Does The Countryman's AC Just Suck?
 

I've owned way more new cars than I choose to admit. I got my R60 in November. I live in Alabama. Even before it got really hot this summer, I felt like the AC was insufficient. I have the basic HVAC. Here's what I'm encountering.

- I drive almost 30 minutes in 90 degree weather before it's "cold" in the car and that's a stretch, calling it that.

- I have tried every position on the selector knob. I end up keeping it at around 3 o'clock or one notch further clockwise after about 20-30 minutes. Any of the other positions to the left are completely useless.

- It seems more air comes out through that center vent aimed at the sky than anywhere else.

- The fan switch is useless. It's either full blast or seems like it's not even blowing. The detentes are vague, at best and sometimes, it even bumps down from full to the next "notch" down. It's bizarre. It really is. Since day 1.

- It seems like the pressure varies randomly - not necessarily with the RPM's (it's a manual) and you can here it sort of jump and change sometimes.


Really, even on full blast, recirculate, and 3 o'clock, it just feels like cooled vented air - even when it's 80 outside.

Anyone else?

Short answer:

Yes! There have been many complaints/threads about the exact same thing you are experiencing.

OK, good, then it's not just me. I did actually poke around a bit before posting, but didn't come across any threads. I apologize if my thread is redundant, but nothing on the first few pages and I don't have the time to surf forums like I have in the past. Kind of get in, get answers, get out.

Knowing it's not just me does actually make me feel better. Unfortunately, my dealer is not really convenient to my daily whereabouts, so "just take it and have it looked at" isn't as easy as it sounds.

i have an 03/2012 build cms all4 manual ...

as long as i keep the rpm at or above 3,000 rpm i have 42F air coming out of the vents, even on a 100+F and high humidity day ... below 3,000 rpm not so much

i keep the center dial all the way clockwise, temp full down and fan 1 click down from full on

scott

Mine works very well 90% of the time. The other 10% it is either so hot nothing works (including home ac) or the ac is cycling. It is a 6/12 build. I do hate the center vent, especially when I had a cabrio. When you want air pointed directly at you on a hot day with the top own and half of it is literally over your head, it is a bit annoying.

I think it blows.

lmao

Auto ac in my CM keeps it chilly even in DC summers with 110+ heat index.

On a really hot day the A/C feels the same as my Labrador retriever's hot breath after a long walk.

I hope it smells slightly better!

Sadly, It's not too much different. No drool from the A/C yet. At least I've got that going for me, which is nice.

I have a manual R60S and i noticed the same ac issue on a hot 90+ degree day. I ended up getting my windows tinted 20%/use a sun visor (because I have an all black interior) and now the ac can cool the car a bit easier. It's not chilly to where I have to turn it down or anything but its better than before.

I agree that there is an ac issue with the manual ac's.

I have the auto A/C, and tinting the windows and sunroof really helped mine. But if the car has been in the sun, it takes a long time to cool down, even on Max.

Even though I tinted the sunroof, I may still have to get these Zippee sunroof shades.

I don't have a sunroof, didn't want one and the AC isn't too bad. Not as great as my Nissan Maxima but only takes a few minutes and its cold. Should take my infrared TMeter and see what is actually coming out of the vents but there comes a point where I have to back it down.... Could almost hang meat. Maybe its a sun roof thing thats making it tough on you guys?

I don't have a sunroof and my ac sucks. I noticed that with it blowing on high I don't actually feel the air hitting me. It's cool coming out of the vent and I would be interested in seeing an infrared reading on your ac to compare it to mine.

I have a black roof which absorbs the heat more. I did have the dealer tint the windows with the delivery, but it isn't very dark and I don't know the quality of the tint they used. They used to take it to a specific tint/clear bra shop, but now they do it on their own. If I had known, I would've done it somewhere else. I also have the MINI windshield reflector and pull the sunroof shades closed. I typically tilt the sunroof for some heat to escape through the top, but keep the windows completely shut. I have the auto A/C.

That all being said, I think the MINI A/C system is pretty weak. Even if I have it in the closed garage out of sunlight and have the Auto climate turned on, it seems like it has to run right around top speed to keep the car cool if it's hotter than 90 degrees.

I can also state that even though it shows there are about 6-7 fan speeds, there are only about 3 that are noticeable. It seems more like box fan settings like Off, Low, or High.

The heating and defrost seems to be pretty solid... It's just the cooling portion that doesn't seem to meet expectations.

Luckily, the really hot days of summer are short in Colorado. I can state though that my old 09 MCS hatch had the Auto climate controls and it was just as weak. My only suggestion is to tint the tindows and park in the shade.

Bumping an old thread, sorry, but having just had the Countryman regassed, it doesn't seem any better.

My old MR2, and my Mk6 Golf, will hurt your hand if you leave it in front of the vents for long enough.

I know the Countryman cabin is bigger, but the cooling capacity really does seem weak. Had a new cabin filter a few months ago.
Is there anything I can look for/measure on ISTA-D or similar?