USA Customers: Beware SatNav/iPod Combo

[jmelrose]

Consider this fair warning for US customers looking to get an accessory or something that upgrades the R56's CCC. That would be bluetooth, satellite radio, ipod interface,etc.

I purchased my R56 on 4/27. Lots of pictures are in the R56 MCS Roll Call thread. Great car. Loved it on sight, and loved it more once I got to drive it from the lot. Had a great weekend, and week, driving a LOT more than I ever needed to. But I wanted to. However, the iPod interface needed a software update, and so they attempted to do it at the sale. No luck. A disc was sent up from another Mini dealer with what should be newer software, and so I went in on 5/2/07, but that also didn't work. It wasn't actually newer. I was told the investigation would contine.

I brought the car in Friday (5/4) to have a downloadable update applied to the car so the SatNav would see the iPod, but I guess along with the iPod software there is another 5+ hours of updates that are needed. Half were applied before the download conked out, and now the SatNav and display system doesn't function, so I had to leave my car throughout the weekend. They have tried multiple times to re-download, but to no avail.

Tuesday (5/8) I was told that the CCC unit was apparently completely trashed by this process. Despite trying every possible software-based solution, all that is left is to have another CCC until sent from Germany, apparently pre-configured to work specifically with my car's specifications. The car is driveable, but all the functions that run through the SatNav display: radio/CD, bluetooth, Navigation, setup... none function, and I'm not comfortable driving a car run by a computer so glitchy it has to have the iron itself replaced.

Anyway, the best minds at MiniUSA apparently worked on this issue and this is the solution they came up with. Clearly there are some problems with the software deployment process on the R56s, at least in the US, and so I am doing my best to make people aware that there are some issues out there, and be aware of that before getting accessories added that will require the upgrading of the CCC, especially with the SatNav.

My last comment is I want to say that my dealership, both the sales and service folks that worked with me and my car on this, have been great and are giving me a 07 MC loaner. Every time I get in it reminds me that it's not my car, but I appreciate the gesture. I've also been contacted by someone "higher up" in MiniUSA and they have been helpful and said they are monitoring how this progresses. MiniUSA customer service is, thankfully (from my perspective), staying out of it.

This problem may have cropped up in the UK or other markets as well, but I hadn't heard of it. To be honest, I'm a little surprised BMW would launch a car and not have the infrastructure in place in dealerships to take care of such issues.

JMelrose

[DyeLooper]

You are in trouble again with MINI! I feel for you again. Hopefully you will get your wheels back shortly.

DyeLooper

[jmelrose]

It's gotten quite old, I can tell you that...

Thanks for the sentiment!

The funny thing is, in a way I feel guilty for adding this accessory, and I think it's because when I call to check I feel like the service tech is unhappy with the situation, and it's as if I caused it with my pesky iPod adapter.

I have to keep reminding myself that this problem isn't my fault, and I shouldn't feel back for calling daily to see where things are at. But I get the impression the service manager doesn't agree. Oh well. I'm likely just being paranoid.

[CooperS4us]

I have also read that the voice recognition function in the SAT/NAV isn't working either, here or abroad.

I would be pretty dissapointed having all these issues after spending quite a bit of money to get such fancy accessory.

Are you considering rejecting the car if MINIUSA can't come up with a satisfactory solution?

[jmelrose]

I am considering it, which is a shame as I really love the car. I have to believe this hardware fix should take car of it. However, I'm very leery of very letting them touch the software again until some sort of less cobbled-together way of doing the upgrade is found.

According to the FL Lemon Law, it needs to be with the dealership for 15 consecutive days, or I think at least 4 attempts to fix the situation. We are on Day 6 now, and I have emails documenting the 4 attempts thus far. I think the hardware actually will be the 4th.

Time will tell , but I'm hoping fo the best obviously. I'd much rather drive off in what I recieved a few weeks ago. Waiting again will kill me. Plus I'm supposed to be driving it to northern Wisconsin from central Florida 2 weeks from tomorrow! Eek!

[mikeythemini]

Had a new 5 series in today with similar ipod issues

[mmalc]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us (original)

I have also read that the voice recognition function in the SAT/NAV isn't working either, here or abroad.

This turns out not to be the case.
Mine is working fine.

mmalc

[mmalc]

Quote: Originally Posted by jmelrose (original)

Consider this fair warning for US customers looking to get an accessory or something that upgrades the R56's CCC. That would be bluetooth, satellite radio, ipod interface,etc.

I have the navigation system, Bluetooth, and iPod interface, and they all work correctly(*).

Installing the software took a little longer than expected. The car went to the dealers to have other work done at the same time (windshield treatment and LoJack installation). I expected to get it back the next morning, but after "waiting"(**) in the customer lounge for a couple of hours I had to leave to attend a meeting. The dealership immediately furnished me with another loan car (BMW 328i in this case) and said they'd call when the installation was done. They did so shortly after midday.

Coincidentally, a few days ago I received a customer satisfaction call from MINI. When they asked me if I had any additional feedback I did mention that I'd heard that some people had reported having problems with the iPod installation, and in particular that at least one person had reported that the dealer had charged labour for the failed installation as well. I suggested that the installation be made a fixed price to shield the consumer from this sort of thing -- it doesn't seem fair that someone might be charged a thousand dollars (I exaggerate, but...) because of a failure on the part of the supplier. The MINI representative sounded sympathetic.

mmalc


(*) There have been a couple of occasions when the connection with the iPod was lost, and I've had to switch off the entertainment system to allow it to reset -- although this has been the case with my 05 Cooper S as well. Apparently there is a software update due in a month or two that may remedy this.

(**) Productively getting on with work, actually.

[jmelrose]

Quote: Originally Posted by mmalc (original)

This turns out not to be the case.
Mine is working fine.

mmalc

Mine also used to work fine.