Mini Cooper S MKIII vs. MKIV
 

Hyas all,

Took me literally months to to find out which nav system I had... Am I glad I found you guys.

Anyways, I asked my dealer to upgrade my system in order for it to have actual traffic information and congestion avoidance etc (TMC?). They said it wasn't possible. Reading here I read that upgrading your MKIII to a MKIV is really easy, it does raise a couple of questions though which I hope you guys will be able to answer (I did read http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/all-...ystem-faq.html).

What benefits will I gain from upgrading my MKIII to a MKIV?

Things I know:
1. Able to load all of Europe from one dvd instead of all the cds.
2. Faster.

Things I'd like to know:
1. Will it be TMC enabled or does the MKIV need an additional upgrade for that?
2. Is the screen I have 4:3 or 16:9, is there a way to tell?
3. Will I be able to retrofit bluetooth and an ipod connector once I upgrade to a MKIV (currently not possible due to having a CD changer; it's either an ipod, bluetooth or CD changer with my Mini).
4. Does the Mini support the rearview camera as well (assume I have 4:3 screen).
5. Does anyone have a link to the official part/pricing?
6. Can I get any MKIV to replace my current MKIII or are there differences I should be on the lookout for if I get a second hand?
7. What are the differences between High and Professional?
8. Anything else I should know?

Appreciatte your input!

Cheers,
DA

Hi DA
I am not an expert on all your questions, and definitely not on Mini's. However, here goes.
1. I believe TMC is included in the MK4, but requires a radio signal and as I don't know what system you have in a Mini I cannot tell for sure.
2. The screen format as indicated 4:3 or 16:9 is the relationship between height and width ie. 4:3 would make the screen 1,33 times wider than it is high and 16:9 would make it 1,77 (does that make sense?).
3. Sorry, I dont think you can have both. I believe the Ipod retrofit is easy (though would set you back GBP 200) and would mean the CD changer would have to go.
4. I dont know if you have an external video connector on your system. It has nothing to do with the Nav.
5. Not I.
6. I would go for a more current version as I believe there are better reception in the newer ones. But you can update all to the latest firmware as per this Forum (e.g. V32) and do personalization.
7. High is using I-Bus interface, whereas Professional is using a different system (cant recal which). If you currently have the Mk3, you should be using High!
8. There are plenty of threads to help you out if you decide to go for the upgrade. But it is a straight forward job. Unplug/replace/plug in. Load new firmware - and you're in business.

Plus:
3D perspective view
Better graphics
Heaps faster
Did I say heaps? Lightening fast!
Can read dual-layer DVDs
Easy to customise
Less bugs, more reliable

Q: 1. Will it be TMC enabled or does the MKIV need an additional upgrade for that?

A: Mk4 is always TMC enabled. No changes needed.
but you will need map disc that supports TMC, and radio that has the TMC receiver built in.

Q: 2. Is the screen I have 4:3 or 16:9, is there a way to tell?

A: To tell - look at it! But all Minis have widescreen.

Q: 3. Will I be able to retrofit bluetooth and an ipod connector once I upgrade to a MKIV (currently not possible due to having a CD changer; it's either an ipod, bluetooth or CD changer with my Mini).

A: Cd changer does not exclude bluetooth. Bluetooth is an easy add-on.
To have iPod + CD changer is not impossible, just requires some trickery...

Q: 4. Does the Mini support the rearview camera as well (assume I have 4:3 screen).

A: If you have TV fitted, adding reverse cam is dead easy. Plug in to the TV's reverse cam input. Without TV you need extra modules. Both are available from BMW as factory kits. Or DIY it.

Q: 5. Does anyone have a link to the official part/pricing?

A: www.realoem.com

Q: 6. Can I get any MKIV to replace my current MKIII or are there differences I should be on the lookout for if I get a second hand?

A: Any Mk4 will work. If the Mk4 came from an E46 with RadioNav, then it will need recoding to Colour mode. Use my NavCoder (www.siegenthaler.co.nz/NavCoder/)

Q: 7. What are the differences between High and Professional?

A: High = nav map for use in Mk4, Mk3 etc. Professional is next generation nav system, different maps.

Q: 8. Anything else I should know?

A: Don't hesitate upgrading to Mk4, it's easy and quick.

Awesome, ty very much.

1. Harman Kardon set but I don't think that's what you meant is it?
2. I just went to have a look at my screen and I'm inclined to believe it's a 16:9.
3. Ok, so normal mini rules apply; I was affraid of that but one could always hope heh... :)
4. Ah, ok, I thought it was controlled with the sat nav system as well. Thx for clearing that up.
5. Found this http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...03&hg=65&fg=50 no pricing info though but at least the official part numbers.
6. Cheers, newer = better.
7. Rgr, i-bus it is.

1. Sweet, TMC on itself is enough reason to go for it from my perspective (not to mention the ability to mod in speedcams hehehe).
2. Ty for confirming, I allready thought so having looked at it.
3. Ty.
4. No TV fitted (unless you mean my nav display).
5. Thx, just found it prior to your post... :)
6. Cheers.
7. Cheers.
8. Cheers.

Ps. you guys rock! GREAT answers!

By "TV" I mean Television

Add it to you "wanted" list if you don't have it...

Standard fitment in Japan, but I don't think any other market had it as standard...??
Maybe I'm wrong.
But possible to retrofit :-)

How would you add the Traffic capability to an E38? You've peaked my interest...

I had MKIV in MCS and highly recommend it.

Unfortunately TMC (traffic notifications) does not work in the US, only in Europe.

Cheers guys, I went ahead and bought a MKIV unit (of a forum member no less). Anyways I was wondering how I can see if TMC is working, i.e. test it. I'm suspecting that my radio (mini harmon kardon) is missing the it's TMC unit but how would I know for sure?

Edit: co-worker of mine suggested I should check if I had my rnd inf enabled, I did not. Let's see if this does the trick, the traffic information option is still greyed out but I'm assuming it needs to actually get a traffic update first. I'll update the post to see if this fixed it.

Edit2: nope didn't do the trick... any ideas/suggestions are more then welcome.

tmc needs 4 things to work:

1. TMC capable nav computer. you have now mk4, so yu have a TMC capable nav

2. A map disc with TMC database on it. Varies from country to country, if you are not sure if your map is tmc enabled check with a friend eg Edwin (also in NL)
Tip: a tmc enabled map disc will allow you to turn tmc on. TMC lights red when turned on and map disc supports tmc. Then it lights green when tmc data is being received.

3. A tmc capable radio.

4. The radio tuned to a tmc-capable radio station. not all stations transmit tmc. Try the public radio station run by the government in your area, these stations often carry the data.

Thx Jochen!

1. check
2. check
3. still unsure, mini harman kardon set, cant seem to find confirmation if it has tmc or needs a module or entire new radio.
4. Aaaah, I made a mistake thinking RDS=TMC apparently it is not. Dutch radio stations broadcasting TMC are Radio 3FM, Skyradio, Classic FM and Radio Rijnmond. I'll tune into one of these and see if i'll be able to enable it then.

No dice... I'm suspecting my radio is lacking it's tmc module, internet is not being very helpfull (you guys are!) with regards to my h/k system and tmc capabilities/options so i'll go bother my dealer about it.

aan de radiozenders zou het niet moeten liggen, ik heb in mijn E46 vrijwel altijd TMC 'groen' ontvangst zeg maar....

Dus ben idd bang dat het aan je radio zelf ligt, weet ook niet of dit te vervangen is oid.... Je hebt namelijk een losse radio/cd toch? Niet zoals een 'echte BMW' :nanana: een casette/cd achter het scherm en een losse radiomodule achterin.

-----

I have all the time green TMC in the Netherlands, so the radiostations shouldn't be a problem.

I'm affraid your radio doesn't support TMC, I'm not sure you can change it, because you have a standalone radio/cd player right??
Not like a 'proper BMW' :nanana: a casette or cd player behind the navi screen and a radiomodul in the back.

remember- you haveto switch tmc on manually! Go into the nav menu to switch it on. your nav must also be coded for european region. if coded to usa, then the tmc menu is hidden and tmc is always off.

if you see tmc in grey, it is switched of.
red = on but no data being received.
green = all ok

replacement radion with tmc support is easy to find 2nd hand. bm54 is the model number. what radio do you have now? go into service mode and tell us the part number. do you have business (FM1, FM2, FMA) or professional (FM, FMA). Look at the fm bands by pressing the fm button to see what you have.

His MK4 is coded at Europe, and I tested it in my E46 and works proper with TMC, so thats not the problem.

Mini hasn't got a BM54, he has a standalone radio/cd player, right?

good to hear the nav and map are all ok. i am less familiar with minis than bmws, and i am currently in hospital with my sick daughter, so don't have access to my normal resources until the weekend or later.

if you can wait a few days i'll dig up some info on sunday i hope

jochen

It's 100% confirmed that my radio is the issue; it lacks a tmc module. http://www.mini2.com/forum/interior-...ml#post3275301 (I have the Alpine and need to have a Siemens VDO).

Also I found out that the mkIII unit supports TMC natively with the Siemens VDO and latest map (better not tell my girlfriend that hehehe), not sure which radio you'd need for one of those ugly BMW's :nanana: .

So the hunt is on again lol.

Slowly but surely I'm getting there, upgraded the radio as well (Siemens VDO - mini facelift boost radio) and TMC works!!! However my navsystem lost it's voice now lol. I'll go and see if anyone on the mini2 forums has an idea; if you guys have any ideas then holler!

Cheers,
DA

I were able to use TMCon My MK I Mini after replacing the Radio called Boost to an newer Version with MP3 Support. After That TMC works with MK IV.

It doesnt work if you have the CD player in the back of your trunk. You'll loose the NAV voice. Solution is to rewire from your CD player...

For those stumbling on this thread a little additional info.

The rewiring solution is found here btw: ***RESOLVED*** 03' UK MCS with HK and Sat Nav, want to get TMC to work? - Page 2 - MINI2 - MINI Forum

Visual comparasion between Alpine and Siemens is found here: Factory MP3 Headunit part numbers - MINI2 - MINI Forum

On a side note I think it may be related to the joining of A5+A6 and pin 9 and pin 15 in this instruction manual http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/CD%20Changer.PDF (page 9 and 10) but havent tried it.

Currently I'm running my Alpine with the MKIV, as a result I have no audio on my cd changer on my right front speaker so basicly not using that. Need to put the MKIII back in to see if I didnt damage anything with trying different wire combos and then work forward from there again

This issue seems to be related to older R53 models with navigation, CD changer and H/K for newer R53's its drop in and play.