I've been reading comments here and there about how "hot" the leather sport seats are. It brought to mind about the air conditioning. I have leather seats too, in my current car and have no issues getting a hot back since the AC works well in my car.
Since the MiniC only has a 1.6 engine I think maybe the AC doesn't work that well on hot days. Of course maybe it doesn't need to since it has so much less interior to cool.

But can you tell me, does the AC leave some to be desired in the Mini Cooper ?

Thanks,
floyd

 

I find the AC to be more than adequate, even with a sunroof during 90+ heatwaves. During those extreme conditions however, the compressor runs almost continuously and the car can't get out of its own way. The power drain is less noticable in less extreme temps.

As for the seats, I have the leatherette, and I find them to be sticky.

 

Thanks Dave. Add another reason to get the "S".

 

I live in Florida, and i find the AC a little on the weak side. its decent but by no means is it as good as my parents 99' camery.

due to the small dash and round vents, it is hard to direct air straight onto you, because of steering wheel interferance. The other round vents just dont turn enough to direct the air onto you without blowing the air against their own bezzels. So i just put my vents perfectly straight so the air can come out as fast as possible and wait for it to cool down the cabin area.

Edit: i have cloth seats in my MCS with no sunroof

 

Thanks for the info MM.

 

My 04 S A/C worket just fine. Granted, it was a drain on the engine especially in 1st, but it kept the cabin nice and cool in 110+ temps!

 

I'm also in FL (for the next few weeks anyway). If my car is garaged, or parked in the shade, the A/C functions well. If the car is out baking in the sun with the roof and all windows closed, it will take a good long while before the car is comfortable. My Volvo can be parked outside in the sun, and doesn't take nearly as long to cool as the MINI. If the car is garaged and I venture out into 100+ degree heat, everything is fine.

I also find that the blower fan can overrun the AC compressor - in that when the ACC is set to low or the fan is on high, the air exiting the vents will be warmer than if the fan was at half speed. That doesn't seem to occur in my Volvo either.

Engine speed seems to have quite an impact as well - if the engine is between 3-4k rpm, the AC works well - lower the rpm, and it can't keep up (after sitting in the sun).

 

My AC works great, it gets very cold when I have it cranked up. But to echo what has been mentioned already, its a big drain on power. I try to use it as little as possible in order to keep it from draining my power, especially when I need to accellerate quickly. Overall though, its not a big deal.

 

My only complaint on the AC is the length of time it takes to cool off the interior. No where near as quick as my other cars.

 

I find that the AC is a little under powered on hot days in California. If the temps reaches about 95, the AC can't fight off the heat your large sunroof and the surrounding windows generate by letting the sun in. It takes awhile to cool off. I think tinting the windows will help here....

On normal 70 to 80 degrees days, sometimes I feel that the AC gets too cold, even when I adjust the temperture higher.

My suggestion? Roll down your windows and open up the sunroof. The engine roar will make you forget you're sweating like crazy.

 

I think that the AC is great, gets hot or cold really fast

 

I have a Cooper, not the S, and am disappointed in the A/C vs. the Honda Civic I also have. I live in Florida, so that is why it's an issue with me. As others have mentioned, if it's over 90 degrees and the car has baked in the sun it's only adequate. The A/C in the Civic is quieter, colder and doesn't seem to drain power like the MINI. However, the MINI is still much quicker than the Honda.

 

I'd agree that it's OK, but not great. In particular...

1) Vent aim isn't that usefull, as others have posted.
2) Vent balance isn't that good, as others have posted.
3) Useless with low fan speeds, noisey with high fan speeds.
4) Can't keep up with real, real hot days....

But I think the last one has to do with how much glass surface area the car has, and how much heat it can let in.

FTR, I have an 02 S with leather and manual A/C.

Matt

 

I'd have to say that yes, the AC in the MINI is weak compared to most other cars I've driven. Does it "leave something to be desired?" Well, that's a whole 'nother question isn't it?

And I'd have to say "no freakin' way." MINIs are awesome to drive and while the AC isn't as robust as some, it does work well enough. Add an otherwise otherworldly driving package and no....I'd have to say no, there's nothing to be desired.

I've been driving this little beast (Cooper) around for going on four years inclucing triple-digit Texas summers. I'm fine w/ it.

 

From antarctica:

Seems to work just fine, at the times when it is bit weak, I just open the windows a bit.

 

Find the A/C to work great even on the most humid and hot South Carolina days.

 

It's not bad...My only complaint is with the fan at idle...it sucks. If you rev it to 2-3k, the fan speeds up alot...

All around, though, it's fine...It kept me cool when it was 105+ this summer!

 

I have the same experiences as the Dr in my '02. I just replaced the cabin air filter and it seems to have gotten a little better but it's still just adequate. When it's in the high 90's turning on recirc is pretty much the only way to get cold air.

 

The AC in my 05 S was fine. Slight drain on take off at low rpm but just a little more gas and it was fine. Now, with the JCW, I barely notice that the AC is on at any rpm. Plenty of power, plenty of cool.

 

I find that the A/C has two options
very cold or very hot.
As soon as I turn the dial above the "Lo" setting its starts to get warm again.
Its not the best A/C in the world but who cares, since the A/C is crappy I find I roll down the windows more often than ever and enjoy the ride!!
:impatient

 

My AC working fine with 100+ and I have auto AC
I think most of the ppl saying weak AC sounds like they are having manual AC. I am not sure if that is the real cause of the difference.

 

I will suggest having your windows tinted. I do not know your state laws abotu how dark can they be, but I will suggest anything within the law. Also, although it might seem weird, if its very hot (and in Puerto Rico it gets hot and humid believe me!) What I do is, I open both windows with the AC on and drive for a couple of minutes with the windows open. This way, you car will cool down quicker and your AC wont suffer that much.

 

My climate control works pretty well. Only complaint I have is if I park in the sun, my sunroof bakes my car and it takes a little bit to cool the car. But the good news is...it's a small interior!!

 

The AC is adequate for me here in Florida, but the auto feature on the climate control will reduce fan speed when it senses the target temperature has been reached. Body parts that are in shady spots like my feet are fine. Body parts in sunny spots like my arms start to find it too warm. Getting back to the issue of AC and pleather seats, I'm fine as long as the fan speed stays up. Your mileage and pleather tolerance may vary.

 

So true. I feel the same. I complained for weeks when I first got my car. My windows and sunroof are usually open unless I really can't stand the heat (98+). Besides, I look cute in my little mini and I want people to see who the driver is