It's never been great but I thought I'd get a gas refill done at a fast-fit retailer (UK).

It passed the vacuum test and they've recharged it. Driving back, I thought it got slightly better as I was driving faster, but it was still not particularly discernible from just having the blowers set to 'Lo' with the aircon button off.

I've just been out with an IR gun and aimed at the vents, you can see it coming down when the A/C button is on, but it's not quick. Also, the pipes under the bonnet are all recording fairly stable temperatures. I just did the same with my MK6 Golf as a test and nearly got frostbite touching the pipes.

Is there anything sensible I can measure/test with ISTA-D or another tool? I'm wondering if whatever the system uses to read the temperature isn't working properly, or if there's some kind of heater diverter valve in the engine bay? For what it's worth, setting it to 'Hi' certainly makes it hot very quickly.

 

Might Help.
My 2013 Countryman S had a hole in the Condenser coil facing the engine ( not from outside debris ) . when I took it to the dealer before I found this out, they ran all tests and swore it was the low pressure valve seal , replaced the valve and refilled the system and charged me full price "because that is not covered by the warranty".
A few days later no ac. I used an ac charge kit and found the leak myself . Took it back the dealer ... "oh oh ok we will fix it, if the leak is facing inward under warranty". So they did finally.

 

thanks, I’ve got the car booked in with a local BMW expert for later in the month. I noticed the engine fan doesn’t come on at all with the air con button pressed. I don’t think there’s an obvious leak as it passed the test / wasn’t cold j on the drive home

I’m able to manually trigger the fan using ISTA, so I think either the compressor has had it (would make sense as it’s never been great), or something’s wrong with the fan or a relay. Either way I’m now out of my diagnosing depth!

 

Turned out there was a hole in the condenser. Considerable amount of money later it's now working again. Certainly not as strong as my VW Golf but the car is at least usable again in this weather.