[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

HI all,
Well a 1st gen S has come up for sale and I'm extremely temped as it's the same age and less miles (12k) that my current Cooper.
Owned by a distinguished gent who obviously thought it was rude not to tick every option box - seriously the spec is insane....
Very nice colour combo of British Racing Green with Black roof and mirrors.

The one thing I'm not sure about though is the factory sat nav as I really like the big centrally mounted Speedo.
I've owned a TomTom for the last 2 years and it's been amazing, road trips through Europe without ever taking the maps out of the boot etc.
How does the factory sat nav compare, I'm assuming that BMW use the same actual unit, maps etc across all their models.
Can you download map updates, speed camera locations etc - what geographical area does it cover?

Any advice or a point in the direction to info where I can answer all my questions would be great.

Thanks, Geoff.

[ALD0]

Well your not buying from new, so being that it has Nav on a second hand vehicle is a bonus imo, I have a Tom Tom 910, the Tom Tom is more advanced than the factory Nav, i.e full postcode searches (UK) change map colours, easier to update, portable etc etc, but if you like the MINI you have seen for the other options i'd say go for it.
Factory nav looks in the dark, also no horrible cables about the place, and reduces risk of it being stolen out ya glove box!
Ref your map query it will be the same, European etc, it can be updated easily with a disk available from downloading off web if you know where to look, or kind people on here
Ebay also have people willing to sell you a disk for 99p which will update your firmware on your sat nav.
Maps are costly though being £150 from dealerships , again there is Ebay where people sell their old copies, for e.g 2006 year.

I prefer having the Rev counter and speedo together in front of me by the steering wheel

[nephilin]

I have the factory Sat Nav and all I can say is that it's absolutely brilliant. Sure, it's a pretty huge premium over a Tom Tom but it definitely spices up the interior of the car and (hopefully) reduces the likelihood of someone smashing your windscreen to get at the third party device.

If it's within your budget, I'll say go for it!

[S33BBY]

I absolutely love the factory sat nav. It's extremely over-priced as an option, but that's the price you pay for having something there all the time, and the convenience that comes with it. Many people are quick to say it's featureless, but I think it's fantastic. I much prefer to follow my factory nav than a TomTom, for example. The factory nav is so smooth and very easy to follow. Plus, you can put ths speed cameras on it.

I think if you've found a MINI that's perfect and you're getting the nav with that, it's a bonus, because, like I say, it's an expensive option from new. The central speedo is nice, but I actually prefer the two smaller dials you get when you have nav.

Have a look in my gallery; I think I've got a few pictures of it in there.

[DaFlake]

I don't think that the Tom Tom are more "advanced" then the OEM option, but they have more options for sure. The OEM NAV uses a series of servos and wheel sensors to keep track of the cars position and direction where the Tom Toms require triangulation to do this.

If you are looking for a NAV that will get you where you need to go, OEM will do this.

If you are looking for a NAV that you can tweak and do lots of other things with, it is not the way to go.....

[boxednfresh]

the factory sat nav looks soooo cool. i have it, bout a second hand mini cooper with nearly every option and i am glad. Its very relaible too, no wrong directions. Furthermore the 2007-1 dvd has part postcode search facilty which always narrows down the search.

go 4 it i say.

or find a new mini with the incorperated sat nav and speedo around it,

[3rdpillar]

Quote: Originally Posted by S33BBY (original)

I absolutely love the factory sat nav. It's extremely over-priced as an option, but that's the price you pay for having something there all the time, and the convenience that comes with it. Many people are quick to say it's featureless, but I think it's fantastic. I much prefer to follow my factory nav than a TomTom, for example. The factory nav is so smooth and very easy to follow. Plus, you can put ths speed cameras on it.

I think if you've found a MINI that's perfect and you're getting the nav with that, it's a bonus, because, like I say, it's an expensive option from new. The central speedo is nice, but I actually prefer the two smaller dials you get when you have nav.

Have a look in my gallery; I think I've got a few pictures of it in there.

S33BBY

How did you initialise the Traffic info? I have postcode and perspective view already

[DaFlake]

I'm not S33bby, but I'll answer that.

The factory NAV has the capability of doing TMC but you have to have a radio that can process it. The factory radio in the picture below is the Boost made by Siemans VDO for MINI. This is radio has the capability as long as you are tuned into a station that provides it. For folks in the UK I believe that is Classic FM. When you are using the CD or Ipod, it should automatically find the TMC channel...

[3rdpillar]

I have the cassette boost head. so looks like a no -no.

Well still have so many feature of my mini to enjoy and help keep me safe. Isnt owning this car just the best deep down feeling....

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by 3rdpillar (original)

I have the cassette boost head. so looks like a no -no.

Well still have so many feature of my mini to enjoy and help keep me safe. Isnt owning this car just the best deep down feeling....

Yep! I love my little baby.

When I got my MINI, I had the standard American Boost (made by Alpine). I scoured Ebay for this one and then sold my other. Overall I was out about 50 dollars to get the TMC. Here in Germany it has paid off well.