Not that I would ever complain about my MINI, but in the recent COLD spell in the Chicago area lately with temperatures about 14F during the day, I have noticed that it takes a awful long time for the heat to kick in compared to my other cars. I drive 20 minutes to school in the morning and the car does not get warm until over half way there. It doesn’t get hot to the point of turning the heat down until I get there.

My other cars have been “American” makes (Ford, Mercury with Mazda engine, a Dodge badged Mitsubishi) and had no problem at all getting warm, heat arrived in mere minutes, toasty warm by the end of the drive.

What are the other opinions on the heating performance?

 

My heater is ....as hot as the sun.

I start my MCS every AM, and let it warm up w/ the temp initially set at 72...
5 minutes max...it's hot & ready to rock.
I then lower the setting to 66, with no fan
I can't drive any distance with the setting higher than 66, as it's just too hot in the car.

Peace,
D

 

I too think the heater works VERY well. It's been right around zero out here in MA for the past week or two, and my MCS is toasty inside after about 3 - 5 minutes. I keep the auto climate control set at 64 (and actually don't use "auto" but instead have air directed out of the console and floor outlets).

Have you checked your coolant level and tank lately? Maybe you have a leaky tank and are way low on coolant...that could possibly result in slow heat. Leaky tanks are an epidemic on 2002 S models (can't tell from your pic what you have).

 

Hey, I live in Minneapolis. We have also had the cold weather lately (15 for highs the last week or so) My MINI has great heat. I have to turn it down sometimes to 66 or 64 to stay comfortable. I would take it in and get it checked out, it sounds like there is a problem.

 

Have it checked out when you go in for your next service. My MCS heats FASTER than any of the 15+ cars and trucks I have owned. I love the auto climate control also. I did not really want it but it came with the Premium package. I am glad I have it!

 

My head is so-so..I have the auto heat but find it does not work too well,, To be be far I have driven Hondas for years (27"..)and withHondas that I have owned you were getting luke warm air at thend of theblock, but mycommute is 23 highway miles and if starting out "cold", to not waste gas it takes 10 or so miles to get any real heat and I have it set on HIGH (above 84 degrees) and with 3/4 fan,,( The crazy defrost controls r dumb MINIUSA,,put defrost on and blows a tornato of air (cant hear the radio over the fan,,and you would think that gee press the - button to lower fan Right!,,NO as most know you r going down the road trying to hold the defrost buttom til it stops "blinking to lower fan because if u hit the - button like you do to ALL the other cars on the road,,the defrost goes OFF,,and kicks over to the floor vent heater!!..(Mini neds to go back and find out how "signed off" on that set up..Actually all kidding aside could be a "safety issue as it knocks the defrost off and you have fiddle around with small controls as you r drivng to "hold down" the defrost button,,Not Good. Also the floor only heat setting results in a lot of noise but very little blower force of heat IMO..Glad I am not in a dress with bare legs and open shoes with this set up,,I am going to have the delaer check it out but when they "allow the free oil change" it will be June! and they will say "good heat" LOL..

 

I turned my air conditioner on yesterday (it was 80 degrees here) and the heat came on. I turned the fan way up and the heat was stifling. So I thought, "What happens when I have a problem with my Mac?" So I switched off everything and then switched it back on and everything worked properly again. Just in case this happens to you.