The MC or MCS is at the top of my list in my search for a new daily driver in a few months.

I'm near Phoenix Arizona and A/C gets a workout here seven months out of the year, so I want to be assured the MINI A/C is up to the task.

Also - does the Automatic A/C upgrade work any better than the manual A/C in terms of cooling power, or is it all about auto fan speed and keeping the cabin at a steady temp?

Would be great to hear from anyone who has had the chance to sample manual and automatic A/C and can compare them.

 

Your pal from Chandler here.. Mini AC is up to the task of handling Phoenix summers, I've endured two at this point (seem like 3 the way the weather is this week), and it's been fine. I have the automatic AC but I wouldn't think the manual version would perform any differently.

 

I am in Tucson and a/c works fine. I have manual control works ok, next time I will opted for auto air.

 

Auto air works good. Can be manually overridden when needed. Not in Arizona, but we have days when it's near or over 100 with very high humidity and AC handles the job admirably.

 

Thanks everybody! Sounds like either system should be okay. Still deciding on options and trying to keep the price in check, so auto A/C might not make the cut, because something like sport suspension or upgraded leather might be more important to me. Decisions, decisions...

 

In sunny SW FL I have the auto air and love it. It gets cold and quick. When not in the dead of summer the auto air easily regulates itself to keep you comfortable. I hate the manual air in the MINI, for some reason I just can't dial it in to suit my needs.

 

It is good enough. Like all A/Cs though, it might be a 100 outside and you might have it set at 65 you migth be lucky if it gets into the 70s. Most are only good for about 20% which isn't bad because a 20 degree difference is noticeable.

 

In Phoenix and have the auto A/C and it works great. Keeps me nice and cool when it's 110 out!

 

Might not want to get that sport suspension if roads aren't too good where you are. It makes the ride very very stiff and unforgiving.

 

Re: auto or manual AC

I had the auto AC in my R53 and during the summers here in Texas, it was always full blast anyhow. It rarely got cool enough in the cabin for it to automatically slow down/turn off. Therefore, the maunal AC I have now, I never really think about it and wish I had the auto AC. I do prefer how the auto AC controls look over the manual controls, however.

 

Keep in mind that a sunroof works against the AC. That was one reason I didn't get a sunroof on my 2006 MCS.

 

I'm in Goodyear (west Phx) so hello! Had my MCS 2+ weeks now and A/C seems adequate. I still tend to go 2/40 unless I start sweating
The A/C on my 03 GTI was so cold you'd actually have to turn it down.
2/40 is A/C for old/junk vehicles for those who don't know (2 windows down, 40Mph) :P

 

A/C whats that lol. I actually never use the a/c in my car. I have that whole "it burns gas faster and slows the car down" idea burned into my mind.
The a/c is actually pretty chilly from what I remember at the dealership lol.

 

Might still want to run it every once in awhile cause it does weird things when you do and then all of a sudden start running it.

 

Hello! 2/40, that's a good one! As a kid, I drove a '66 Chevy pickup several summers, so I know what you mean!

I've got a beater '00 Ford Taurus with Auto A/C that is too cold on the lowest setting, even if it's 113F outside. Great A/C, but a whale of a car!

 

One of the few options I don't have is the sunroof, partially for the same reason. I echo your advice - Mini sunroof is not a good option in a hot climate. And they are generally problematic anyways.

 

I already decided I'm definitely skipping the sunroof. Adds weight and one more possible place to leak. 2 of my 3 VW's had them, and when the weather is perfect they are nice, but when I don't have one I don't miss it at all.

 

I live in Texas and have an all black MCS with sunroof and manual AC. The entire argument about "too hot" is completely overblown. The automatic AC is ok, but it's not worth the price. I've used both and the performance difference is negligible at best. The regular AC is more than adequate.

It's kind of like the "sunroof is too heavy and leaky" argument, there's not much basis in it, but it makes for a good catch phrase that's easy to parrot...

 

Well, I've had MINI's with and without Auto AC, and with and without sunroofs, and I'm in the manual AC and no sunroof fanclub and it does stay pretty warm here in Houston too.
The problem for me with the Auto AC was that it tended to spread out the air to various sources around the car. When it's hot I want it blowing only out of the dash vents and on HIGH. I ended up over-riding it so much anyway that I opted for the manual on my latest and it's more controllable to me. (and $500 less.)

 

Oh another tip and this might just be a Florida thing because no where else do I see this. When you go to get in your car after it has sat outside for a couple of hours roll the windows down and blast the a/c, after which as you drive out of the parking lot put the windows back up. What this does is blow all the hot air out of the car so you are not waiting for the a/c to cool all that hot air down and almost dieing of heat stroke in your car. It works I do it all the time.

 

Here in south central TX, ..blazing hot summers, and the AC keeps us nicely chilled

...but the vents so close to the wheel...my knuckles start to go numb when its on high! need driving gloves for the summer

 

The AC in my car gets nipples ready to cut diamonds.

 

I have the manual A/C and wish I'd gotten the auto. The manual takes a lot of fiddling.

I would think the sunroof would allow venting the hot air, but then I really like having a sunroof. The screen keeps the sun from being too bright, better than I thought it would.

 

Echo what Portos said. Open windows a few minutes and run A/C, really makes a difference in how fast it cools off the interior.
I don't run my A/C much but I do flip it on once in awhile to keep the seals lubricated. At least, that held true to the older cars so I assume it's the same for the Mini.

 

If you do have the sunroof, either get a zippy shade or put 5%limo tint on the glass of the roof.

I had the first and finally did the second. Auto ac works like a charm.