Just wondering if the mini is suppose to be louder when using the AC. Normal or something to be worried about? Sorry...It's brand new and I'm just curious. Thanks!

 

The ventilation fan in my '04 MCS is MUCH, MUCH more quieter and distributes air MUCH, MUCH better thruought the cabin than the ventilation fan originally fitted in my other MINI a '02 Cooper CVT.

Yes, generally it will be noisier than other cars, but the later build MINIs have the quietest ventilation fans when compared to the early 2002 and 2003 model year build cars.

 

Ventilation is great. It's just that the engine is a little bit louder. Don't know if this is abnormal or what? Also, is it true that the car is slower with the AC? It's a 04 CVT Cooper. Thanks for the input so far.

 

When you start the A/C, you always put an "extra" load on the engine, because the A/C compressor is draining a bit of power from the engine to be able to operate. This is true in all cars without exception. Since the MINI has a 1.6L 4 cylinder engine, you will "feel" more the degraded performance with the A/C on.

This is one of the reasons why MINI went with an electric power steering system. The steering system in our cars are powered with a separate electrical motor that does not use engine power to operate. Most cars today use power steering systems that drain power from the engine, of course the bigger the engine, the less you will notice the power steering draining power away from the engine.


I suspect that if the MINI had a regular power steering systems and on top of that with the A/C, the car would bog down tremedously just by turning the steering wheel.

The extra "Noise" you are referring to, is the separate A/C cooling fan in the engine. Your MINI has an engine cooling fan and a dedicated A/C cooling fan.

When the A/C is turned on and used, it generates an extra load on the engine, thus increasing operating temperatures. This is the reason why you'll hear this A/C engine fan running all the time with you A/C on while driving the car on a very hot day in heavy traffic...This is totally normal and the way it is supposed to work to protect the engine and the A/C system.


Sometimes it is normal for the A/C or engine coolling fans to come on even after the car's engine has been totally shut off.

I have a CVT (2002 model) and I can tell you that the A/C takes away some engine power specially from the get go and the A/C cooling fan turns in frequently in our HOT and HUMID Miami weather. This is absolutely normal and in 25,000 miles I have not had a single problem with the A/C system or engine.


Here in Miami you have to use the A/C 365 days a year! This is one hot and muggy place!

In my '04 MCS, I don't feel the A/C sapping away power from the engine as much, because the MCS has a more torquier, powerful engine thanks to the Supercharger.

Hope this helps.

 

Maybe the engine is working harder with the AC on for a given speed. So as you drive your normal way you are draining some power to run the AC so you work the engine harder and louder to get where you are going.

The car is slower with AC if you drive slower. It can be equally fast as before if you apply more throttle but your gas mileage may drop a bit and the perception of available power will be lessened. Plus you have a little heavier 17" wheels now.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! Better to be safe than sorry....