Illogical stuff in the SE. It's the little things...

I've had a mix here in the US. My husband's 6spd is different than my 6spd Mini was. Always fun going the wrong way when switching cars.

I actually loathe Android Auto. My husband's car has it and it drives me nuts! I actually was quite happy today testing out the Mini GPS and searching for a name vs an address,

It has no issues finding my house which would be very annoying.

Only on the 2 drs... 4 doors I've been in are not frameless.

 

My wife's car has it and I use it all the time but specifically just for Google maps. I can see how the limited UI and functionality on other apps could be frustrating.

Using Google assistant to navigate to places works much better than Mini's voice commands (missing locations, showing options unreasonably far away) and google maps navigation is far better than anything else I've tried (no clue about Apple maps).

The couple of times I've use it, Mini's navigation has been clueless about current traffic and road closures, trying repeatedly to route me to a closed section of highway while Google knew exactly what was closed and the best way around.

All I really want is good navigation which as of now, Mini hasn't provided.

 

I tried using the Mini's navigation again this afternoon just to give it a chance but it failed again. It tried to send me down a road that it didn't know was closed because the main road was mysteriously missing from it's map (even though it does show up on the MINI app).

Red highlighted road does not show up on my car:


Google knows that the road exists and that the other road is closed:


I guess I'll have to look into somewhere to mount my phone...

 

We'll have to agree to disagree. I spent time comparing the Google maps locally vs Mini's GPS and I find them equally as good. We haven't compared Apple lately but last time it was a dismal failure compared to Google. To the point where we'd never use it even if only our one iPhone is working.

We have a lot of weird closures here and so far it hasn't messed up. Google has been great too, but has missed over the years. I just cannot compare as long of turn. Not sure why some areas are better than others with each.

I was pleasantly surprised with Mini voice commands. Got me where I needed easily. If Android auto does become better, I will hope BMW adds it like it did with their newer cars (retroactively IIRC too) but I just got too annoyed using it.

Proclip does make a great mount. I used it on my last Mini when I didn't have navigation.

 

I use both Apple Maps and MINI navigation, depending on the situation. I think Apple Maps is more accurate, but MINI navigation's GREEN routing is great. I use it to explore parts of my city I've never seen before. And it helps for maximizing range, and sometimes to dodge congestion on the "fastest" route. One of the coolest features of the MINI navigation is how it shows alternate routes:



I think MINI navigation is also better at rerouting than Apple Maps. If you don't like where you've been directed just drive the alternate path and MINI navigation will adjust accordingly. No need to alter your destination. Apple Maps sticks to main roadways too much, whereas MINI navigation will use any road it can.

 

On a related note, has anyone heard whether or not BMW plans on adding Apple Maps EV routing support to the MINI app? Personally, I think that would provide the best of both worlds.

 

I've been waiting for that, and hoped it was coming with the new app. Which it sadly didn't, even though Ford and BMW were launch partners for the feature. I found a comment on an i3 forum claiming BMW only plans to add support for newer EVs, but no idea how that affects MINI.

I'm submitted feedback through the app to ask for this.

 

Thank you for sharing this. I ordered this and installed it a couple of days ago. Works great for me too. Even charges my particular Android phone through the case!

 

Next, you'll be transplanting the dashboard-width multi-screen from the Honda e into your MINI.

 

Just discovered this thread and really enjoyed reading it. Some I had noticed also.
Following are my comments:

How true!!

Wondered why I was looking at that and first drop down did not look like 90%.

That would be nice.

Completely agree. Still getting used to pulling back to go forward and pushing forward to go back.

Yes, and Thanks to Insightman, I have an order into Amazon for those led lights to solve this.

Completely agree. Should be standardize so all cars are the same. We are back to two cars with ACC on opposite sides of the steering wheel. How many times has my wife said "What happen" when the the radio source changes because I'm attempting to change cruise control.

This reminded me of a vacation trip with our daughters in Australia. We had a rental car that had the steering wheel on the opposite side of what us Americans are used to, But the strange part was the lights and wiper controls were on opposite side. Daughters yelled "Oh Dad" many times until I stopped turning on the wipers when I really intended to signal our turn.

Yes, constantly having to decrease it.
As far as navigation, mostly enjoying it. One thing I have not figured out is how to avoid certain part of route. IE - driving to Mini of Loveland on I-25 can be a pain (lots of construction and traffic). On goggle maps, I could just select to avoid part of the route.

Anyhow, Thanks to F14Scott, Puppethead, Insightman, Lainey and GvilleGuy for all the interesting commentary. Glad I found this Mini Forum on Insideevs.

 

Mentioned in other threads: the rearview mirror blocks a lot of the view out the front. I find my self shifting often to look around it.

 

This is a time when I think being short is good. Those things never get in my way LOL

 

Have you not tried a blip down? That's how to activate a single swipe of the wipers.

 

Plus, at least on my 2021 SE model, the "1X" with a down arrow is actually printed on the front of the wiper control stalk. (To be honest, I have known about the blip down for quite a while, but just today (in the rain here) I actually discovered the writing on the stalk, which I had not noticed before.)

 

In that case, go up and then back down.