This thread is probably only going to be of interest to Andrew and I but not wanting to derail X5M-ISH's thread (lol further) figured I'd start this one. Disclaimer: this flies in the face of the scientific method and calling it an "experiment" is probably being very generous.
Okay, so on the school run this morning I figured I'd run test the heat on our E61 530xi because I was sure it could hit really uncomfortable cabin temps if desired. Spoiler, it can. This car has had a cooling system overhaul in the last 3000 miles. Water pump, thermostat, all hoses, etc. The total school run is ~45 minutes most days. Today's ambient air was 43F and interior cabin temp when I started the car was 44F. I do not use auto climate. Never have.
Climate settings:
- Recirc (on)
- Temp dials on both sides (full hot, 85F I think is max)
- Vent distribution (top 25%, dash 50%, footwell 100%)
- Blower motor fan speed (50%)
- Rear climate full open and full heat
So that sets the "mood" for the experiment. After the car engine warmed up I turned the system on (about 10min into the trip). Car started to warm up, glass started to fog so I had to use the defroster 3 times with short blasts of about a minute. Had to use the rear defroster once for a few minutes.
After the system had been on for about 5 minutes I started taking temps at stop lights and then when I got to the school drop off (~30 minutes in). I called the experiment after dropping my daughter off because I was starting to sweat. Below are
SURFACE temps of different areas around the car. I had the dash vents pointed as upwards as possible as the air coming out was uncomfortable (very). These temperatures would have kept climbing if I could have done the experiment in my skivvies. But in the interest of not going to jail, I went in a pair of light sweats, Tshirt, and hoodie so I had to call it off as I couldn't take anymore. My daughter was like a pig in sh^t and loved it.
149F - Center dash vents
139F - Driver dash vent
130F - Passenger dash vent
109F - Front of headliner where overhead console is
92F - Front pano roof sunshade
83F - Rear pano roof sunshade
98F - Front passenger floorboard
88F - Front passenger seat
90F - Rear bottom bench seat in front of climate controls
86F - Rear backrest of back seat in middle
I don't know what max temps can be reached/sustained in auto climate mode. If I had the blower higher maybe the temps would have risen faster?
But, this has been my experience with all the BMW's I've owned. They can put out some heat.