R50/53 ATTENTION MINI DRIVERS IN WARM/HOT CLIMATES!
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3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
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From: Bloomfield New Jersey
its 45 degrees today in New Jersey and everyone is very happy for that being that last week we dropped to an average of 15...eeekkkk.
Its NEVER to early to think about summer driving...
Its NEVER to early to think about summer driving...
>>very true...that why ive been washing her religiously every week.
>>
>>But this AC rumor is troubling me.
I saw that post the other day where someone was saying that the AC wasn't good...and I figured I'd let that pass...but since it's come up again, I have to say that I think the AC is great! I got my car in early September and had the chance to use the AC for several weeks before the weather cooled. I found that the AC blew plenty cold and had no problem keeping up with the heat (and I have the sunroof, so I get some solar heating as well).
Remember, the MINI's cabin is relatively tiny so it doesn't take a whole lot of cooling to chill it. So rest easy. In a couple of months when you get to use it I think you'll find the AC works well.
Anyone from FL want to chime in?
>>
>>But this AC rumor is troubling me.
I saw that post the other day where someone was saying that the AC wasn't good...and I figured I'd let that pass...but since it's come up again, I have to say that I think the AC is great! I got my car in early September and had the chance to use the AC for several weeks before the weather cooled. I found that the AC blew plenty cold and had no problem keeping up with the heat (and I have the sunroof, so I get some solar heating as well).
Remember, the MINI's cabin is relatively tiny so it doesn't take a whole lot of cooling to chill it. So rest easy. In a couple of months when you get to use it I think you'll find the AC works well.
Anyone from FL want to chime in?
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8
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Also got my car in September- here is Miami FL tends to be hot most of the time- AC has worked fine so far..this coming summer will be the true test- although there were many! hot days in Sept, October this past fall...Just my humble experience...
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 434
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RUMOR IS: THAT THE a/c IS NOT SO GREAT ON THE MINI...IS THIS TRUE?
The problem is the tremendous heat build up inside the mini if you have the sunroof and it is a very warm sunny day. The mesh screen does very little to block the heat on really hot sunny days....as a result the AC has to work overtime. I live in Phoenix and got delivery on my mini in May 02. At first I thought the
AC didn't have coolant since it was working so hard trying to get the car cooled. But I finally discovered the heat factor through the mesh screen. I resorted to making a custom fit sun shield, like that goes on the dash for both the front and back sunroof. I placed the shields between the roof and the mesh screens and it worked terrific and the AC then worked fine....a hassle since at night in Arizona it is much cooler and nice to have the sunroof open...but parking in the summer a must in Arizona.....also had to put a small cloth over te chrome shift ****, ouch without it, laugh ! I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the mesh shade since if it isn't hot, you leave the shade open like I do in the Arizona winters or night but if it is hot & sunny, you just close a solid shade....seems like a dumb idea on BMW part unless I'm missing something, laugh!
The problem is the tremendous heat build up inside the mini if you have the sunroof and it is a very warm sunny day. The mesh screen does very little to block the heat on really hot sunny days....as a result the AC has to work overtime. I live in Phoenix and got delivery on my mini in May 02. At first I thought the
AC didn't have coolant since it was working so hard trying to get the car cooled. But I finally discovered the heat factor through the mesh screen. I resorted to making a custom fit sun shield, like that goes on the dash for both the front and back sunroof. I placed the shields between the roof and the mesh screens and it worked terrific and the AC then worked fine....a hassle since at night in Arizona it is much cooler and nice to have the sunroof open...but parking in the summer a must in Arizona.....also had to put a small cloth over te chrome shift ****, ouch without it, laugh ! I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the mesh shade since if it isn't hot, you leave the shade open like I do in the Arizona winters or night but if it is hot & sunny, you just close a solid shade....seems like a dumb idea on BMW part unless I'm missing something, laugh!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 144
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From: Miami, FL
Another Miami driver here and I must say that the AC is wonderful, I normally don't even have it on, but when I do, its very cold!
Don't know if my opinion is too valid as my other two cars were a 76' BMW 2002 with no A/C, and an 86' 325es that thought it had an A/C....lol
Don't know if my opinion is too valid as my other two cars were a 76' BMW 2002 with no A/C, and an 86' 325es that thought it had an A/C....lol
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Now Atlanta isn't Death Valley, but yesterday we had a gathering of over 30 MINI's just outside of town (topic for another thread) and there seemed to be general agreement among those who had owned their cars long enough that A/C performance was in fact quite good last summer.
Majority of the turnout seemed to be MCSs, so I'm not certain if non"S" owners will share this sentiment.
Majority of the turnout seemed to be MCSs, so I'm not certain if non"S" owners will share this sentiment.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
>>RUMOR IS: THAT THE a/c IS NOT SO GREAT ON THE MINI...IS THIS TRUE?
>>
>>The problem is the tremendous heat build up inside the mini if you have the sunroof and it is a very warm sunny day. The mesh screen does very little to block the heat on really hot sunny days....as a result the AC has to work overtime. I live in Phoenix and got delivery on my mini in May 02. At first I thought the
>>AC didn't have coolant since it was working so hard trying to get the car cooled. But I finally discovered the heat factor through the mesh screen. I resorted to making a custom fit sun shield, like that goes on the dash for both the front and back sunroof. I placed the shields between the roof and the mesh screens and it worked terrific and the AC then worked fine....a hassle since at night in Arizona it is much cooler and nice to have the sunroof open...but parking in the summer a must in Arizona.....also had to put a small cloth over te chrome shift ****, ouch without it, laugh ! I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the mesh shade since if it isn't hot, you leave the shade open like I do in the Arizona winters or night but if it is hot & sunny, you just close a solid shade....seems like a dumb idea on BMW part unless I'm missing something, laugh!
>>
It is not just the MINIs...I lived on Phoenix for sometime and I had a car that had sunroof and it was hotter than he!! everytime I went into it in the summer. THe A/C never seemed liked it worked either. Would have to open all the windows, turn the A/C on full drive like a mad man for the first 10 miles then close the windows. I think it is all relative to your location.
>>
>>The problem is the tremendous heat build up inside the mini if you have the sunroof and it is a very warm sunny day. The mesh screen does very little to block the heat on really hot sunny days....as a result the AC has to work overtime. I live in Phoenix and got delivery on my mini in May 02. At first I thought the
>>AC didn't have coolant since it was working so hard trying to get the car cooled. But I finally discovered the heat factor through the mesh screen. I resorted to making a custom fit sun shield, like that goes on the dash for both the front and back sunroof. I placed the shields between the roof and the mesh screens and it worked terrific and the AC then worked fine....a hassle since at night in Arizona it is much cooler and nice to have the sunroof open...but parking in the summer a must in Arizona.....also had to put a small cloth over te chrome shift ****, ouch without it, laugh ! I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the mesh shade since if it isn't hot, you leave the shade open like I do in the Arizona winters or night but if it is hot & sunny, you just close a solid shade....seems like a dumb idea on BMW part unless I'm missing something, laugh!
>>
It is not just the MINIs...I lived on Phoenix for sometime and I had a car that had sunroof and it was hotter than he!! everytime I went into it in the summer. THe A/C never seemed liked it worked either. Would have to open all the windows, turn the A/C on full drive like a mad man for the first 10 miles then close the windows. I think it is all relative to your location.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, Arizona
Another Arizona MINI owner. I have the ACC. I found during the summer that when you first get in, it would be better if it blew more toward the face to at least make you feel cooler. It trys to cool the feet area at the same time. The warm January weather that we had (86 last week), we are still using our air. I find that if I park it in the sun, it will get extra warm so I will switch it to manual and route the air out the dash vents for a few miles and then switch it back to auto.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
From: Cooper City, Fl
South Florida here.....A/C works fine. Had it on today and works great. I got mine in August so if you ever been in South Florida in August you'll know. It's hotter than S**T here that time of year. 
>>Another Arizona MINI owner. I have the ACC. I found during the summer that when you first get in, it would be better if it blew more toward the face to at least make you feel cooler. It trys to cool the feet area at the same time. The warm January weather that we had (86 last week), we are still using our air. I find that if I park it in the sun, it will get extra warm so I will switch it to manual and route the air out the dash vents for a few miles and then switch it back to auto.
You say you have the Auto Climate Control...I think some of your experience can be addressed by switching off the "auto" part and choosing manually where you want the air directed. Over on the "If you had to do it over again" thread right this minute there's an active complaint going on about the Auto Climate Control. Seems to me that this is a related issue.
The air's cold (IMHO). The ACC controls stink. :evil:
You say you have the Auto Climate Control...I think some of your experience can be addressed by switching off the "auto" part and choosing manually where you want the air directed. Over on the "If you had to do it over again" thread right this minute there's an active complaint going on about the Auto Climate Control. Seems to me that this is a related issue.
The air's cold (IMHO). The ACC controls stink. :evil:
Well, I live in the Phx. metro area and I believe the A/C works fine. Even have the sunroof. Got my MCS last August so that was a good test. Don't care what kind of car you have, if you leave it outside during the summer day it's going to be one hot puppy when you get in. What I try to do is hit the key button to open the windows and the roof before you get in that lets the heat out and start the car and get the cool air blowing then start closing up the little beast. It's hard to be comfortable in the hot weather here, I guess the word is 'bearable'.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I perfer to wear light clothing and roll down the windows.. What I liked about 1960's cars was the fact they all had floor vents to the outside. You opened those babys and no matter how hot it is you have a great flow keeping you cool.. I drove many miles in corvairs beteen Dallas and Tucson..
Did you know if you eat a cucumber in hot weather it will keep you feeling cool for a hour or two?
Did you know if you eat a cucumber in hot weather it will keep you feeling cool for a hour or two?
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I have the standard MC with the manual A/C and the sunroof.
In the hot weather (high 90's and up) the A/C never really cools the car off. It takes almost the entire 30-40 minute drive home to get the car comfortable. This is ONLY in really hot weather when the car has heated up in the sun.
When set to blow from the dash, A/C seems to blow most of the air through the big vent in the center of the dash towards the middle, and not much comes thruogh the vents that can be directed, so in really hot weather it can take quite a while to get comfortable. It helps a little to direct it toward your feet and center.
As well, when set to high (4), the A/C fan is quite a bit louder than other A/C's I've had.
Maybe my car is abnormal or having the manual A/C affects the performance, but this is my experience in the heat. I've had my car since last June, and I went through the whole summer disliking the performance of the A/C. I had it checked in August 02 by the dealer just to make sure it wasn't low on freon/coolant, but checked out fine.
In the hot weather (high 90's and up) the A/C never really cools the car off. It takes almost the entire 30-40 minute drive home to get the car comfortable. This is ONLY in really hot weather when the car has heated up in the sun.
When set to blow from the dash, A/C seems to blow most of the air through the big vent in the center of the dash towards the middle, and not much comes thruogh the vents that can be directed, so in really hot weather it can take quite a while to get comfortable. It helps a little to direct it toward your feet and center.
As well, when set to high (4), the A/C fan is quite a bit louder than other A/C's I've had.
Maybe my car is abnormal or having the manual A/C affects the performance, but this is my experience in the heat. I've had my car since last June, and I went through the whole summer disliking the performance of the A/C. I had it checked in August 02 by the dealer just to make sure it wasn't low on freon/coolant, but checked out fine.
Coordinator :: Gulf Coast & Panhandle MINIs
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,662
Likes: 0
From: In the Tube
>>South Florida here.....A/C works fine. Had it on today and works great. I got mine in August so if you ever been in South Florida in August you'll know. It's hotter than S**T here that time of year.
I'm in NW Florida and have used my A/C a couple months, until winter hit here. Not one problem so far and don't expect to have one from what I've experienced so far.
I'm in NW Florida and have used my A/C a couple months, until winter hit here. Not one problem so far and don't expect to have one from what I've experienced so far.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
>>Another Arizona MINI owner. I have the ACC. I found during the summer that when you first get in, it would be better if it blew more toward the face to at least make you feel cooler. It trys to cool the feet area at the same time. The warm January weather that we had (86 last week), we are still using our air. I find that if I park it in the sun, it will get extra warm so I will switch it to manual and route the air out the dash vents for a few miles and then switch it back to auto.
I must say that last week during the record heat here in Phoenix, I was dreading those 118 degree drives home after sitting all day in the parking lot. The mesh roof is great in the 2 months of winter here, but come April, I know I am going to hate it. By June, I will probably stick something up there to block it out completely.
As for the AC power, I do think it is a little on the weak side. The way the vents are positioned, the don't seem to blow on you that well. The steering wheel blocks the main 2 vents and the other 2 will not direct air to the driver's seat. In addition, the power does seem to lack that punch. In my Tahoe, it blows full bore. I love it! Like and ice cold jet engine blowing in your face. As with many other cars I have owned, the Mini seems to fall into that European idea on AC (Am I right Porsche owners?)
I don't think people understand the degree of the situation here in Phoenix in the Summer. That 118 degree temp at 5:00 is in the shade! Sometimes it doesn't even cool down below 100 degrees at night!
When we get into the cars, it is sometimes 130+ degrees in there. By the time I drive an hour home, I am cooling off at the 40 minute mark.....in most any car. When it hits over 95 in other cities, you hear about people dying. 95 is a cooling trend here. The airport gets closed down sometimes because the runways are to hot and are melting threfore planes can not take off.
I am willing to bet that there will soon be a more powerfull blower motor in the near future!
I must say that last week during the record heat here in Phoenix, I was dreading those 118 degree drives home after sitting all day in the parking lot. The mesh roof is great in the 2 months of winter here, but come April, I know I am going to hate it. By June, I will probably stick something up there to block it out completely.
As for the AC power, I do think it is a little on the weak side. The way the vents are positioned, the don't seem to blow on you that well. The steering wheel blocks the main 2 vents and the other 2 will not direct air to the driver's seat. In addition, the power does seem to lack that punch. In my Tahoe, it blows full bore. I love it! Like and ice cold jet engine blowing in your face. As with many other cars I have owned, the Mini seems to fall into that European idea on AC (Am I right Porsche owners?)
I don't think people understand the degree of the situation here in Phoenix in the Summer. That 118 degree temp at 5:00 is in the shade! Sometimes it doesn't even cool down below 100 degrees at night!
When we get into the cars, it is sometimes 130+ degrees in there. By the time I drive an hour home, I am cooling off at the 40 minute mark.....in most any car. When it hits over 95 in other cities, you hear about people dying. 95 is a cooling trend here. The airport gets closed down sometimes because the runways are to hot and are melting threfore planes can not take off.
I am willing to bet that there will soon be a more powerfull blower motor in the near future!
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Cramerton, NC
I don't think people understand the degree of the situation here in Phoenix in the Summer. That 118 degree temp at 5:00 is in the shade! Sometimes it doesn't even cool down below 100 degrees at night!
See ya,
JS
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, Arizona
>>
>>
>>Yeah, but it's a dry heat.
>>
>>
So is an oven!
>>I don't think people understand the degree of the situation here in Phoenix in the Summer. That 118 degree temp at 5:00 is in the shade! Sometimes it doesn't even cool down below 100 degrees at night!
>>
>>
>>Yeah, but it's a dry heat.
>>
>>
So is an oven!
>>
Right, and the mean surface temperature on Venus is 847 degrees F... and I'll bet that the MINI's AC doesn't wouldn't work that well there either. 100 degrees at night! Give me winter any old day....
>>I don't think people understand the degree of the situation here in Phoenix in the Summer. That 118 degree temp at 5:00 is in the shade! Sometimes it doesn't even cool down below 100 degrees at night!
>>
>>
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara, CA
>>>>RUMOR IS: THAT THE a/c IS NOT SO GREAT ON THE MINI...IS THIS TRUE?
>>>>
>>>>The problem is the tremendous heat build up inside the mini if you have the sunroof and it is a very warm sunny day. The mesh screen does very little to block the heat on really hot sunny days....as a result the AC has to work overtime. I live in Phoenix and got delivery on my mini in May 02. At first I thought the
>>>>AC didn't have coolant since it was working so hard trying to get the car cooled. But I finally discovered the heat factor through the mesh screen. I resorted to making a custom fit sun shield, like that goes on the dash for both the front and back sunroof. I placed the shields between the roof and the mesh screens and it worked terrific and the AC then worked fine....a hassle since at night in Arizona it is much cooler and nice to have the sunroof open...but parking in the summer a must in Arizona.....also had to put a small cloth over te chrome shift ****, ouch without it, laugh ! I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the mesh shade since if it isn't hot, you leave the shade open like I do in the Arizona winters or night but if it is hot & sunny, you just close a solid shade....seems like a dumb idea on BMW part unless I'm missing something, laugh!
>>>>
>>
>>It is not just the MINIs...I lived on Phoenix for sometime and I had a car that had sunroof and it was hotter than he!! everytime I went into it in the summer. THe A/C never seemed liked it worked either. Would have to open all the windows, turn the A/C on full drive like a mad man for the first 10 miles then close the windows. I think it is all relative to your location.
>>
>>
>>
Here's a thought, I recall awhile back from another thread that someone was interested in a decal that went on top of the sunroof to make the whole roof apear white. I think that he issues at the time were that it would have o be perforated to see through it and you'd still have the black edge of the sunroof showing. As I recall Matt from CooperFlags was interested in putting something like this into production. Well, if we are just interested in keeping the heat out, how about an opaque white vynal contact decal for the sunroof that could be applied in the summer when its hot then peeled off in winter? You could still open the roof if you were so inclined during summer as long as the decal came in pieces (I think). Any interest Matt?
Cheers,
Chuck
>>>>
>>>>The problem is the tremendous heat build up inside the mini if you have the sunroof and it is a very warm sunny day. The mesh screen does very little to block the heat on really hot sunny days....as a result the AC has to work overtime. I live in Phoenix and got delivery on my mini in May 02. At first I thought the
>>>>AC didn't have coolant since it was working so hard trying to get the car cooled. But I finally discovered the heat factor through the mesh screen. I resorted to making a custom fit sun shield, like that goes on the dash for both the front and back sunroof. I placed the shields between the roof and the mesh screens and it worked terrific and the AC then worked fine....a hassle since at night in Arizona it is much cooler and nice to have the sunroof open...but parking in the summer a must in Arizona.....also had to put a small cloth over te chrome shift ****, ouch without it, laugh ! I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the mesh shade since if it isn't hot, you leave the shade open like I do in the Arizona winters or night but if it is hot & sunny, you just close a solid shade....seems like a dumb idea on BMW part unless I'm missing something, laugh!
>>>>
>>
>>It is not just the MINIs...I lived on Phoenix for sometime and I had a car that had sunroof and it was hotter than he!! everytime I went into it in the summer. THe A/C never seemed liked it worked either. Would have to open all the windows, turn the A/C on full drive like a mad man for the first 10 miles then close the windows. I think it is all relative to your location.
>>
>>
>>
Here's a thought, I recall awhile back from another thread that someone was interested in a decal that went on top of the sunroof to make the whole roof apear white. I think that he issues at the time were that it would have o be perforated to see through it and you'd still have the black edge of the sunroof showing. As I recall Matt from CooperFlags was interested in putting something like this into production. Well, if we are just interested in keeping the heat out, how about an opaque white vynal contact decal for the sunroof that could be applied in the summer when its hot then peeled off in winter? You could still open the roof if you were so inclined during summer as long as the decal came in pieces (I think). Any interest Matt?
Cheers,
Chuck
