MINI2

Perm · Jul 5th, 2007, 01:53 PM

Hi,

Has anyone moved from R53 Sat Nav to R56 Sat Nav system ?
{ my current R53 sat nav has the latest firmware and I am very happy with it }

How does the new car’s version compare ?

1) Can the R56 do everything the R53 version did ?
2) Is the R56 any quicker / better in the graphics display ?
3) Does the R56 sat nav have any new features ?
4) Is the R56 sat nav as good as the R53 version ?

Thanks

Perm

Perm · Jul 9th, 2007, 06:34 PM

bump....
has no one experienced both systems ?

Thanks

Perm

Sowellman · Jul 10th, 2007, 05:03 AM

I have the new system, but can't compare it with the old one for you. I think it works very well, other than coming with a generic voice. I was hoping for a British voice to guide me to the freeway, errr, sorry, motorway.

The instructions are good and if I choose to ignore a command and start down another path, the system quickly reconfigures the route to reflect your new course. I like that. I also like how it allows you to change the perspective from 400 feet up to several hundred miles.

ALD0 · Jul 10th, 2007, 08:09 AM

I too would be interested to know the differences, I know the R56 looks more modern as of course it should, I think the mapping will be the same though and similar features, would like to have a good play around with an R56 version to see if any differences there are?

I would of liked to see:

Different map colours
More road names on Perspective view
Alert for Speed camera database
Easier clarification of different route types, as in Fast route/Shortest route and that they show a Travel summary dialogue at beginning of journey.
Different voices

Si

DaFlake · Jul 10th, 2007, 09:03 AM

I don't think that they are the same system. it actually looks more like the one that is in the Idrive vehicles that uses the Professional Disk.

DaFlake · Jul 10th, 2007, 09:08 AM

Now I am curious. Are there any numbers on the new system that someone would be willing to post? I don't think that BMW came out with a new system (MK5?) but I would like to see what the differences are. On the old system, we have a setup menu and in the upper right side are a series of numbers. If you have something like this, could you post them?

Perm · Jul 10th, 2007, 03:27 PM

My understanding is that they are completely different systems.....
I think the one for the MINI was specifically developed for the MINI...... and not used in other vehicles.....(BMWs)

Hope someone can post the truth about this.

Thanks

Perm

DaFlake · Jul 10th, 2007, 03:54 PM

That is what I am trying to determine. To be honest the front end looked like the Magellan system.

Blusox · Jul 11th, 2007, 10:01 AM

when I took an R56 for a test drive the sat nav it had looked very much like the idrive sat nav in terms of what it did. Even the scroll dial worked in a similar way to the dial on the BMW models. Didn't get a real chance to play though.

Its a real shame the R56 is so hard/impossible to change the head unit because for the price of the integrated sat nav you can get a much better after market head and sat nav, just my opinion though

Perm · Jul 12th, 2007, 02:48 PM

Gents,

See reply from MINI Customer care...

Thank you for your email to MINI Customer Information.

In response to your questions:

1. The Satellite Navigation in the new MINI runs on the same software as BMW cars, but the hardware is different to accommodate the system in the MINI.

2. The system is DVD Based.

3. The system is different to the old R53 Model MINI Cooper S.

We hope this information is of use. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
Yours sincerely

MINI UK

Blusox · Jul 12th, 2007, 03:59 PM

Had a feeling that might be the case

DaFlake · Jul 12th, 2007, 04:12 PM

I figured all of this. What I want are specifics!

I'll have to find a guy locally.

gcp · Jul 15th, 2007, 08:51 PM

Is the R53 nav the same as "older" generation BMW's, E46 3 series etc. ?

We have an 04 E46 with NAV and an 07 R56 with it too.

Won't post any comments as not sure if they have the same system.

DaFlake · Jul 16th, 2007, 05:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gcp (original)

Is the R53 nav the same as "older" generation BMW's, E46 3 series etc. ?

We have an 04 E46 with NAV and an 07 R56 with it too.

Won't post any comments as not sure if they have the same system.

I believe that the R53 and the older 3 series were the same. However, that is changing...

The MK4 system is becoming outdated and they have really gotten all they can out of it. I played with the new NAV in a friends 7 series and it is fast and smooth compared to our older models. So, I suspect that the MK4 will be falling by the wayside very soon.

I'm curious to see if a R56 NAV could be fitted to the R53.

rkw · Jul 16th, 2007, 06:24 AM

Yes the R53 and previous generation BMW 3 and 5 series shared the same Nav (even the hardware units were interchangeable).

A lot was updated in the R56 and new generation BMW. The cars now use a fiber optic bus instead of the earlier iBus. Just about everything is incompatible between the old and new Nav units.

DaFlake · Jul 16th, 2007, 07:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original)

Yes the R53 and previous generation BMW 3 and 5 series shared the same Nav (even the hardware units were interchangeable).

A lot was updated in the R56 and new generation BMW. The cars now use a fiber optic bus instead of the earlier iBus. Just about everything is incompatible between the old and new Nav units.

I'm certain it would not be plug and play, but (I'm a computer guy) positive that we could make it work. The bus may be fiber, but I doubt that it is fiber straight into the unit. It is probably going into a converter of some sort.

More curiosity...

Does anyone want to take some photos of the NAV unit (place where you put the DVD)?

I would love to get a small peak.

Is it still under the seat?

118 · Jul 16th, 2007, 08:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

I'm certain it would not be plug and play, but (I'm a computer guy) positive that we could make it work. The bus may be fiber, but I doubt that it is fiber straight into the unit. It is probably going into a converter of some sort.

More curiosity...

Does anyone want to take some photos of the NAV unit (place where you put the DVD)?

I would love to get a small peak.

Is it still under the seat?

I don't have any photos, but the Nav unit is behind the audio controls (the unit with the controls on, pops out of the dash)

DaFlake · Jul 16th, 2007, 08:51 AM

Ah, so it is like the new BMWs... Interesting.

118 · Jul 16th, 2007, 08:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 118 (original)

I don't have any photos, but the Nav unit is behind the audio controls (the unit with the controls on, pops out of the dash)

you can see the controls here, just below the CD slot

DaFlake · Jul 16th, 2007, 08:58 AM

So the map DVD goes in a slot behind the controls? Also, is this the "High" version DVD or "Professional"?

Yep, I am compiling data...

Jul 5th, 2007, 01:53 PM	#1
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 477 Offline	R53 Sat Nav vs R56 Sat Nav Hi, Has anyone moved from R53 Sat Nav to R56 Sat Nav system ? { my current R53 sat nav has the latest firmware and I am very happy with it } How does the new car’s version compare ? 1) Can the R56 do everything the R53 version did ? 2) Is the R56 any quicker / better in the graphics display ? 3) Does the R56 sat nav have any new features ? 4) Is the R56 sat nav as good as the R53 version ? Thanks Perm

Jul 10th, 2007, 09:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	I don't think that they are the same system. it actually looks more like the one that is in the Idrive vehicles that uses the Professional Disk. Global Moderator

Jul 10th, 2007, 09:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	Now I am curious. Are there any numbers on the new system that someone would be willing to post? I don't think that BMW came out with a new system (MK5?) but I would like to see what the differences are. On the old system, we have a setup menu and in the upper right side are a series of numbers. If you have something like this, could you post them? Global Moderator

Jul 10th, 2007, 03:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	That is what I am trying to determine. To be honest the front end looked like the Magellan system. Global Moderator

Jul 12th, 2007, 04:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	I figured all of this. What I want are specifics! I'll have to find a guy locally. Global Moderator

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Jul 9th, 2007, 06:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 477 Offline	bump.... has no one experienced both systems ? Thanks Perm

Jul 10th, 2007, 05:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sowellman MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon Local Time: 03:02 AM Posts: 230 Offline	I have the new system, but can't compare it with the old one for you. I think it works very well, other than coming with a generic voice. I was hoping for a British voice to guide me to the freeway, errr, sorry, motorway. The instructions are good and if I choose to ignore a command and start down another path, the system quickly reconfigures the route to reflect your new course. I like that. I also like how it allows you to change the perspective from 400 feet up to several hundred miles.

Jul 10th, 2007, 08:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
ALD0 MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 9,432 Offline	I too would be interested to know the differences, I know the R56 looks more modern as of course it should, I think the mapping will be the same though and similar features, would like to have a good play around with an R56 version to see if any differences there are? I would of liked to see: Different map colours More road names on Perspective view Alert for Speed camera database Easier clarification of different route types, as in Fast route/Shortest route and that they show a Travel summary dialogue at beginning of journey. Different voices Si

Jul 10th, 2007, 03:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 477 Offline	My understanding is that they are completely different systems..... I think the one for the MINI was specifically developed for the MINI...... and not used in other vehicles.....(BMWs) Hope someone can post the truth about this. Thanks Perm

Jul 11th, 2007, 10:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Blusox MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: May 2002 Location: South East Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 279 Offline	when I took an R56 for a test drive the sat nav it had looked very much like the idrive sat nav in terms of what it did. Even the scroll dial worked in a similar way to the dial on the BMW models. Didn't get a real chance to play though. Its a real shame the R56 is so hard/impossible to change the head unit because for the price of the integrated sat nav you can get a much better after market head and sat nav, just my opinion though

Jul 12th, 2007, 02:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 477 Offline	Gents, See reply from MINI Customer care... Thank you for your email to MINI Customer Information. In response to your questions: 1. The Satellite Navigation in the new MINI runs on the same software as BMW cars, but the hardware is different to accommodate the system in the MINI. 2. The system is DVD Based. 3. The system is different to the old R53 Model MINI Cooper S. We hope this information is of use. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Yours sincerely MINI UK

Jul 12th, 2007, 03:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
Blusox MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: May 2002 Location: South East Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 279 Offline	Had a feeling that might be the case

Jul 15th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
gcp MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 56 Offline	Is the R53 nav the same as "older" generation BMW's, E46 3 series etc. ? We have an 04 E46 with NAV and an 07 R56 with it too. Won't post any comments as not sure if they have the same system.

Jul 16th, 2007, 05:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	Quote: Originally Posted by gcp (original) Is the R53 nav the same as "older" generation BMW's, E46 3 series etc. ? We have an 04 E46 with NAV and an 07 R56 with it too. Won't post any comments as not sure if they have the same system. I believe that the R53 and the older 3 series were the same. However, that is changing... The MK4 system is becoming outdated and they have really gotten all they can out of it. I played with the new NAV in a friends 7 series and it is fast and smooth compared to our older models. So, I suspect that the MK4 will be falling by the wayside very soon. I'm curious to see if a R56 NAV could be fitted to the R53. Global Moderator

Jul 16th, 2007, 06:24 AM	#15 (permalink)
rkw MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Local Time: 03:02 AM Posts: 587 Offline	Yes the R53 and previous generation BMW 3 and 5 series shared the same Nav (even the hardware units were interchangeable). A lot was updated in the R56 and new generation BMW. The cars now use a fiber optic bus instead of the earlier iBus. Just about everything is incompatible between the old and new Nav units.

Jul 16th, 2007, 07:14 AM	#16 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original) Yes the R53 and previous generation BMW 3 and 5 series shared the same Nav (even the hardware units were interchangeable). A lot was updated in the R56 and new generation BMW. The cars now use a fiber optic bus instead of the earlier iBus. Just about everything is incompatible between the old and new Nav units. I'm certain it would not be plug and play, but (I'm a computer guy) positive that we could make it work. The bus may be fiber, but I doubt that it is fiber straight into the unit. It is probably going into a converter of some sort. More curiosity... Does anyone want to take some photos of the NAV unit (place where you put the DVD)? I would love to get a small peak. Is it still under the seat? Global Moderator

Jul 16th, 2007, 08:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
118 KitKat Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Sussex Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 19,295 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original) I'm certain it would not be plug and play, but (I'm a computer guy) positive that we could make it work. The bus may be fiber, but I doubt that it is fiber straight into the unit. It is probably going into a converter of some sort. More curiosity... Does anyone want to take some photos of the NAV unit (place where you put the DVD)? I would love to get a small peak. Is it still under the seat? I don't have any photos, but the Nav unit is behind the audio controls (the unit with the controls on, pops out of the dash) * The Italian Job 2008...... Team 50 - please sponsor us by clicking on my sig! * clicky here to visit the UJ Owners Club thread

Jul 16th, 2007, 08:51 AM	#18 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	Ah, so it is like the new BMWs... Interesting. Global Moderator

Jul 16th, 2007, 08:53 AM	#19 (permalink)
118 KitKat Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Sussex Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 19,295 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by 118 (original) I don't have any photos, but the Nav unit is behind the audio controls (the unit with the controls on, pops out of the dash) you can see the controls here, just below the CD slot * The Italian Job 2008...... Team 50 - please sponsor us by clicking on my sig! * clicky here to visit the UJ Owners Club thread

Jul 16th, 2007, 08:58 AM	#20 (permalink)
DaFlake I miss my MINI Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 06:02 AM Posts: 10,416 Online	So the map DVD goes in a slot behind the controls? Also, is this the "High" version DVD or "Professional"? Yep, I am compiling data... Global Moderator

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