Just picked up an 06 with automatic climate control. It seems like you can either set it on cold or hot. No middle ground. I had it on 70 with the AC on and the air was slightly warm. I'm in Florida. Not trying to rub it in with you northern folks

I brought it my the dealer and they said its a quirk with minis with automatic climate control and that you're best setting it on Lo or Hi and adjusting the temp with the fan.

Is that pretty much the normal experience?

 

They're full of it. If it's working properly, you set it to the temp you want and let it do the rest. I usually have mine at 70, sometimes one notch (2 degrees) above or below. You could have a temp sensor issue. Did you buy it from that dealer?

 

I did buy it from a Mini dealer in Tampa.

If you have it manual mode, there's no middle ground. When adjusting the dial the air mostly comes out either hot or cold. Thought that seemed odd.

The air from the vents doesn't feel cold till you turn it down to 64 or 62. Anything above that the air goes from warm to hot.

 

You might want to check that your AC is sufficiently charged. It also depends on what the relative temp is outside.

 

Mines not a 1st Gen, but like Eric said, set it and forget it. The only time I mess with the manual setting is if I'm driving in cold weather with the window down. Then I route it through the dash vents. The rest of the time it's set on 70-72 and works like a champ.

 

I'll look into it. AC is always challenging here. Heck, it's 80 out today

 

I live in Melbourne FL

on my 2002 S and my 2007 S I set the auto a/c on 68 and seldom touched it again the entire time I owned the cars. My 2002 did go thru 2 a/c compressors in that time tho, AND you'll have decreased performance of the a/c if you experience the 'slow fan speed' failure, SO common on GEN1 cars

In general tho, living in FL I find that by the time a car is 3 years old it is good to have an annual a/c check ... mostly to verify the gas level is OK. Heck, I do the same thing on my home a/c ... preventive maintenance is a decent thing IMO.

 

Mine is set at 70 and it does the rest either way. I found out the last couple days when it was chilly.

 

I am in Georgia and it works great. I set at say 70 and no issue. I turn on the A/C sometimes as that will prevent fog on the windows. Other than that it works perfect. But car has to be warm before it ramps up with the bar graphs. Same with the wife's Countryman.

2013 S Coupe.