I have a 2005 MC and we are just starting to get into the upper 80's in NE. I can't believe how weak the AC is in the MINI. I didn't expect freezer-like cold air blasts, but this is pretty pathetic. I did a search but didn't find much on this topic. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

I finally flipped on the AC and found it to be extremely weak as well. Press the circulation button directly below the AC button...this seems to do the trick.

Regards

 

I've heard a few other comments on inadequate air conditioning. I never really understood them though. I live in Arkansas where it often gets to 100 degrees F with near 100% humidity. The AC works great, keeping the car nice and cool.

 

I have the manual A/C controls in my '05 MCS. The air conditioning on that car is FANTASTIC You can hang off meat the air vents....very cold (Around 39-40F).

The A/C of my MCS has not had a single problem dealing with our 85-90F+ summer days and 90%+ ambiental humidity. MIAMI is a very HOT place that has no mercy for weak air conditioners.

In comparison to the A/C in our 2002 Cooper, the '05 MCS' A/C is much better and powerful and takes a lot less to effectively cool down the cabin. The fan in the '05 is very powerful in the "4" position and it is a lot quieter than the fan in the early '02.

My cars are parked outside most of the time under the sun, so they get no shading at all (My wife's Cooper is in covered parking most of the day, but mine doesn't).

Perhaps it also helps that neither one of us have a sunroof so there is no additional light/heat filtration to the cockpit. We don't have window tints either.

If you are having problems with your A/C, take a thermometer and check and see if your air vent temperature is in the 38-45F range. Anything higher you could have a problem with the system, including low level of Freon refrigerant, a leak somewhere, bad compressor, etc.

Like I said no problems here with my A/C!

 

Probably you are used to the air conditioning systems in American Cars which are generally pretty good (Specially Chrysler and GM).:smile:

Check your settings. Do you have the manual or automatic A/C controls??

If my '05 MCS A/C can effectively handle blistering hot and humid South Florida weather, I don't see why your A/C can't.

Otherwise a trip to the dealer may be in order to determine if your system is working within factory specs.

 

Mine is nice and cold, but the blower isn't as powerful as other cars, such as our new Beetle. The Beetle blows 2x as hard - blows my GF's hair back like the wind! The biggest complaint I have with the MINI is the vents are completely blocked by the steering wheel, and I have no direct airflow from the AC - TERRIBLE placement. I hope they fix that with the next generation. That engineer should be fired.

 

Doesn't the MINI also tout "Draft-free ventilation?" I've seen it in my manual, and I think part of the perceived weakness is the fact that the air is swirled more creating a better distribution instead of a direct blast of hitting you. Combine that with the indirect air vent and you have the perceived weakness I mention.

My '04 blows plenty cold, and works fine, but I have to get out of the mode that makes me think it needs to hit my body directly to cool me, rather than make the whole cabin cooler.

 

Ditto the recirculation idea mentioned previously, only wait a minute or so for the a/c to cool down before hitting the recirc button. It really will help.

 

I've been thinking that mine is pretty weak as well. I have no issues with the volume of air coming out, just that when i put my hand directly in front of the vent it doesnt seem to be as cold as other cars I've had. For reference my last three cars have been '03 audi A4, 94 mustang, '98 Volvo S70. Granted they all have significantly larger engines and so probably have larger compressors capable of greater cooling but im used to having A/C cold enough to freeze (well almost) sweat built up after being out in SE michigan in the summer.

 

Summer arrived here last weekend with temps in the 90s. Used my AC for the first time and was pleasantly surprised by how fast the VERY cold air was produced. Those with weak air might want to have them checked out.

 

I definitely agree that the fan doesn't blow as hard as other cars, but then the cabin of a MINI really isn't that huge. I find there's several things about MINIs for which one has to allow some time to adapt. Our expectations are set by our previous vehicles...MINIs are a tad bit different in certain respects.

MINI AC is weak by American standards, but imo it does the job. The controls take some getting used to. I'm going on my third Texas summer...it's already in the mid-90s here. I park out in the sun all day. The AC unit does it's job, but I have to use it properly.

First, I crack the windows a bit...then I crank the AC on recirculate. After about 3-4 minutes, I turn off recirculate and can generally turn the fan down. Pretty standard stuff...or maybe I've just grown accustomed to it or adjusted my expectations.

The complaint of a weak AC unit is nothing new, so you're absolutely right to bring it up. But give it time and work with it. I never really think about it now.

 

I have noticed that the more you run the A/C the better it works.

Don't know if there is any scientific reason but it's true. Try keeping it on all the time and I'm sure you will find it gets very cold. My first MCS in Florida was the same until I never switched it off then it would blow eskimo style during summer. I could leave the car at idle with the windows up and it would cool it down in a matter of a couple minutes.

Also if you drive the car hard, your compressor automatically disengages to give the additional power you are asking. Try nursing the car and drive easy it will really get cold.

Kesh

 

It's not rocket science that air blowing over you cools you quicker...I feel AND actually cool quicker in other cars where I have an airstream hitting my head.

 

That's very interesting! I hadn't heard that recommendation before. I almost never use mine, so maybe that's part of why it sucks.

Either that, or some MINIs just get bum systems that need fixing at the dealer. Mine is really weak; even with just me in the car, it can't keep up on a day that's 85 and humid - forget about the higher temps. Even if I leave it on recirc, it never gets the car down to a temp where I won't break a sweat if I have do something strenuous like look for toll change.

I have a dealer appt on Monday, so it's on their list.

 

Good Luck at the dealer. Let us know the outcome.

Have them check your power shut off threshold. You should be able to leave the car at idle and it cools down to the recc. temp.

Also have your software updated, this was an issue in older Mini's that was addressed by a software update for the shut down threshold.

Just a thought.

Kesh

 

It will also depend on how fast you drive. My cavalier (still saving up for a MINI, but still love that EcoTec) will frezze you out on max AC running at 70mph (you go slower than that on I10, you have a death wish ).

The faster you go, the more air will flow over the compessor coil and the more effective your AC will be.

 

mine runs okay, just isnt cold at all even on full blast... i wonder if anyone has done a full swap of the a/c system from a japanese or american car...

my bigger concern is that my engine seems to lose 100hp every time i turn on the a/c... the engine takes 2 more seconds to respond so i have to blip the throttle deeper to make sure it goes to the next cog.. even upshift makes me nervous because i cant just shift like normal...

 

I didn't realise how weak the MCS's A/C was until I took a Subaru Legacy GT for a spin last summer. Gale force cooling in that car! I was amazed at the Subie's power (and more than a little disappointed in the MINI's) when it came to climate control.

 

I think MINI addressed the problem of "Sapping power" when turning on the A/C, at least for the 2005s.

 

Nope.

 

This might sound obvious, but I've known a few people with BMW's who didn't realize they weren't actually using the A/C.

If you have the Auto A/C, even if you set a temperature really low, the A/C doesn't actually get turned on unless you hit the A/C button. So a ton of air might be coming out, but all you are using is the fan.

 

I bet it wasn't the engineers fault. I'll bet $20.00 it was the interior designer who said the vents go here for aesthetic reasons. The engineer had to do the best with what he was given.

 

My A/C works fine, not that I use it much. More of a windows down kind of guy. I do however use the vents all the time,and the air hits me on the chest, flowing over my hands on the steering wheel.

When I do use the A/C,its mostly to cool the cabin at start-up, windows cracked open.

I drive with a window down a bit, even in the winter, once the cabin has warmed up, this works great for keeping my hands warm with the vents pointed this way.

 

Subaru's have HUGE ac units. We have a Legacy in our fleet that will freaze you out just standing still.

 

Temps here in NW Indiana have been in the high 80's/low 90's all week, humidity high. We have the Auto AC in our 2005 MCS, and I do not feel it is weak at all. And we do have the sun beating down through the sunroof. Granted, the windows are tinted, but the strength and temperature of the air from the vents has been more than sufficient to cool the car quickly. If yours is under-performing I would definitely mention it on your next service stop.

A_Sr.