Is it just me. Or is the air conditioning unit in the 2012 Mini Cooper S extremely weak. My Toyota corolla has stronger air flow. My only complaint on this car is the A/C. Do you guys think the same?

 

Nope. Of course it is a bit cooler here in the SF bay area, but I find the AC is totally chillin.

 

Mine in the Clubman works fine.

 

Here in Sacramento, California. It takes forever for the car to cool down.
Especially in the mode with all 3 running (feet, face, defrost). It has to be on the face mode on the standard unit to get any real pressure.

 

AC is good. but I have tint so that helps alot in cooling too.

 

Mine is the same. I know there has been threads regarding this problem on other models. It takes a while on mine and it is not ice cold. We are moving to the South soon, so this will be interesting.

 

Bring it back to the dealer and let him check it out since it is under warranty.

 

I have a Feb 2012 build MCS and the AC works really well.

We just had that 10-day spell of 100+ here in STL; a couple of days at 106 - 108, with my car thermometer showing 112-113 stopped in commuter traffic on the slab.

I kept very comfortable with the temp set at 72 on the climate control. I do have tinted windows, which helps the overall comfort level, of course doesn't directly affect whether you have cold air flowing or not.

I'd agree with posters who suggesting having it checked out, something's amiss, sounds like.

 

Mine is the "Standard Unit" Also. Not sure if that makes a difference.
I dont have the automatic climate control.

 

I built the car loaded, but I did not buy the automatic climate control. I think that was the problem on the other models as well. One of the other threads the Mini owner took it to the dealer and they said that it was a cool as it would be. I was out today in 90+ temps. The AC was cool to cold, but not icy like my prior car. I don't ever remember having to turn the AC full blast to keep it cool unlike the Mini. Still love the car!

 

Johntotah94,

I have a 2011 MC with the manual A/C. Last week we had record breaking temperatures (over 100F with high humitity) in South Carolina. I drove my MC approximately 300 miles last week with lots of stops and parking outside. The car cooled down quickly with the temperature control set at the coldest position, the fan at its maximum, and the recirculation turned on. After the initial cool down, I turned down the fan, closed the recirculation, and left the temperature set at its lowest position. The car temperature was very comfortable no matter what the driving condition. This week the temperature dropped to around 79F. At 79F, I had to turn the temperature control up 1 step because the air was coming out so cold it was uncomfortable. I have not found a situation that I could not set the manual controls to a comfortable temperature.

 

Have you tried using the "Recirculated Air Mode"? On my 2010, it's the top button to the right of the temperature control ****. My AC seems to move a lot more air in this configuration.

 

I've tried that. Its very hot in Sacramento and I am starting to think I need window tinting. I'm surprised when I bought the car, Absolutely NO tint came with the car. Not even in the Rear. I would have to look into that.

 

Im in SOCAL with a black car... The AC is super weak....
I'm also in a roadster so its an even smaller cabin... The top doesnt help but man it takes a while to cool off!

 

Yea. Exactly. I thought the A/C would be a lot stronger. Its only decently strong in the "Face" Mode. But all other modes are extremely weak. The A/C is almost Useless in my car. Will probably take at least a 30 min car ride to even think about using the A/C unit.

 

I have to agree. The AC doesn't cool down the car very well. Hopefully the 100+ days won't last much longer.

 

Agree here... definately week.
4 of us piled into my car and the people in back were complaining for the first 10 minutes. It's routinely in +90-100F in So. Cal. and it takes a bit for it to be cool/ cold. I even drive with the windows open for a bit to clear the "hot" air and always use the recirculate feature.

I also noticed that it seems that the fan speed increases when you drive above 75mph.

 

+1, except for the So. Cal. part.

 

i would have to suggest going to the dealer to get the a/c checked

also make sure the temp control is full down, even 1 click up will add a lot of heat to the air coming out of the vents

on my 2012 cms all4, no window tint, 99F and 65% humidity (temp reported by car was 106), air coming out of the vents was 48F, car was 72F, recir off, fan 1 down from high speed, air control 2 clicks from full clockwise

my dad also has a 2012 cms all4, his has auto climate control, he has no complaints either

scott

 

Sounds good. I have an appointment at the dealer tomorrow.

 

I completely agree. it takes a while to get my car cold as well. Not to mention that the steering wheel blocks off direct contact to my face. i can always adjust it, but it would be uncomfortable. but yeah, my prius chills my car instantly.

 

Mine sucked too until i tinted the windows and the sunroof. If you have the sunroof its always going to struggle to keep up with the heat (it struggles in Houston). I also bought those zippy shades for the sunroof and those work the best.
Without tint and the perforated sunroof shade the car was an oven all the time. They must not have tested the car in hot summer climates.

 

i know this is an old thread, but no one really chimed in if it was fixed after seeing dealers.

mine was/is never cold as i wished it was but just learned to live with it. and i was thinking maybe some extra refrigerant/coolant/oil for the ac system would fix it? i dont want to waste the money or go to a dealership if i dont have to or know it wouldnt work.

 

I actually had a sensor go at about 4,000 miles. After it was fixed under warranty-mine is now cold. I don't know if that was the problem,or that they found it when it was repaired, but mine is corrected now. Considering we moved South-I am very happy it is. Good luck.

 

Get a thermometer and stick it in the vent in the middle. Check the temp. I was thinking the same thing until I overfilled it. Lesson learned. Lol. All is back to normal now but still not real cold.