I get the feeling that maybe it was done on purpose so that the compressor is never running at zero volume, maybe to avoid having it get stuck at that position. The geometry is probably such that it needs the most force to move it from zero and that would explain why sometimes people are able to get it working (when stuck) by revving the engine.

My original compressor was stuck at full volume.
I actually did buy a replacement control valve to replace on the original compressor and put that back in but never got around to it and gets more unlikely as time goes on.

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1988 325is (purchased new) sold
2004 X5 3.0 2005 X3 2.5
2008 X5 3.0 (new to me)