINI Parts Guy, the MINI unit doesn't use the cable. That's what makes the MINI unit special. I asked because I was flabbergasted that I had to pay $500 plus for a fancy, "wire-free" mounting system, and then run a stupid fat 12V cable off the fancy Click & Drive, across the dashboard into the 12V outlet.

My MINI Guy insists that the spec for the MINI Nuvi states that no special cable will be required. That's why BMW and Garmin are arguing right now in Germany. It's like somebody forgot that the MINI unit was supposed to be dorky-cable-free.

What model is your Sat nav, I have now got traffic updates without any special cables.
Mine is a MINI branded Garmin Nuvi 2497LMT, Garmin have confirmed to me that it is the only one that will give traffic updates via the click and drive system.

 

[uke]

What model is your Sat nav, I have now got traffic updates without any special cables.
Mine is a MINI branded Garmin Nuvi 2497LMT, Garmin have confirmed to me that it is the only one that will give traffic updates via the click and drive system.

2497 LMT. My unit did not receive traffic, nor did any of the units my MINI dealer had in stock.

When did you get yours?

 

[caveman dave]

2497 LMT. My unit did not receive traffic, nor did any of the units my MINI dealer had in stock.

When did you get yours?

I got a new one today. All the other ones I tried did not detect traffic antenna fitted.

 

[isleofbones]

Have not downloaded the click and drive app, but the literature that came with my mini portable nav (model 2497) says that it does provide real time traffic. I will update on my results. BTW, I do love the way the navigation works and the voice recognition, etc. Much better than the $1200 factory unit in my 2013 Jeep Wrangler. Also like that no wires show. Sure hope the info on the mini usa site and in the literature contained in the product box are accurate.

 

[uke]

Have not downloaded the click and drive app, but the literature that came with my mini portable nav (model 2497) says that it does provide real time traffic. I will update on my results. BTW, I do love the way the navigation works and the voice recognition, etc. Much better than the $1200 factory unit in my 2013 Jeep Wrangler. Also like that no wires show. Sure hope the info on the mini usa site and in the literature contained in the product box are accurate.

It's a great little nav unit. The routing and maps are great.

I don't even mind that much that mine fails to receive traffic. The MINI Guy thinks I'll get a new one from MINI once BMW and Garmin finish fighting.

 

[uke]

I got a new one today. All the other ones I tried did not detect traffic antenna fitted.

So you had one before that was like mine, and did not receive traffic? How did you resolve it? Did MINI give you a new one?

 

[caveman dave]

So you had one before that was like mine, and did not receive traffic? How did you resolve it? Did MINI give you a new one?

My local MINI dealer changed it for a new one from a new batch, my previous one did not receive traffic. Unfortunately there are no dates or batch numbers that I can see that may help you.

 

[caveman dave]

Have not downloaded the click and drive app,

I did, and un-installed it 30mins later, a load of crap, all advertising and nothing useful.