It is fully automatic. I get 72 degrees automatically, or 19C in my case. Set it and forget it, all year round. Just put the thumb wheel in the neutral position after setting the auto temp.

But if you want 72 degrees to be held, and at the same time get cooler or warmer air on your face, you can do that to. It isn't any less automatic, unless you dial the thumb wheel to one extreme and set the auto temperature to the opposite extreme. The system can't cope with that, but that is what we call user error, not bad design.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue