Iconic trim best feature

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lainey
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Lainey

Lainey

Well-Known Member
My car is scheduled for production in the next few weeks. So I have a little time to make any changes. I currently am on my Signature Plus trim level with black leather. I want to hear if you really love something in the Iconic level that would be worth a $3k jump. I would likely move to the black leather as I am not a fan of the satellite gray interior (both color and stitching). Will not get power spoke wheels either. So give me the good or not so good with the trim level.
 
The leather is top-notch, and the Iconic level steering wheel feels great.

Bigger screen gives you split-screen, so you can see two things at once. The secondary options are a bit limited, but you can see what you're listening to (including album art), or driving performance. The split screen is about 66/33.

Apple CarPlay is not full screen, so it's always in split screen mode. The way I currently use it is to stay in CarPlay mode and have my split screen showing what's playing on satellite radio. Sometimes I use the MINI navigation instead, but once MINI updates the Connected app to offer EV routing in Apple Maps I now I'll be sitting in CarPlay 100% of the time, so the split screen will be even more appreciated.

The front distance control sensor may be the other big benefit, I find it helpful when parking front-first (I know that's not how MINI owners should park) or pulling into garages. It makes the car seem even more like the future with proximity sensors all around.
 
Thank you @Puppethead ! I forgot Iconic comes with satellite radio. I do not have an iPhone (my biggest gripe about BMW assuming we all do, though admittedly Android Auto sucks) which means that part isn't important. The charger would have to be altered to fit my phone as it's not a smaller model.

I do pull into my garage and some parking spots and being short I never see over the hood lol
 
Puppethead said:
Check out this post from Oct 21, 2020 in the Android Auto thread, sounds like there's a reasonable solution for the SE and Android phones.
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I saw that. I just am not a huge fan of AA. Caused phones to run rather hot and more glitchy lately. We have it on the Civic and haven't used it in a year or longer. I haven't tried in a while though or on my newer phone. I might have to try just for giggles. For a techy person I have avoided some things... including bimmercode :o
 
It hasn't been mentioned yet but during my test drive I found the HUD to be surprisingly useful despite thinking initially it would be more of a gimmick. It shows a large range of information (current speed, speed limit in that area, satnav directions, collision warnings, etc.) and I preferred looking at that rather than the regular digital display.
 
Tommy Electric said:
It hasn't been mentioned yet but during my test drive I found the HUD to be surprisingly useful despite thinking initially it would be more of a gimmick. It shows a large range of information (current speed, speed limit in that area, satnav directions, collision warnings, etc.) and I preferred looking at that rather than the regular digital display.
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Aren’t most of these things already displayed on the digital gauge cluster?
 
Lainey said:
Thank you @Puppethead ! I forgot Iconic comes with satellite radio. I do not have an iPhone (my biggest gripe about BMW assuming we all do, though admittedly Android Auto sucks) which means that part isn't important. The charger would have to be altered to fit my phone as it's not a smaller model.

I do pull into my garage and some parking spots and being short I never see over the hood lol
Click to expand...
So I tried it today and it worked. It didn't do much more than what bluetooth connection with amazon music (what I use most) does so I uninstalled for now. No map at this time so no need to keep. But it was fun to play with. Considering testing out bimmercode in the next few weeks too.
 
ScottIJ said:
Aren’t most of these things already displayed on the digital gauge cluster?
Click to expand...

Some of them are, such as speed, for example. Other things, such as satnav directions, are not. At any rate, my point was that I found this information easier to access via the HUD while driving rather than by glancing down at the digital cluster which is positioned between the steering wheel gap.
 
I appreciated all the thoughts. My car got its VIN today and hit the production line. So no changes for me. I had been looking at videos again to see if anything in the Iconic package was a need for me. But this chose for me. I'm happy honestly. I think this was the best choice as it was my gut instinct choice after seeing options in person. I just was second guessing myself
 
Puppethead said:
The leather is top-notch, and the Iconic level steering wheel feels great.

Bigger screen gives you split-screen, so you can see two things at once. The secondary options are a bit limited, but you can see what you're listening to (including album art), or driving performance. The split screen is about 66/33.

Apple CarPlay is not full screen, so it's always in split screen mode. The way I currently use it is to stay in CarPlay mode and have my split screen showing what's playing on satellite radio. Sometimes I use the MINI navigation instead, but once MINI updates the Connected app to offer EV routing in Apple Maps I now I'll be sitting in CarPlay 100% of the time, so the split screen will be even more appreciated.

The front distance control sensor may be the other big benefit, I find it helpful when parking front-first (I know that's not how MINI owners should park) or pulling into garages. It makes the car seem even more like the future with proximity sensors all around.
Click to expand...

That's exactly how I want to use my iconic display - to split screen carplay waze navigation and sirius xm. However, I haven't figured out how to have sirius xm play while waze is also going.

Work has been taking up all my time lately and WFH means no commute. I'm ashamed to admit I've driven less than 200 miles since picking it up about a month ago (hangs head in shame). Still need to discover so many features. Still unable to get my garage door opener to connect to this vehicle (connects to two others just fine). Will hopefully try out the auto parallel parking today when I go to a hair appt in SE Portland where I almost always have to parallel park. Love the car, just need more time in it!
 
Not a fan of animal skin seats (the MINI tweed is fantastic), or more/bigger displays. Quite happy with the mid-tier trim.
 
I actually would have done all leatherette if I could've had that option in the mid level. I have it on my current Mini. I know I'm in the minority, but the cloth was way too itchy for me on bare skin.
 
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