On that subject if I could ask, how well does a properly running ac system cool an r53. I just acquired one with 150kmiles. No records. The blower motor is mediocre most the force comes from the side vents not central and Id say the coolness of the air is maybe a 6 out of ten on a hot day. Id like to think a BMW product should do a better job but this is a first gen design so I was skeptical at putting the money into refreshing the system. Just like some input if you guys dont mind. Thanks

 

The MINI is not an air cooled Porsche that means the AC is very good. If you are not getting good circulation then either the fan motor is shot or the duct actuators are on the fritz. Have you had the system checked? Or you able to do your own wrench turning?

 

After 12 years of ownership, I noticed that our R53's yet to need service a/c wasn't as cold as I would like. After reading many a thread on a diy recharge and the ensuing dilemmas, I took it down to our trusted indie shop and they evacuated the system and recharged it. It only took a half a pound of coolant. They thought that was outstanding after 12 years. Me too. Word to the wise, have the a/c sysem serviced by experienced professionals. It's worth the money.

 

Have not had it looked at... still sorting out an oil leak and an inoperative hatch switch.

 

Check to see if your car has the cabin air filter under the passenger side in the heater box......I bought an '04 R53 MCS 2 years ago, and an '06 R52 MCS JCW a couple weeks ago and I pulled what looked like the OE filters from each of the housings.....I don't think that they were ever changed since new

 

Do you have the auto climate control? If so, I’ve found that when running it on “auto” rather than manual with the vent control specifically set to the front vents, it blows a fair amount of air through the big upper dash vent and other places. Maybe try setting it manually to see if it works more to your liking. If the air isn’t getting cool enough, then that’s another story....you need to have it serviced in that case.

 

When sticking a thermometer in the center vent, you should be getting down to 38 to 45F.
If not, the charge needs to be adjusted and possibly so other repairs may be required.

 

Thinking that the average Delta T of an auto ac is around 40 degrees.

Unless you had an air cooled Porsche and then you learned to just put a bag of ice on your lap.

 

 

Delta T of 45.

 

 

Yes but I am pretty sure there are folks here that have no idea what Delta T is.

 

 

A little of topic but there have been a couple of posts recently where the battery was connected up backwards, positive to ground.

Some get upset when they take a question as being an insult to their intelligence but usually the question is because an important part of the problem has been left out.