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Here's some news from Ian Cull regarding a minor change to the MINIs climate control:
“Apparently the newest auto a/c have changed the buttons and removed the “OFF” switch! You can see the pics here (via MINI2 forums)
I think the benefits of proper “up” / “face” / “down” air flow controls outweigh the loss of the “OFF” button, but it is interesting anyway.”
From my understanding these changes were meant solely for the 2005 model year. Looks like the model year parts change over as happened early in terms of the climate control interface.
<p>My car is a April 2004 build and I still have the off button. I would guess, however, that there is some way around it, like maybe hitting the auto button twice or holding it down. I don't understand why this change would be an improvement as you can just hit the upper flow and lower flow buttons to get the air out straight ahead.</p>
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<p>I'm still disapointed that there's no 'off' for the manual controls. Is it just me, or is there no real way to block the airflow?</p>
<p>I guess the Off button is not all that important for typical uses. Most of the time people would want some sort of ventilation to be on whether AC is on or not. Typically, people switches the AC on or off, then make few adjustments to the airflow.</p>
<p>Personally, I think the automatic climate control is too complicated to use — there are simply too many buttons for me to fiddle around with while driving. I've always had to search for the right button before pressing it to do what I want it to do. </p>
<p>That is the reason why I specifically requested to have the manual climate control on my car. There are no buttons to pick and choose — just the simple three knobs to adjust temperature, fan speed and air flow. Sure, I lose the convenience of having automatic temperature control, but it's simple to make those minor adjustments to compensate.</p>
<p>You can block airflow in the manual system by pressing the “recirculate” button with the fan off. It closes off the vents that normally flow air when the vehicle is in motion, even with the fan off.</p>
<p>Yeah, another vote for manual A/C controls which I have in both of my MINIs. They work great, look great and don't have a “mind of thier own”.</p>
<p>Actually, the 3 circular knobs do complement the interior design so much better.</p>
<p>To interrupt air flow, just press (Make sure it goes lit) the “Recirc” button. This will close the outside air vents and block air from entering the cabin, even with the fan off.</p>
<p>I have the the auto climate control option on my MCS and find it quite wonderful on long trips. Around town I use the manual settings, oh and thanks for the tip on cutting off the outside air with the recycle mode. Someday i'll have to read the manual…R</p>
<p>I was a manual A/C guy for years until my MINI actually. I always preferred the simplicity of the manual controls but the “set it and forget it” mentality that you learn quickly with the auto A/C finally made me a convert.</p>
<p>A few months ago, I had a brand new and loaded '04 Cooper CVT service loaner. The car had NAV and the automatic A/C. I found the auto A/C functionality to be pretty annoying and I had to fiddle with it too much (Defeating its purpose) to get it to the right temperature and fan speed. Without a doubt it is a cool gadget but pretty unimpressive for a $300 auto climate system. Besides in a car the size of the MINI, why would anyone “need” auto A/C?</p>
<p>The only car I have owned with auto A/C was a '97 Acura 2.5TL and that systems was pretty good compared to the annoying “Mind of its own” system in the MINI.</p>
<p>Actually, the irony of it all is that I have found the nature of the MINI manual A/C controls to pretty much conform to the “Set it and forget it” methodology. All I have to set is the fan/temp setting in a couple of quick flicks of the dials and I am good to go. Never fails.</p>
<p>I've had auto climate control (ACC) in my two cars prior to the MINI, and manual climate control in the MINI. I don't miss the ACC at all. A simple temp and fan adjustment, and I'm done. The last two ACCs were – ahem – temperamental.
For example, during the winter I'd have to set the temp a couple degrees (F) lower than my target temp, and during the summer I'd have to set the temp about three degrees higher than my target temp. During the spring and fall seasons, I was adjusting all the time, negating the need for an “automatic” climate control. This was not in a MINI, however. This annoyance happened in a '99 Z3 and an '00 Acura TL.</p>
<p>I find the ACC in the mini works pretty well. We also have it in our Infiniti G35 coupe and Acura MDX where it is just a hassal and never seems to get it right. Our Lexus GS has the best ACC and sound system by far, but the Mini comes next. We have manual control in the Jetta and it gets annoying, especially if the windows fog up.</p>
<p>Hey Josh, you must have one heck of a big garage to fit all those 5 cars. ;)</p>
<p>From a design standpoint, the ACC plays off of the MINI / wings logo…but I rarely used auto, the fan noise was insane.</p>
<p>Ahh.. I always forget to do the rec. trick. It's just kinda sad that my wife's 10 year old Chevy Cavalier has an 'off' function, and my new(ish) MINI doesn't…</p>
<p>I had the auto a/c in my 2002 cooper. I thought it was pretty cool till I realized I had to fool with it just as much as a manual system. It is rare that I can leave it set at a single temperature and not have to change it after a period of time. Which makes it just like a manual system.</p>
<p>I've got the auto-AC unit also, but rarely use it. I prefer the Manual AC unit – Windows down and sunroof open!</p>
<p>oh yeah – Windows down sunroof open is my usual mode. Along with my climate control set to 68 (AC turned off of course).</p>
<p>The auto climate control in my 2004 MCS works fine if you leave it set and don't want to turn the A/C off. However, when it's nice and cool outside, and I don't want the A/C compressor sucking engine power, it's more hassle than it's worth. Every time you take it off auto, you have to remember to turn down the temp to MIN to get it to close off the heater vents, and then turn the system off. Otherwise warm air will continue to come out. I wish the system closed down the heater vents when you switched the system off…</p>
<p>I must admit, although I love gadgets, I'd think twice about ordering the climate control again…</p>
<p>-James.</p>
<p>I did “think twice” as James said; my first MINI had the auto a/c and my current one has the much easier-to-use manual controls.
However, changes like this new one to give a proper “up” airflow switch, and last years change so it does not blow till the engine is warm when you need heat, make me consider switching back “when” I get my next MINI ;)</p>
<p>3 in the garage, 2 around the side–2 are my dads, 1 my moms, 1 my sis, and then mine</p>
<p>What are the chances that a Getrag transmission ended up in my new '04 cooper. :)</p>
<p>Wishful thinking, and a lot of kidding.</p>
<p>I've got manual controls, and after using them for a while, I actually like the look and feel of them. The auto climate controls in most cars bugged me because of their use of the a/c whenever they felt they needed to. The manual controls are just fine.</p>
<p>I</p>
<p>I have the mini copers convertable on a 54 plate which is the newer version when i have the hood down and want the blowers on most of the warm air comes through the middle vent on the dash board and you cannot turn this off but if you put your hand over it the air flow on the other vents that you need comesout really powerfull !! can anyone please help me to rectify this many thanks</p>