[Benmk]

I am looking to buy the sat nav for my S and have managed to source all the parts with wiring looms and everything.

Mini will code it for me at around £100 provided nothing else is not working with it.

Has anyone done it or could anyone shed some light on the complexity of fitting it and having it wired in etc.

Many thanks

Ben

[CC07ERS]

loads of people have thaught about this havent heard any body to do it get it done by a pro if i was you would love see the complete job

[Rich_IX]

Iv seen loads of threads started on retrofitting nav and not one person that I have heard of on Mini2 has managed to do it.
Only one person on NAM has to my knowledge

[DaFlake]

Rich is correct. The one guy on NAM that did do it said it was a pain and cost way too much.

[JHorwitz]

ben save your money mate

[DaFlake]

NewMINIStuff.com

Better solution.

[Benmk]

i can get the full kit including everything for 700quid. (good or bad?

What would be the other costs apart from recoding from mini and what would be the difficulty apart from the big fitting job?

i know my way around a mini pretty well so im hoping that wouldnt be a probvlem???????

any advice please?

[DaFlake]

Does that include the new speedo? 700 sounds about standard for the parts; it is the install that is the killer.

It sounds like you are really wanting the OEM version. (I have it in my car as well)

If you do get one, make sure that it is a MK4 (DVD) model. Coding for europe is really easy as it is the default and the unit can be rolled back by you rather than the dealer.

If you do decide to go this route, I would really appreciate if you outlined it for others. I would make it a sticky here in the forum.

[PAUL M M]

Hi take a look on ebay a member called navtvman sells and fits oem bmw satnav systems he seems to specialise around bmw rover group cars,on the bmw forums he is considered a whizard and has sold /fitted loads of nav kits just take a look.

[Benmk]

i decided i really didnt want to rip the mini apart just yet, especially as at the moment it seems to back and forward to mini for warranty stuff!

I let the deal go for the parts and yes it did include the new speedo etc.

After my tom tom mobile 5 corrupted the other week again i am now strongly considering going for the almighty install.

Has anyone ever priced up the parts new from BMW as opposed to finding someone with second hand bits?

Ben

[finchy]

I'm thinking of taking the retro fit install on myself done a bit of research and it seem's the going rate for the parts from a breakers is about 500-600. I have personally retro-fitted nav to my 3 series touring and in the bmw fraternity it's quite a common install and from personal experience i would say that although time consuming i wouldn't say that it way a major "nuts ache"
What seems to amaze me is that every search i have done on this subject seems to be of the opinion that the install shouldn't be tackled ,requires major surgery and that your only option is to buy a tom tom.
Please tell me what's so hard about the install and how its so different from the reletively simple 3 series retrofit.

Liam

[CC07ERS]

i think only one person has done it go on then if youve done it before then go for it pics as you do it as well as instructions would be a sticky on all mini web sites

[finchy]

Any advise from anybody who has completed the install would be greatly recieved before i start trawling breakers and fleabay for the parts. I gather that the mk 4 nav unit is the one to have also does anybody know where to tap into the speed pulse ?

[James]

i think I saw a satnav unit on ebay earlier

[CoolCarStuff]

Finchy - what do you want to know!!!???

[finchy]

1 Wiring harness part number would be handy

2 the location of the nav unit think i remember reading somewhere that it's under the seat and that the carpet has to be cut back.

3 On the 3 series i had to take a feed for the speed pulse off the back of the speedo clocks so the system can have an idea where it is when it cannot lock onto GPS sats ( eg when going through tunnels etc) does this have to be done with the mini install ?

3 location of the gps antenna

4 Telephone numbers of any friendly dealers that are willing to "code" the unit once install is complete. Although i am told this may not have to be done if i use a mk 4 nav unit


Thanks Liam

[CoolCarStuff]

Liam, Answers inline...

Quote: Originally Posted by finchy (original)

1 Wiring harness part number would be handy

2 looms, which replace existing looms not suppliment - time consuming to swap out.... check realoem for numbers. Main loom runs behind hash and connects all major devices, inc airbag, second part of loom takes it under front seats.

2 the location of the nav unit think i remember reading somewhere that it's under the seat and that the carpet has to be cut back.

NAV unit mounted on metal tray under front seat. Yes, usually a smal cut to carpet required - no deal really with stanley knife.

3 On the 3 series i had to take a feed for the speed pulse off the back of the speedo clocks so the system can have an idea where it is when it cannot lock onto GPS sats ( eg when going through tunnels etc) does this have to be done with the mini install ?

All connections managed by loom, but if you want to do a DIY "supplimental loom" (sensible option!) then yes, behind cluster, which is integral to satnav screen. Screen has one connector for RGB etc(connected to satnav computer under seat), other two are the cluster connections with are the same as your current centrally mounted speedo... All wiring/pinouts for modules are available on web....

3 location of the gps antenna

GPS antenna is mounted where your radio aerial is - its a sharkfin. Radio aerial relocated in rear glass. When doing a retrofit, just buy an aftermarket GPS aerial from ebay for a tenner....

4 Telephone numbers of any friendly dealers that are willing to "code" the unit once install is complete. Although i am told this may not have to be done if i use a mk 4 nav unit

You can get any dealer to code if they are friendly... or, get yoruself EDIABAS/INPA or similar stuff.. GT4 etc will obviously work if you have the money and ability! I would not assume you will not need coding as you have not yet got your speedo/rev cluster working correctly on the steering column... inc the warning lights which WILL need coded in my experience....

If you are savvy with wiring etc, aquire a copy of the WDS - all wiring is explained.

Lastly.. the Mk3 works fine without the bells and whistles, but can be had for £100. Mk4 DVD units are usually circa £250 upwards... if you want a working one. DVD obviously better and faster, but Mk3 does work - they are interchangeable so you can upgrade later.. save the initial cost being so high!

AND - you need to watch the versions and coding of the donor cluster/screen - get one of the same age as your car as there are changes that your dealer may back off from... Dont have references to hand, so just make sure you dont try to fit a 06 into an 03! The wrong choice here may mean a new BCM...whcih is hassle as you do want to preserve your car mileage etc! (VIn and mileage stored in BCM and cluster)


I am working on a quick and easy way to do the cluster swap, which will involve a quick swap of a surface mount chip. This way, coding is only needed for coding of the speedo/rev cluster lights... Just need to find the time to complete....

DJ


Thanks Liam

[finchy]

Cheers DJ been great help.

The wiring to the Sat Nav Module screen etc is not a suplimentary harness like X5 3 series Etc it's an intergral part of the main body harness on the mini and the 2 options available are to

1 Replace main body harness requiring dash removel etc and much nuts ache

2 Make up my own suplimentary harness

Is this correct ?

[CC07ERS]

try RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog you will get the part nums there

[CoolCarStuff]

Quote: Originally Posted by finchy (original)

Cheers DJ been great help.

The wiring to the Sat Nav Module screen etc is not a suplimentary harness like X5 3 series Etc it's an intergral part of the main body harness on the mini and the 2 options available are to

1 Replace main body harness requiring dash removel etc and much nuts ache

2 Make up my own suplimentary harness

Is this correct ?

Hi Liam

Yes, you are correct, the wiring is not supplimentary - MINI decided to make it a completely new loom.

Changing the loom is no fun...but has been done. You need to get behind all the dash to do it, as its clipped in place at various points. It basically runs from one end of the dash to the other footwell.... a crappy job which is a hassle, but not technically difficult. It connects basically everything, including your indicator stalks, rev/speedo etc etc....

You are right to take the *easy* option to make up your own loom, in the same fashion as you would for an E39/E46 etc etc. As you obviously know, that stuff is *all* documented, down to the pinouts of all modules. The satnav screen itself is just that, a monitor, with the controls on a bus.... again, nothing you have not seen in other BMW's.

The connectors for the ends of your loom are all available from your Stealer - check ETK. The plastic plugs are each one part number and the pins are another number, so remember to get enough pins!

If you forget about the speedo/cluster function for a minute, the MINI setup is really the same approach as other BMW's that have been documented for years and years...all info freely available on the net and no smoke and mirrors. The coding of the cluster is your main challenge, that can be done yourself with EDIABAS/INPA ... do a search and you will find. Carsoft (etc) will not code this for you. GT1 does everything you need... as its what the dealer has! You will find GT1 on ebay, or in the more "select" forums on the web.. the problem is usually finding a "head" for it, as they are expensive and/or rare! Failing all that...get a friendly dealer... probably best unless you will a) do this again, b) like playing with your cars coding and electronics or c) sad, and like gadgets.,... (hmmmm.. that will be a C then for me.....) INPA is certainly the cheapest way into it and gain BIG functionality...

I meant to add in the previous post that the GPS aerial plugs into the rear of the Mk3 or Mk4 computer (just a thin coax supplied with the aerial), unlike the earlier (non MINI fitted - just other BMW's) Mk1 &2 units. You can just locate the aerial up under the dashboard near the screen.. or on the screen if you dont mind seeing it.

Anyway - hope all this helps and gets you on your way... there is a lot MORE info around on this subject that you think - you already know a fair bit from your other BMW exploits.... like anything... its just finding where to look.... (hint, try some sites from the east....)

DJ