I have placed an order for an 08 mini cooper. (Not an S) I am really looking into just a daily commuter car so MPG is very important to me. I am very tempted to go with the S but every mile counts when you have a 100 miles daily commute. So I have not even test driven the S just so I wouldnt fall in love with it. This is my first MINI so if you have any suggustions please feel free to chime in.

My 08 mini is has the following specs...

-Cooper
-Chili Red/Black Top
-Black Bonnet Stripes
-Gray/Carbon Black Leatherette
-Convenience Package
-DSC
-15" Rotator Spoke
-Anti Theft Alarm System
-Sport Seats
-Foglights
-Xenon Headlamps
-HD Radio
-MINI HiFi Sound System
-White Turn Signals

 

Here's a thread about auto A/C vs manual. I got the manual and love it. My wife's Saturn has auto and I loath it (I can never get it to the right temp for me) so I didn't take a chance with my car.

Nice spec otherwise. I think the cloth seats may breath a little better than the leatherette. Do a search a see what others have to say. There are lots of posts on this subject. Where you live (weather conditions) will probably help you decide.

The non S is still a lot of fun and very peppy. Good luck.

 

Get the S. Skip the auto A/C.

 

You have a long commute. If it were me, I would be outfitting the car with as many features that allow you to focus on driving and not fiddling with stuff inside.

Auto A/C works great. You just ignore the temperature it claims and set it to where you are comfortable. One less thing to fiddle with.

I did not buy any packages for Romi as I saved some money going ala carte and not getting options I did not want/need. The only thing I got which I consider pure creature comfort is the comfort access system. I got spoiled to not having to ever deal with a key in our Lexus.

My goal in all the options I chose was to be able to focus on driving.

 

I'm not enamored with auto ac. The ac is not so strong that the settings will matter. With the manual ac I just set it to the coldest setting and adjust the fan.

 

Hansachtmann,

Big mistake, you really need to test drive the S, if you are spending that much time in a car commuting, then you should really be enjoying what you drive. I'm not saying that the regular cooper isn't fun to drive, but you should make that decision for yourself, the only way to do it is to drive both cars. If you don't feel you need the extra ooomph of the S then so be it, but do yourself a favor and test drive both first. I have the auto A/C and I love it, set it and forget it. For the record, I just made 2 trips back and forth to Palm Springs from L.A. on Xmas and I averaged 31mpg on the first trip and 30.4 on the 2nd. This is with the JCW kit installed and some spirited driving. Stock Cooper S drivers have reported better. To me that is awesome mileage, plus the less you put your foot into it, the better mileage you are going to get. Your really only sucking gas when you get on the Turbo. I've had my S for 2 months now, I couldn't imagine going to a regular cooper at this point, but then again, you need to make the decision for yourself.

 

The auto a/c came along with the Premium Package, and if I'd had a choice I probably would have dropped it. I'd never had a car with it before, but I have to say I love it. My heat has been at 70 since I drove the car home just over 2 weeks ago. I haven't had to touch it once, and that's just one less thing to distract me from the pure joy of driving!

I ended up with the S because of my test drive, and have no regrets - in fact I'm very jealous of your 100 mile commute.

Good Luck...

 

Having had Auto A/C on my Audi I have learned to hate it! I consistently have to override it in order to gain heat a little earlier than the computer says I want it and to shutoff the A/C when the drag isn't necessary. I would also rather adjust a dial than the +/- temp and +/- fan toggles on the Audi.

I'm not sure exactly how it cross compares to Mini as I have the manual, but I would avoid it.

 

The auto A/C has a button to turn off the compressor when it is not needed. Most of the winter time I turn off the compressor.

Quite frankly, most people who have had bad experiences with auto A/C systems have been with cars from Europe. Not sure why that is.

I know the Japanese really seem to get it right. Even the American manufacturers do a good job with auto A/C.

The Mini system works better than I expected. I really love the auto carbon filter mode. It switches to pull the air through the filter when the outside air is considered too nasty to breathe. I have never had to deal with sulfer or exhaust smells in the Mini. That is pretty darn cool. Better than our Lexus.

I think if I had a manual A/C I would just set it to pull through the filter all the time so I would not have to mess with it. Cuts the filter life down more than the auto A/C in auto mode though. Does the manual A/C get the carbon/charcoal filter? Not sure.

 

I have the auto A/C and absolutely love it. Have been through 17-85+ degree weather in my MINI, yet haven't had to change it from 70F once, nor override it. Also, call me shallow, but IMO it gives the center console a much better look.

I agree with the others who say it'd definitely be worth your while to test drive the S. Gas savings between the two models are not very significant while the performance certainly is.

I'd check out the anthracite headliner as well. Many who don't spec it end up regretting it in the end. Although since your interior sounds like it's gonna have grey in it regardless, you may not mind. Finally, if your on a budget, you may reconsider the alarm. The MINI comes with a passive alarm standard (engine immobilizer) and many will argue the benefits of a simple 'noise maker'. That said, if it'll give you peace of mind and/or your MINI is often parked in a bad area, go for it.

Best of luck in making your decision!!!

 

Good point. Definitely try out the auto A/C in the MINI for yourself. Especially if the only experience you've had with it are on other cars. MINI may not have it perfect (my one complaint with auto A/C's in general is when it's off and everything closed, no air is circulated through the cabin at all) but they've certainly done a great job.

The manual A/C does not have the active carbon filter. It only has a pollen filter which deals solely with particles in the air, not smells. Also it must be manually engaged/disengaged.

 

Having had auto AC once, I would never get it again, the AC compressor runs all the time. Think about it, you have fan speed and temperature, wow it's so complicated, I might get in an accident adjusting it. Not worth the extra money to me. The manual heat works great. I don't know where you live but instead of auto AC I would spring for heated seats, expecially with the leatherette.

 

Skip the Auto A/C
its one more thing to break in the future, and I've never had an issue (except w/ the auto temp units) of being warm or cool...

 

The Mini has a manual override for the compressor when in auto mode. You can turn off the compressor when you do not need it. As I said before, I turn off the compressor during the winter or when the ambient is low enough that ambient air keeps it comfortable.

Nothing complex about adjusting the A/C manually, it is just one more distraction I would rather not have to deal with and the active carbon filter works really well. I hate exhaust fumes in the car. Just to get that filter was worth it to me. The side effect of never having to mess with the climate controls, while I am driving, is just gravy.

 

One other thing I really like about the auto A/C is that it will never blast you with hot air on a summer day or cold on a winter one. It waits until it can provide you with the optimal air temperature before cranking up the fan speed. Yes this can be done manually, albeit with less precision, but it's something I appreciate the system being smart enough to do in its own.

Can't tell you how many times I've gotten in a friends car when the fan speed was left on high from a previous drive and been scorched or frozen almost to death... Okay, yes I'm exaggerating but on some days it truly is that annoying. Seems to be an easy thing to forget. Turn the fan speed down upon entering (or better yet, exiting) the car.

 

Don't be seduced by an activated carbon filter. Activated charcoal loses it's ability to adsorb substances/smells after just a few weeks of use. The pollen filter is another story and is probably effective for an extended period of time. I like my auto A/C, BTW.

 

I have 6,000 miles on Romi. 7 months old and the filter is still working great. The active carbon filter still filters pollen too. That part will not quit.

I agree the active carbon will die sooner, but so far, so good.

 

I think I paid extra ordering the premium package a la carte, just to get the manual A/C. I've had many German auto A/C systems and they've all work the same - you must to have the system on and fan spinning to get any outside air flow. Car seals up like tupperware if the system is off.

With manual, you can leave the system completely off and outside vents stay open allowing free air flow through the car that increases with vehicle speed (heated, if you want). I rarely ever need turn my system on (but I live in the Northeast, if you live in a hot climate perhaps auto is better).

Just one more mechanical item that avoids a noisy/squeaky fan, or electrical problem/failure, many of which I've experienced with past German Auto A/Cs.

 

hans, I like the way your approaching this. Very similar to how I did though your criteria is different. I ended up with an 08 S Cabrio w/ sport, cold & chrono packages plus LSD, dash color, cruise control, chrome, & arm rest. The only option I regret (a little) is the arm rest because you can by better aftermarket. The H/K upgrade (08 Cab is still 1st generation) was not worth it to me, so the premium package was out and therefore, I did not find the auto a/c worth it at all. I do like the look of auto a/c over the standard controls, but I find the function of the standard controls works better. Incidentally, my mom's Lexus has auto a/c and it works great, but my wifes Subaru isn't worth it at all. Not sure about Mini's, but since I'm in a cabrio it's less of an issue. Below I made specific comments about your choices in blue. Good luck.

 

my 2 cents is that it robs hp and therefore robs milage, because it's always on!

 

Ok, so I got carried away. My apologies.

The compressor for the Mini A/C system, with or without auto, can be turned off via the third button above the toggles and below the A/C controls. The compressor does not alwways run when you have the auto A/C system unless you want it to.

 

No it isn't. You can shut it off. And I often shut off the snowflake in the winter so the compressor doesn't run. I got my auto A/C in a package but after using it for 8 months I wouldn't buy it ala carte. I rate it a 5/10.

 

I like the way the auto A/C looks. and the compressor can be shut off, I have mine off, Don't need it for the heater.

 

Add LSD

Rear fog lights

Auto wipers

S

I don't know where you are, but it's HOT here much/most of the year. I wouldn't get the auto-air again, I think. Works lousy for a/c unless you have it set to 60--I can do a better job myself. For one thing, the fan changes speed all the time, even though it shouldn't. Works okay for fall and winter heat, as far as I can tell. I have it in the BMW and it works well there--don't know why it's a loser in the MINI.

 

Oh, and welcome to NAM, where the opinions are always forthcoming!