I'm getting close to ordering a mini for my daughter but wanted to check out what you all think of the A/C unit. I know it very hot in Phoenix/Tucson and would like you opinion on whether the A/C is adequate for the desert southwest. Also how quickly does the car cool off and does it stay cool?? Does the roof color and or sunroof make a difference? Thanks in advance, Lauren

 

I think that the A/C works pretty well, and another thing that will help with keeping it cool while out of the car is to get the windows tinted, I'm not sure about the roof.

 

lots of info here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=5520

 

One tip since I live in Phoenix....don't get the sun roof...it is totally ineffective and makes the AC work overtime since it has a mesh screen instead of a solid screen to block the sun....poor oversight on BMW's part. The AC is only fair for the Ariz climate, but the sunroof makes it really work overtime in the summer. I resorted to making sund shades and sticking them between the mesh shade and the sunroof last summer and that helped....also the chrome shift **** has to be covered with a cloth in the summer otherwise it's untouchable when you first get in the car with the sunroof.....great car, just a few interior oversights which I would have thought they would have corrected by now...

 

DO NOT get the sunroof.It would be unbearable in your climate.I'd get a car with a white roof

 

My AC doesn't get cold. It gets kind of cool, but that it. Does anyone have this problem?

 

here's the kicker: It's a BMW, their A/C has always been sub-par in the ice-cube-to-the-face factor. This isn't a problem (as Cooperspeed assumes), this is prioritization in vehicle design. Do you want a car with A/C that functions just OK, but has essentially trademark BMW quality overall, or (take the GM route) do you want A/C that RULES at the expense of overall car quality? It's a generalization (and I'm just picking on GM here), but hopefully you get the point.

Go the trad-Mini route, White roof, with no sunroof, and the A/C won't be taxed as much!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Why put it in there then? I didn't pay for the Auto AC for it to work OK...

 

>>Why put it in there then? I didn't pay for the Auto AC for it to work OK...


Here we go again ......Why not own a KIA?

 

I heard of someone closing off the glove campartment vent to stop the A/C in there and forcing it back into the cabin. They said that it made a difference in the amout of cold air being redirected through the system. Makes sense....anyone else hear of this??? Oh and by the way.......because it's a KIA!!

 

>>I heard of someone closing off the glove campartment vent to stop the A/C in there and forcing it back into the cabin. They said that it made a difference in the amout of cold air being redirected through the system. Makes sense....anyone else hear of this??? Oh and by the way.......because it's a KIA!!

I did this mainly because I really don't need to heat/cool what's inside my glovebox... (but it's nice to know it's there... I'll probably end up using it in the summer) It only makes sens as that is one less space to cool. To relate this, if you add an addition onto your house, you may need a bigger AC unit to handle the larger size... same thing but on a much smaller scale.

Also as for the sunroof, if it was really an issue, I'd probably get a perforated decal for the sunroof. This way the perforation from the decal combined with the perforated screen should cut out most of the heat. Luckily I don't live where I need to be concerned with that so I got the sunroof and quite frankly I prefer the screen because it still lets air in while I'm driving.
-Chris

 

First, I've found that after pulling out of the garage the temperature of the car is significantly lower than the outside. This of course does not que the A/C to turn on since it thinks the car is already cool. Second, I've found that turning the temperature to a lower setting than what I think it should be really helps with cooling off the car faster. Third, here is sunny Texas I've found every car I try that has climate control takes a little longer to stabilize with the sun burning in through the windows (additional tinting will help here). Fourth, I've cut up a windshield shade it stuck it between the screen and the glass which has also helped.

Bottom line, it works adequately, but does not create the refrigerator effect that GM cars do. I'm happy with it.

 

Florida Checking In!
White Roof, No Sunroof.
AC Fine. Cools the car down in no time. I never even use the sunshade.

 

South Florida...

White roof - no Sunroof.
Auto A/C works great! Worth every penny.
I do keep the Passenger & Glove Vents closed which adds to the 'push' of air on the Driver's Side.

I'd be scared to have a black roof or a sunroof during South Florida's summer!

 

This is a concern of mine too. I don't think the AC is that great but it's a small price to pay for a great car. The sunroof is really nice to have even though it's going to be very hot in August here in TN. Oh well... still a proud MINI owner.

 

Here's a thread I started just before placing the order for my MCS.

To sun roof or not to sun roof...

I opted for the sunroof.

I just survived my first 93 deg day yesterday.
The MCS's AC does blow very cold air out of the vents.

Not nearly as cold as my 2k2 Dodge Neon , but colder than my old 94 Nissan Sentra.

The Sentra's interior became cold enough to drive with. It also seems the MCS's interior does cool down enough to drive comfortably. But you must remember I lived in Phoenix for three years with a car that did not have any AC. I even used to deliver pizza's in it for two of those three years. So maybe I'm just slightly crazy about the hot weather here in PHX!!!