DSC and auto air con

1307 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Mike Edwards, Dec 6, 2004

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2004

First of all - hello everyone! This is one busy board!

We ordered our Hyper blue MCS a few days ago, and just wanted to ask a couple of things. We have currently specced the auto air con, but having talked to some bmw owners at work (presumably a similar system) they aren't that impressed. Is it worth the extra cash?

We haven't currently specced DSC. Totally forgot about it while we were there. Can't decide whether or not to add it on now. Any opinions to help me decide greatly appreciated.

Just to keep up with the other posts, here is our spec:

MCS
Hyper blue all over (incl dash)
Chilli pack with LSD
Black half leather
17" 5 spoke bullets
Chrome line interior
Anthracite headlining
PDC
Cd player + boost
MFSW

I think thats it. Viper stripes (or cooper flags racing stripe) and possibly spotlights to be added after.

Roll on february.

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yorkshire-sam

· #2 · Dec 1, 2004

I was undecided on DSC so did a simple poll and found that almost 90% of the people on this forum have it so I specd it on mine as well. I suppose it's worth having for the peace of mind as who knows when it may kick in and help you out of a tricky situation.

I have also gone for the auto air con as my girlfriend has a one and i have to keep adjusting the temperature as it gets too hot too soon.

Nice spec and enjoy the wait...

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francisk

· #3 · Dec 1, 2004

mmmmdonuts said:
..... but having talked to some bmw owners at work (presumably a similar system) they aren't that impressed. Is it worth the extra cash?

I totally disagree their comment. I really like my 325CI HVAC. I really get used to it, when I hop in my WRX (don't have the auto air con), I need to adjust the heater all the time. It is alway too cold when start up, and too hot when you drive about 10 min, and always bother me to enjoy my drive. Also the HVAC used by BMW always keep feet a few degree hotter, which make you feel much more comfortable in the winter.

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lukebuzzy

· #4 · Dec 1, 2004

I love having the DSC. I've been sliding round corners in the rain on purpose to make it come on so I could test it and I can say that it will pretty much keep you going in the right direction. It's nice having the extra piece of mind.

I didn't get Auto A/C on mine, I kinda regret it because I'm always fiddling with the climate controls to get comfortable. I didn't order it at the time because I'd not heard great things about it. I wish I actually spent more time at the dealer playing with it to see how it would actually work.

The other cool thing about the auto AC is that the buttons make the mini logo.

Luke

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razorbackmini

· #5 · Dec 1, 2004

Congratulations on the specs. I have all of the things you ordered (except I have the White top) plus the DSC and Auto AC. DSC and all safety features are a must. Auto AC is very convenient and has worked very well in the Summer and is working equally well now that the temperatures are falling in Razorback Land.

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Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 2, 2004

looks like we are going to have to add DSC as well then. It's only money...

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oGGy

· #7 · Dec 2, 2004

mmmmdonuts said:
looks like we are going to have to add DSC as well then. It's only money...

My sentiments exactly - added DSC two days ago

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Grimbo

· #8 · Dec 3, 2004

Seconded! I added it a couple of weeks back

Also got the auto aircon. My Golf's got a similar thing, 'Climatronic' Absolutely superb, wouldn't want to be without it as its properly 'set and forget' most of the time.
18 in the summer and 24 in the winter.. plus the occasional blast of the demister, then back to AUTO again!

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-Nathan

· #9 · Dec 3, 2004

I strongly recommend DSC but personally I don't like automatic climate control. I have it in my BMW 330 and I find it annoying because 1) The blower fan always comes on when you start the car, which means that unless you turn it off it will blow cold air on you in the winter until the engine warms up. 2) It is easier to turn a knob to turn off the blower fan than to press a button 6 or 7 times. 3) You can't set it to just blow outside air for ventilation without setting a temp higher than 59 degrees. Sometimes when it's cold outside but sunny I like it to blow outside air in the car, especially when I am wearing a coat. I can't do that in my BMW. So instead I just open a window. The bottom line is that automatic climate control is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist and just adds unnecessary cost and complexity.

-Nathan

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francisk

· #10 · Dec 3, 2004

-Nathan said:
....1) The blower fan always comes on when you start the car, which means that unless you turn it off it will blow cold air on you in the winter until the engine warms up. ....

My 2002 325Ci don't do a full blow when the car not warm up, it didn't chill me out. So I don't experience what you said. However my WRX which don't have HVAC (auto air) that will blow cold air when I start it up, becuase I left the fan to my last setting. So I need to turn it off every time when I jump into the car in winter. So far I have very good experience with those auto air.

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Chris Williams

· #11 · Dec 6, 2004

Not particularly helpful comment but from a pure looks point of view the Auto AC looks far better than the manual. I have enjoyed having the auto over the manual my experience of cars with manual is that you either have a boiling hot car or a freezing cold car, the auto seems to give you that happy medium, its easy to use and can be maunally overriden.

Regards
Christopher

as for the DSC I am one of the few (awaiting) Cooper S owners who has not opted for the DSC, I've just found it far too intrusive when driving a demo with it on.

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Mike Edwards

· #12 · Dec 6, 2004

Based on driving cars with and without automatic aircon (but not Mini's) the set temperature in an automatic set up bears only a passing relationship to the apparent temperature in the car (a sunny day will make it feel hotter, while an overcast day will make it feel cooler), leading to adjustments of the set temperature to get comfortable.

If the aircon isn't automatic you turn the temperature knob to cold when you 1st get in, then to a warmer setting once it's feeling comfortable. In the case of the weather conditions mentioned above, you make exactly the same adjustments - its just that on automatics you set a temperature while on manuals you set the control knob in a particular direction.

How then is the digital temperature display worth an extra £500???

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