Next week I'm going in to order a MCS, but i'm still debating on the color. I want to get all black but I've heard mixed comments on how well the AC in the Mini's work. Any feedback??? I want my MCS now!:smile:

 

I'll bet you do want your MCS now!!!

IMHO, the MINI AC unit isn't exactly the most robust I've ever seen but it's adequate. Probably and all black MINI would be at a theoretical disadvantage when it comes to heat, but if that's what you're dreamin' about, I'd say go for it. Lots of all-black MINI owners around here...let's see what they say. Our local owners don't seem to complain.

 

Our AC blows real cool but it draws some power from the engine.

 

I don't have any problems with the AC. It cools well, and only saps power at launch. As long as you get the revs up before you let out the clutch, you won't really notice it.

 

Thanks a bunch. Black it is then. :smile: All I know is it can't be built fast enough and will be counting the days till the next Mini weekend at the Dragon. (BF has a Miata and has gone down a few times but because the flooding Friday in NJ we had to hang around and we missed the Maita weekend this year so we are planning on going down for both the Maita and Mini weekend next time.

Liz

 

And if it gets too hot you can always tint your windows to minimize your AC usage. To be honest, I think the sunroof probably lets in more sun then the windows. I ordered a cooperflags decal to cover our sunroof. I read that works real well.

 

I would love to do that but NJ has very heavy tinting laws. But the sunroof idea is a good one.
Liz

 

Can you do three windows? I am not sure how effect that is though. www.cooperflags has a lot of designs. Check them out.

 

the AC sucks....park in the shade, once the kar gets hot from the sun it takes forever to kool off

 

A Flag my be the way to go, and I think NJ law does allow the back windows to be done but I'll have to look into that. Thanks again

 

look at it this way--the snow will melt faster this winter!!


seriously, the AC is OK. if you are a really warm blooded person, or carrying an extra hundred pounds it may not keep up all of the time. BUT should be sufficient for even those occasional 95 degree and 90% humidity days in NJ.

 

I can confirm this. I used to work in a place where I had to park my car in the hot AZ sun all day long. On the 25 mile trip home the AC couldn't cool the car and the air coming out of the AC wasn't that cool. Now that I work at a place with a parking garage, I turn on the AC whil still in the shade and it gets plenty cool right away. It made a huge difference between parking in the sun and parking in the shade.

 

My concern was getting black paint because it would act like a greenhouse effect. After reading all the posts. I'll still get the black just park in the shade, plus hopfeully it will be moving more then it is parked. :smile:

 

Ah, in AZ, parking your car outside would be like parking in an oven and coming back for the car after it's roasted! HOT!

 

Mine is black with S/R. A/C works well enough. You can minimize the greenhouse effect by cracking the sunroof vent open slightly when you park it, thus giving the heated air inside an exit path so the heat won't keep building up.

fwiw, I think the effect of a car's color on the inside temperature is over-rated. I'd be surprised if, after several hours of sitting in the sunshine, the inside temperatures of otherwise identical black and white cars differed by more than 5 degrees F, especially if both cars are vented.

 

I agree, we have a pearl white car and a yellow car and it's still hot after leaving them parked outside.

 

I have a Cooperflags perforated sunroof decal, and can attest that it does an excellent job of reducing the amount of heat let in through that large glass on the roof. Makes it seem like the A/C is from a different car. This is a must for the sunroof equipped MINI.

 

On a related side note, if anyone is interested in buying a solid white vinyl static cling sunroof graphic, send me a message. It's never been used, and is color-matched for a white roof MINI.

 

lol...I just had that idea a couple days ago. Well I'm planning on getting a custom roof decal anyway but solid white would be interesting to see.

 

Bummer..just ordered a checked flag last week. Maybe, a soild white would have worked.