mine seems weak as well, and the vent's don't put the cool air on the driver.

one of the MINI "syle first" things I guess

 

I'd like to be able to turn off that vent on the center of the dash, above the speedo. I don't know what it is for but it just seems useless.

 

I've found that my 08 MCS with the regular AC is generally a warm car. Without the A/C on during cool days, the vents tend to blow air that's warmer than I want and I tend to open the windows more frequently. I've found the A/C itself to be pretty effective, but it certainly isn't the "nuclear powered refrigerator" that I've experienced in some American cars.

 

True. The blasted HVAC blows hot air unless I turn it off or put on the AC. My 2006 e90 did this too.

My Cooper S always feels hot to me.

 

When I first got my '08 MCSa I posted the same question here on NAM but was told by others that the vent on top of the dash is there for the rear passengers since the speedometer is in the center of the dash.

When driving alone by closing the passenger vent I can get more cold air flowing through the driver side which helps quite a bit.

 

Mines weak too. I was just thinking about looking for this topic and here it was. I really noticed it today when the weather was about 90 today. It takes a while to get it comforatable in the cab.

 

Went by aircraft maintenance shop yesterday and borrowed their A/C electronic test unit.

Outside, in full 90f sunlight, registered high 40's on high blower and high 30's on low blower setting.

High blower is best test and over 40 degree drop from ambient would be satisfactory on a GM auto, over 50 is excellent performance.

Of course it is still new, (seven weeks, 700 miles) but I never close my sunroof in South Florida and Auto AC keeps cabin cool.