Trip planning in the Mini App

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Quiet Mini

Quiet Mini

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Has anyone tried creating a route in the Mini app lately? It now picks charging stations and estimates how long you have to charge at each one. It also shows photos and PlugShare ratings. This is the first time I’ve seen this. It seems really nice!

Don’t tell me it’s always done this and I’ve never noticed….
 
No it was more rudimentary as of the last point release (3.7.1) before minor update 3.9 a few weeks ago introduced this upgraded route planning.
 
It seems on par with some of the better planners I’ve seen.

Now, how do we update our in-car nav to have the same? Is it even possible? It still suggests a list of Tesla and level 2 chargers.
 
I haven't tried it yet, but wouldn't "send to car" (or whatever) export all the POIs (chargers) as well?
 
Right, that should work but wouldn’t it be great if you could just enter a destination from the car display and have it find the route and chargers? I’ve gotten OTA map updates before. I wonder if they could push this as an update.
 
The MINI app 3.9.0 update just went into effect for me, here are the notes on new features. The new version also moved the charge status to a line below the header image instead of right under the "Check Status" button.

miniapp390update.webp miniapp390status.webp
 
My MINI App says Version 3.9.1. Am I living in the future?

I like how the photo with your update shows the woman using the App can't possibly be driving at the same time.
 
insightman said:
My MINI App says Version 3.9.1. Am I living in the future?

I like how the photo with your update shows the woman using the App can't possibly be driving at the same time.
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Maybe the version difference is iPhone vs. Android (I believe you're using Android?). As for the woman in the photo, she must be relaxing while waiting for charging. :D

*update* I'm in the past, 3.9.1 came out yesterday but I haven't updated yet.
 
Puppethead said:
I believe you're using Android?
Click to expand...
Yep, Android. I didn't realize the versions wouldn't stay in step, and, with BMW's preference for iOS, that the iOS version wouldn't be the most recent version.

*update* Glad to hear you're about to join me in the future.
 
So far, this feature isn't great. It refuses to route the quickest way on my first test and a route I've taken before. But how often will I roadtrip this car?
 
JonR said:
So far, this feature isn't great. It refuses to route the quickest way on my first test and a route I've taken before.
Click to expand...

Any idea why?

ABRP either uses a crowd-sourced efficiency figure or lets you enter your own*. I wonder what the MINI app assumes, and whether an overly-conservative estimate is why it is routing you differently.

*My experience is that the crowd-sourced figure matches what I get at highway speeds under reasonable weather conditions...which makes sense, since that likely describes the majority of trips contributing to the ABRP database for the SE.
 
I don't know. It routes me off the interstate to a state highway that runs parallel to the interstate. The route that the app picks is actually longer too. This leg of the trip is 79 miles long using the interstate versus 83.5 on the Mini suggested route.
 
JonR said:
I don't know. It routes me off the interstate to a state highway that runs parallel to the interstate. The route that the app picks is actually longer too. This leg of the trip is 79 miles long using the interstate versus 83.5 on the Mini suggested route.
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Does the app have a "no highways" setting like the in-car map software does?
 
I plotted a long route out of curiosity and sent it to the car. Instead of the route going to the map screen, it sends 10 different messages showing each charge stop. Then you have to stitch them together manually. The problem is, they appear to be in no particular order so making a single route in the car’s nav system is cumbersome at best. Legacy car manufacturers have so far to go with software integration.

Luckily the furthest I ever drive the Mini would require 1-2 charges so it’s not too bad. It seems to find routes I thought would be impossible so that’s nice.
 
JonR said:
But how often will I roadtrip this car?
Click to expand...
Agree. It's unlikely I'll test this anytime soon. The multiple-charge drives I'm liable to do in the near future are trips and routes I already know; anything longer and I'm still going to plan with ABRP and verify with PlugShare.
 
Quiet Mini said:
I plotted a long route out of curiosity and sent it to the car. Instead of the route going to the map screen, it sends 10 different messages showing each charge stop. Then you have to stitch them together manually. The problem is, they appear to be in no particular order so making a single route in the car’s nav system is cumbersome at best. Legacy car manufacturers have so far to go with software integration.

Luckily the furthest I ever drive the Mini would require 1-2 charges so it’s not too bad. It seems to find routes I thought would be impossible so that’s nice.
Click to expand...
Another check in the plus column for Apple ecosystem inhabitants: Apple (and soon Google) Maps can show a device-planned route on CarPlay, including charging stops. Caveat: I haven't tested it, and as above, I likely won't.
 
To their credit, you do get a warning/informational message before sending to your SE.

I'm actually rather impressed by the new functionality. Sure, it has limitations, but the "one-stop-shop" aspect is appealing. It makes me want to go road-tripping and see where things lead.
 
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