I'm in Texas so no matter what you do, sun screens, etc... when it's 103 outside, the inside of your car is 125! I learned years ago to just roll down all the windows for a couple minutes when you first get started. Then hit the AC and blow the 125 degree air out of it too, then after the air in the AC cools, I roll up the windows!

 

I can't say exactly as I just got my MINI and it's friggin' cold. I got the ACC and so far I like it. I throw the heated seats on which warm up quick and then eventually the rest of the car warms up. I think the sunroof actually helps keep it a little warmer in the winter as the sun comes through. (I have the shade retracted)

I don't know if it will help or not but cooperflags.com has the perferated sunroof flags, etc... and I think that combined with the shade would help block out a lot of sun.

With the sunroof, the MINI is essentially a big window so controlling the temp is going to be hard. Sounds like the folks in AZ are having a lot of trouble. Of course I've driven out there in other cars and they have all had trouble with the AC when it's really hot. Anyone have any comments on how the AC is with the Sunroof in 80-100deg F weather? (with or without the ACC)

Just remember, when it's really hot drink lots of water... especially if you have those loose clothes on and you are using the wind to cool you off. Don't want to dehydrate.
-Chris

 

Oh yeah, if you have the sunroof, make sure you get the auto-opening feature programmed in. By holding down the unlock button, it opens the windows and sunroof before you even get in the car.

 

Daytona955i
It was the auto open function that finally sold me on a sunroof - that I didn't want. Now my wife thinks its the best option we have on our 03 MCS. We live in the West Palm Beach area and pray that the ACC will keep us real cool this summer. We certainly are enjoying the Spring like weather the last couple of weeks here.
Thank you for all of the AC info everyone! :smile:
Kind Regards,
Ron

 

AC problems?....yes! My '03 MINI (here for two weeks) is going in the shop Monday to have this checked out. I live in north Texas...we had a 70s, sunny day the other day and the car was warming up slightly with the windows up. (we were on the highway.) The AC wasn't cooling at all!...which maybe is good because I knew something was wrong (after double and triple checking the settings). Now, I know from experience, if the AC is wimpy in mild temps, it will never stand up to the summer heat. I want it fixed now and I won't be satisfied til its right. I'm encouraged by those of you who are having no problems...maybe a component is out or something...its not that the system is just poorly designed. If its not fixed by June, this car's going back, which saddens me deeply to say, but in this part of the world a well-functioning AC unit is an absolute necessity!!! I'll keep you posted on the mechanic's findings.

 

Another Floridian. Got mine in August 98Degrees. AC works fine. Of course I have no sunroof and got a white roof to reflect heat. AC cools the car down in seconds.

I have auto AC and I'm glad I was always fiddling about wit the ac in my old car...

Too cold.... too hot..... to cold... to hot etc.

Now I just set it to 70Degrees and i'm happy!

 

>> AC cools the car down in seconds.
>>
Thanks, Pebble...this what I need to hear! I have a white top/no sunroof, too. I'm not too worried about the AC fix...surprisingly, most of my anxiety is about having to part with my car for a day or two to leave it at the dealer!

 

AW COME ON GUYS. TRY DRIVING A MIATA IN 95 DEGREE 100 PERCENT HUMIDITY.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S LIKE HERE IN STLOU THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER!!!!! YOU JUST DRIVE TOP DOWN AIR CONDITIONING ON. WE CALL IT "CALIFORNIA STYLE"HERE IN THE MIDWEST. I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY MINI SO HOPEFULLY MY AC WILL WORK JUST FINE IF NOT HOW ABOUT WINDOWS OPEN,AC ON,& 70MPH

 

Louie, that may work in a pinch but its not my style....especially if you're trying to listen to music, have a conversation, stop at lots of traffic lights, or if you want to avoid breathing the exhaust stench of every vehical nearby. I bought a MINI because it had some refinements and a two seater was out of the question for me. The basic features on brand new car should work...no excuses. Also, watch that caps lock, okay?

 

Sorry about the cap lock. In my real job I have to use it alot. Unfortunately it looks like the sunroof plays a big part in how the a/c works.Hopefully since you don't have one your a/c will work just fine
Happy motoring!

 

Yeah, I think you're right...lots of folks here are skipping out on the sunroof option...especially the ones who park outside all day. BTW, as I started typing I had MY caps lock on...how's that for justice :smile:

 

>>Sorry about the cap lock. In my real job I have to use it alot. Unfortunately it looks like the sunroof plays a big part in how the a/c works.Hopefully since you don't have one your a/c will work just fine
>>Happy motoring!


I used to have a miata, black top and black interior. Dang did it get hot here in Florida!!!! But I've had my MCS with sunroof since June last year and didn't have one problem with the AC or temp in the car.

_________________

Member #47

2002 Dark Silver Mini S white roof and mirrors with Premium and Sport pkgs.
He has come and his name is MINI ME

 

>>>>Sorry about the cap lock. In my real job I have to use it alot. Unfortunately it looks like the sunroof plays a big part in how the a/c works.Hopefully since you don't have one your a/c will work just fine
>>>>Happy motoring!

 

Okay, here's an update in case anyone is ever searching out AC repairs. My AC wasn't working on my '03 Cooper...took it in to be looked at...the problem was electrical. They tightened up one connection and everything was fine. The compressor wasn't even kicking in before...yeah, that would limit its cooling capability. Anyway, all is fine now. Is the AC unit wimpy?...we'll see. I expect we in hot climates will do similar testing in July/August to what you poor guys are doing in all this cold and snow. Its all great info. BTW, thanks to those who have already been through a summer with their Coopers and reported a "thumbs-up" on AC performance.

 

Cooper flags sell the perforated decal JUST for the sunroof. It's $119.00 and I may consider adding this if I find the shade does not coll the car enough. I also find the sun shines through the roof creating extra glare as I drive....perhaps the perforated flag will "help" this as well.

 

I think the biggest factor people are forgeting to add to this topic is peoples weight. See me, I'm a 240lb kinda guy. Kinda 'cause my weight is like a yo-yo, if you know what I mean. So for me the A/C on my Pathfinder is ok, not great but good. But when my wife-to-be is in it with me she is freezing.

We all have different tolerances when it comes to whats cold and hot. What is "wimpy" to one could be "bad ***" to another. When it's 60 degrees in this office during the winter (I'm from Houston, TX, BTW) there is this one guy who turns on the A/C becuse he is hot while the rest of us are freezing. This guy is like 350lbs 6'6".

So when talking about A/C never forget that you can never really know if it's ok, great or wimpy because it's all subjective so it's better to go to a local Mini dealer (if available) and see for yourself.

Me, I like to ride with the windows rolled down in the middle of summer with 110 degrees outside with my hind sticking out getting burned sweating and all, why? Cause I hate "artificial" air and am not a wimp when it comes to heat.

See what I mean, it's all subjective. Haha...

H.é.c.t.o.r.

 

>>Yeah, I think you're right...lots of folks here are skipping out on the sunroof option...especially the ones who park outside all day.


Living in Hawaii, we skipped out on the sunroof option, also. Not too many "locals" have sunroofs or convertibles...too much sun!!

I test drove 3 MC's with sunroofs, and it took awhile to cool down because the "sunscreen" didn't serve a purpose. That was enough to convince us to axe the sunroof option.

On a side note, we use our A/C almost year 'round....hmmm. I wonder if the heater works

 

I took delivery of my MINI Cooper S in July in Alabama - the air worked great in July and Augest the two hottest and most humid months

 

just to add something that I have not seen in thread yet, Caution, Caution, make sure that the spongy filter vents in the boot are not obstructed by anything, i.e. the boot organizer. Air coming into the vehicle must escape somewhere, and that somewhere is out those vents in the boot. Having them blocked will greatly reduce the performance of the ac. I have AAC in Texas, got the car in August and it worked just fine!!!

 

Those spongy things at the air intake worry me a bit. Can they be removed to be cleaned? Washed, squeezed out and replaced by the motorer?

 

Completely FALSE. I live in FL, have the non-mind-of-it's-own A/C (i.e. manual) and hardly ever run my A/C past 1. Then again, I do not have a sunroof and I have a white roof.