[Arnbut]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

personally, and this is an unbiased opinion, i think that the Kuda mount looks kinda stupid :/

Function is beauty; beauty is function.
The mount from Mini would've put the unit in a spot where I couldn't see it without significant body contortion. I'm 6'5" and 270 pounds; I can't scrunch down any further...
The Kuda mount locates the gps just below line-of-site, an ideal & completely functional place.
Well-conceived, functional, beautiful.

Rec is spending too much time at work and is in need of a road trip, I think.

[TFA]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

personally, and this is an unbiased opinion, i think that the Kuda mount looks kinda stupid :/

they ain't forcing you to buy it...

So sorry - couldn't resist...

[ontheroadagain]

Good point Arnbut - the old "form follows function" comes to mind. As a non nav person, I'm finding this thread rather helpful in that everyone's points of view are helping me to see that if and when I do purchase one, I'll have to give its placement a great deal of thought - and one's line of sight is paramount.

Next MINI gathering, I'm going to use this as an excuse to sit in everyone's MINI.

[rec]

Quote: Originally Posted by Arnbut (original)

Rec is spending too much time at work and is in need of a road trip, I think.

would you stop taking everything i say so literally ? stop being insulting - you dont know me, i'm doing this site a favour... dont you want the information i am providing ?

[ontheroadagain]

I really don't think Arnbut was trying to be insulting. Unfortunately the downside to any kind of Internet board is that one has to rely on the typed wording - and the social cues are left up to the reader. I appreciate everyone's input about the topic at hand - the MINI navigation system and its perceived positives and negatives.

[Arnbut]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

would you stop taking everything i say so literally ? stop being insulting - you dont know me, i'm doing this site a favour... dont you want the information i am providing ?

Dude, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings; sorry.

I'm known as cruel but fair...

You gotta understand my background though. I'm an Iron Butt Association member and ride motorcycles 1500 miles a day for fun. Function is paramount to me ---- I'm a farkle man, not fru-fru.
Sometimes I come off as abrupt...

Yes. Your input is very appreciated.
But I'm still going to be honest... ...even when painful....

[Overboost-Rich]

Has anyone had their Garmin Nuvi sat nav unit fitted by a MINI dealer yet? I have spoken to a couple of dealer parts departments in Yorkshire to see if they can supply and fit the bracket and both haven't heard of the kit yet!

I was wondering if anyone has had a good experience having the kit fitted from a MINI dealer since it was released, as I would prefer to take my car to a dealer who has fitted a few already. It's just that I am a bit reluctant to have my two week old car treated as a guinea pig by a technician who hasn't yet wired up one of these brackets only for them to make a mistake because they are not sure what to do. I'm probably being a bit paranoid I guess but if installation involves removing parts of the dash I don't want a rattle to suddenly appear as upto now my R56 is thankfully rattle free!

[rec]

you only need to remove the steering wheel cowel. i did mine myself using documentation from BMW - piece of **** really.

if you're dealer's not heard of it, tell them the part number and show then the item in their Accessories catalogue (page 33).

installation is a breeze, if the technician cant install it, he's stoopid ;]

[Overboost-Rich]

Cheers for the reply rec! I might have a go at fitting it myself too if its possible just to have the bracket and instructions supplied.

[madadd]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

you only need to remove the steering wheel cowel. i did mine myself using documentation from BMW - piece of **** really.

if you're dealer's not heard of it, tell them the part number and show then the item in their Accessories catalogue (page 33).

installation is a breeze, if the technician cant install it, he's stoopid ;]

Rec,

Do all Garmin units have the same basic mounting layout on them?

Or to re-phrase which Garmin units would attach to that official mini bracket?

...Mad

[rec]

no, only the Nuvi 300 range will fit this bracket as per posts above.

[jords]

Has anyone, apart from rec, had any luck in obtaining the bracket for the Garmin 300 series? I am extremley interested in trying to get hold of one, as I have a Garmin Nuvi 310, and I really like the look of fitting in that spot just next to the rev counter.

I have spoken to my local dealer here, and they say the part number is not available in Australia.

I was going to ring the Mini dealer near to where my family live in the UK and if they stock them, get my brother to pick one up and post it out here to me, but before I go to the trouble I thought I would just ask here first if anyone has actually got one from BMW.

[rec]

At the moment I believe we're only shipping it to the EU from our offices here in the UK. I have no idea if our Taiwan offices have struck a deal with BMW in Australia yet.

[jords]

For anyone that's interested, I have just phoned the Mini dealer in the UK and the bracket is available. It's 60 quid + VAT. I've had to order one, as the dealer didn't stock it. Takes a couple of days to get them in.

Just need to get it shipped over now.

[jords]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

you only need to remove the steering wheel cowel. i did mine myself using documentation from BMW - piece of **** really. ;]

hey rec, any chance of sharing the documentation on how to dismantle steering cowling and where to plug the unit into to?

[rec]

it's on my work email account - i'll try and remember to get it when i return from my week off.

[jrammon]

I had a Garmin Nuvi 350 prior to the Mini. I ordered the Mini/Garmin bracket/wiring from Morristown Mini. It was about $150US shipped. It is pretty easy to install with the expection of the wiring. The instructions posted on other sites and that shipped with the bracket are for the R53 and completely wrong for the R56. I am hoping for the correct instructions from rec soon. I am too far from any Mini dealer to bother with them to install if for me.

[jords]

Can anyone who has had this option fitted by Mini, tell me if a white mini is included in the vehicle options? I have managed to find a zip file on the web with the various mini vehicles and Mini splash screen, but there is no white mini. I would like one that matches my car. The closest I can get is the silver with black roof. Does anyone have the .srf fle for a white mini with black roof, (and black bonnet stripes would be perfect match) on their Nuvi?

Rec, just a friendly reminder about those instructions for wiring up the Nuvi bracket. Thanks.

[rec]

Quote: Originally Posted by jrammon (original)

I had a Garmin Nuvi 350 prior to the Mini. I ordered the Mini/Garmin bracket/wiring from Morristown Mini. It was about $150US shipped. It is pretty easy to install with the expection of the wiring. The instructions posted on other sites and that shipped with the bracket are for the R53 and completely wrong for the R56. I am hoping for the correct instructions from rec soon. I am too far from any Mini dealer to bother with them to install if for me.

the instructions you get are not wrong it seems, they just show a different kind of steering column cowel.

the connector is clipped up above the steering column once you've removed all the plastic.

not been able to find the documentation yet.

[jrammon]

Thanks rec.

I did find the wiring plug on the back of the steering wheel. It has 18 pins just like the instructions say. I plugged two of the wires (1 red and 1 black) into the 17 and 18 pin positions. I plugged the other two wires (again 1 red and 1 black) into the wire clip (supplied with the bracket & harness. Still I am not getting power to the unit. So something is not quite right. I may take it to a local shop (non-Mini) to see if they can help figure it out.

If you find any better wiring documentation for that 18 pin connector on the back of the steering wheel that would help greatly. I have searched many parts websites trying to find that without any luck.