It's been hot around here lately, real hot 100-105 and the AC just doesn't get AS cold as my other vehicles. I'm just wondering if I have a problem or if the MINI is a bit weak on the AC department.

thanks,

 

Are the other cars 4 cylinder engines?

 

I agree! My AC doesn't seem to get very cold either.

 

I have had similar weather and the AC seems pretty cold to me. The only issue I have is that I cannot position the right driver side vent to directly point at me since the steering wheel is in the way, so i get a bit of indirect cooling from that one

 

No, one is a 6 cylinder Honda Pilot and the other is a Diesel Ford, either of these vehicles with cavernous interiors will cool them off and and then can be turned to a low fan setting. I would actually think it is a matter of AC compressor size not engine size that matters though.

The MINI seems to need to be on recirclulate to get "cold" air. After the MINI is cooled off, it still needs to be on high to maintain the cabin temp.

 

This is my second MINI (first was a 2003 MC) and while the 2007 MCS has improved ac, it is still not very powerful, especially if you have the added demand of the sunroof. I have found that using auto-mode helps, or placing it in recirculate mode. On really hot days (not so common here) I put a sunblock in the sunroof.

 

That's a great point. Recirculate has been a must here. 100+ degree's lately. Today was nice though 68 this morning! I'm thinking it's not a malfunction...just not what I'm used too.

 

We have a 2003 mini and used our AC all last week while on vacation. It worked great.....almost too cold at times and the temps were in the mid 90's.

 

No problems with the A/C. Like Scottie31 said, it's actually too cold sometimes. I do have it on recirculate. Temps have been near 100 this week.

 

Auto recirculate almost all the time here and it's quite chilly. I have had to turn the vents away from me since they were freezing my hands.

 

Im here in Florida, No problems with AC, gets a little too chilly at times.

 

why would you not want to recirculate?

 

No problems with my AC either.

 

My AC definitely works great. Are your windows tinted at all?

 

I asked a similar question a couple of weeks back. mine is not very cold.

 

I don't recirculate because I smoke in my car. Hell though I think I am used to the heat. I drive in Florida in 95 degree weather with the windows down and no AC on.

 

mines weak. Oh well.

 

No issues with the A/C in our 2003 MC.

 

+1

No problems. Too cool even! And just like what they said, it just sucks that sometimes if I want the right side vent pointed at me I can't get more air because of the steering wheel so I use the left one instead. And on cooler times, I turn it away from me because it freezes my hands! You just can't be satisfied!

 

On the occasional times I've driven in 100+ F temps, the auto AC has done fine. It doen't blast you with cold air, but I don't recall being uncomfortable or impatient with it cooling the car. Drops mpg by about 3, but works.

 

Recirc on all the time can cause some window fogging depending on your ambient temp, dew point, etc. It can also cause some problems for your passenger after bean consumption.

 

After I put a sunblocker on the front sunroof the AC cools the cabin quicker. I am in Florida where its 100 deg now. My windows are tinted also. If its in a parking lot in the broiling sun, I use the convenience remote to roll the windows down and tilt the sunroof prior to entry. I use Max AC for a few minutes, then close the windows....its doesn't take long to get all the hot air out and cooled down. I then switch back to auto a/c for fresh air. My next Mini will not have a sunroof.....unless they decide to replace the mosquito netting with something more efficient to block sunlight.

 

South Florida and Sunroof w/no added tint or shade.

Usually have sunroof open or vent w/front shade at half and rear shade pulled.

Air conditioner on auto "Lo" not recirculating and fan on a speed from 5 to 7 and cools the car just fine.

You should see a 40-50f drop from outside temperature with AC on MAX and Fan on 7 (Highest Speed).

My compressor must be extra powerful as if I hit the green snowflake button at 40 MPH, the instant MPG reading jumps 10 MPG (46 to 56).

 

No sunroof. No tint.
Mine's just barely adequate.
My Passat used to get icy cold. My wife's MDX gets icy cold. My Mini just kinda cools off - even blasting AC at full on recirculate.
Tony

 

Summer in NE Ohio hasn't been too bad this year, temps usually not above mid 80s.... but no complaints so far with AC (with sunroof) -- it doesn't freeze you out, but then I'm not looking to become an ice cube anyway.