navigation for 2012

[xxgraceyxx]

Hi All,

I'm currently in the market to purchase a 2012 Countryman. While deciding on getting the navi, the salesman told me that the current navigation system upgrades via GPS for free. There are no DVDs to purchase every year. He also told me about the real time traffic feature that also can be used with no additional charge. Is this true? My current navigation system (Acura RDX) updates via DVD for additional charges every year and I have to pay extra on top of that for my real time traffic info through Sirius. Free upgrades with free real time traffic just seem too good to be true. Any thoughts from MINI 2012 owners who have navi??

[Tigercub]

My 2011 Jcw has navi and it updates the system over GPS this also updates live traffic info. I was surprised as I had to pay per year for this with my tomtom but it is true.

[Tabintab]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigercub (original)

My 2011 Jcw has navi and it updates the system over GPS this also updates live traffic info. I was surprised as I had to pay per year for this with my tomtom but it is true.

Guys, there is no way your maps/traffic get updated over GPS. The GPS satellite are owned by the US military, I so doubt very much that NAVI are able to do this.

Tab

[mike]

I believe your salesman was incorrect, check with the service adviser for the correct answer. I had checked on updating our maps this past summer as there are some errors in the system, it is done with cd's loaded in via cables, service dept only. The version in my 2010 build All4 is the same as current 2012 so I would not expect a yearly upgrade is needed.
Mike

[X6Sport]

GPS only provides positional data via a complex time based algorithm. The map database is spread over three DVDs (which means multi-GB of data being needed) which can be bought separately from your local Dealer and uploaded into your car using the (expensive) single use licence key. UK cost can be as much as £400 including labour. DIY takes several days to upload and integrate the data. The Dealer system does it in one go via the cable.

There is as said, no way the underlying map data is updated via GPS, only your position. In the UK at least RTTI traffic data updates via the in-built telematics cellular telephone and like TMC is wholly dependant upon correct data being collected from other mobile phones and traffic sensors. I would assume that after three years your BMW/Mini Connected Drive/Assist contract expires so you pay for it after that. BMW offer something for free......hmmmmm!

[Blackhawks]

Gracey - Let your salesperson he/she might want to brush up on their technical knowledge. As soon as a salesperson tells me something I believe is wrong I will challenge them. If they try and BS their way out of it then its the game over with that person. If I learn something new, they get my trust and business.

Good luck on the purchase!

[Theo]

Gracey --

Sorry about your salesperson's lack of factual information. I'd seriously look for another salesperson or MINI dealer. Get some recommendations from folks in your area using a North American forum.

MINI have a new update available for $225 US. Yes, I said $225 US! Putting that in perspective, $225 will by you a pretty good basic Garmin or TomTom unit with map updates in the ~$50 US range!

If you MUST get Connected w/Navi, the update can be found HERE.

I purchased Connected w/Navi and, given a "re-do", I'd have just ordered Connected.