[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by dakini (original)

oy.

actually, i suspect it's that there are some people who actually don't use it very often. not everyone wants it, or needs it. so it's not standard. why make people pay for something they won't use?

The vast majority of MINIs have aircon specified anyway, and apart from that, they could probably add aircon for less than they sell it us for. I agree that most people don't actually use aircon that much - I don't but luckily it was standard on mine.

To be honest the excuse that not everyone wants it is pretty weak - not everyone wants electric mirrors, but they are standard. How often do you adjust your mirrors really - once usually! BMW make enough on MINIs to add aircon as standard and still make a profit - its just greed!

[ben__allen]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

. How often do you adjust your mirrors really - once usually! !

I am always messing with mine, especially when reversing in to spaces/the drive, so that I don't hit the kerb, or go over the edge in to the garden!

I also have electrically folding mirrors (probs an extravagance, but keep my hands clean when I have to park out on the road, or in a tight space!) and sometiems they move the mirror glass, so I need to readjust then!

I do agree, BMW/MINI options prices are stupid: my mate has just got a 120d SE, and I was wondering where the cruise control was. It is apparently a £200 option - stupid, when the MFSW on a MINI includes it.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

they could probably add aircon for less than they sell it us for.

They probably could, but why should they?

The only reason they produce cars is to make money. Making something most people want an option makes them more money.

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

BMW make enough on MINIs to add aircon as standard and still make a profit - its just greed!

Using that logic all profit is greed

How much do you suggest they make? How much wouldn't be greed?

[dakini]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

How often do you adjust your mirrors really - once usually!

if you have more than one driver in the family, you're probably adjusting them every time you get in the car.

seats and mirrors get adjusted every time i wasn't the last driver.

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

They probably could, but why should they?

The only reason they produce cars is to make money. Making something most people want an option makes them more money.


Using that logic all profit is greed

No, but I bet that they make a hell of a lot more profit than anyone else - £11525 for an entry level MINI... I'm not saying that they should offer aircon for less, I was responding to the fact that it would bump up prices - if ALL MINIs had aircon, economies of scale would kick in and the system would become cheaper as BMW would buy more.

I know it makes them money. I was saying that they do it for that purpose because they know that most people want it.

Not all profit is greed, however, when you are spending that sort of money on a car of that size, you should get aircon as standard. Imagine how much profit is made on each MINI!

[ayde_bury]

I have air con in my convertible, and it's lovely to have cool feet whilst driving on a really hot day with the roof down.

Also as others have mentioned, motorway driving is really a roof up experience, and air con is more pleasant than having the windows down, or sunroof option open - both of which are far too noisy.

[crofty136]

just going back to the original question but from a different point of view, i think you should consider resale value

A few months back i went to test drive a 1 series and the first thing he said when i told him i had a mini one to trade in was 'has it got air conditioning?' it's obviously an important option in their eyes. I'm not sure how the value would have changed without aircon but i know when my stepdad traded in his mini back in 2006 they said they could have offered him more if it had aircon

Its also useful if you have hayfever and so on because it seems to offer better filtration. I wouldnt have a car without it now

Richard