If someone can develop a auto up window circuit maybe the eletronics guy's could develop a circuit to control the AC. What we need is something to disengage the AC at certain times,IE when first taking off in first and at higher RPM's/WOT. The clutch switch and other trips could be used. Is it possible?

 

Or you could buy an MCSc and not have to worry about A/C, even when its 100 out! I haven't used my A/C once since I've had the car.

 

That's remind me of a week a go, driving my MCS in a hot day with A/C on at full blast, taking 3 adult passsengers with me to downtown during rush hour with stop and go traffic.

 

Well im glad im not the only one with this problem. However i just recently test drove a few of the newer sub compact cars (Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit) and they dont seem to have this problem...you can still take off from a stop smoothly, although it does cut on the power...but there is no stumble.

Im wondering if the compressor for the mini is a tad bit big? compared to other small engine AC compressors? perhaps ours is a 6 piston compressor and the others are a 10? I dont know im just guessing.

But i really have to get into the throttle to get the car to move with my A/C on. I think the lag in the Drive by Wire system, combined with the sluggish A/C starts really kills the take off. 1st to 2nd shifts are tough to make smooth unless i am really generous with the clutch.

I also dont have a pulley on my car...i am probably the only one left without an aftermarket pulley.

I think i read somewhere a while back that there was some kind of tuner file that helped with the lag in the DBW system...does anyone have this? does it help? even with A/C on?

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head, there. Sure, you can overcome the a/c power drain in most cars by giving it a little more gas when letting the clutch out, but with the MINI's dbw system, you really have to bury the pedal to make that happen.

 

EXACTLY! and times its pretty frustrating...i do almost all city driving and here in Las Vegas A/C is a MUST when the temp is creeping up to 115-120 degrees outside. Not to mention how hot it is when you first get in the car. So A/C almost has to be on in the afternoon. and when its rush hour traffic light after light with the A/C on. Driving can get a little annoying.

Ive just given up on the whole smooth thing, and just rev the hell out of it.

 

I hear ya. We've had a fairly mild summer (here) this year, so far, but I'm WELL familiar with the 100-110+ degree days.

Unfortunately for me, my afternoon commute runs me through three intersections where it's common to get stopped at the light on steep uphill slopes. It's REALLY fun getting the car to move on those when the a/c is on.

 

I got freaked out when I turned the A/C on a few weeks ago- I thought "there can't be earthquakes in PA, can there?"

 

Not here.... 115F+ I'm looking at the 15% pulley.

 

Not really sure what we are debating? I feel that a pulley upgrade helped at the low-end and you don't feel that way? Sure the increased HP from a pulley might not equal or exceed the power lost to run an A/C compressor, but it DOES help... At least on my '05 MCS, that geared lower than your '02...

'05 MCS -- with only 16% pulley / CAI / one-ball exhaust

 

My bog is still there regardless of the upgrades, maybe conditions, the driver and or the individual car makes the difference. I installed a engine damper and that helps the clutch action.Funny how seemingly unrelated components are actually related.

 

Yeah, I know what you're talking about. We've been to AZ a few times in the past year on vacation, business, etc. We were there in July and it was 116F in Phoenix . I don't know if I can help you there. But I am jealous that you guys don't have the humidity (adds 10 degrees!)

 

I'm just pointing out that the "Bog" is pretty much there no matter what you do in 02-06 MCSs.... Pulleys may make it better, but the design of the powerplant means that you're stuck with it to some degree....

Matt

 

Is it normal for sound coming out of that engine bay to double with the AC on? Freaks me out sometimes how loud and straining the engine sound gets.

 

Yeah, its normal for an engine thats small.

 

I was wondering if the bog on the '05, '06 and '07 Carbrios with the shorter gearing is not has bad as the earlier models.

 

Not really. Even my JCW (~15% pulley) bogs a little from dead start with A/C unless I slip the clutch a little. Why didn't BMW iprogram an auto A/C off under WOT?

 

there's rumor that the alt drops at WOT for more power. Problem is, this isn't a WOT behaviour. Can't drop the A/C at idle, all that stop and start traffic would be a bear. Have to drop it at slow speed, at initial throttle tip in, to about 5 MPH. Now that would be a nice feature!

Matt

 

Good point!! I've had a couple of cars that would shut off the A/C at WOT. They were fat V8s, so there was no need to worry about off the line bogging.

 

[quote=Mini Mizer;1641518]Well im glad im not the only one with this problem. However i just recently test drove a few of the newer sub compact cars (Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit) and they dont seem to have this problem...you can still take off from a stop smoothly, although it does cut on the power...but there is no stumble.

Im wondering if the compressor for the mini is a tad bit big? compared to other small engine AC compressors? perhaps ours is a 6 piston compressor and the others are a 10? I dont know im just guessing. quote]



I assure you that the AC compressor is not to big. May in fact be on the small side next to real cars!

I thought it was me and my driving, common problem I see. Got to keep your R's up!!

 

If they could somehow rig it so that a sensor would read a rapid vacuum drop (say 5lbs) and then shut off or otherwise deactivate the compressor....