Auxiliary Heating

[X5-UK]

Hi folks,

Okay, Scotland can be pretty cold...we even have some ski resorts (well on a good day). So, to be able to heat up the passenger cabin of a muscular X5 before you venture out into the cold seems a good idea...right?

Now, as I understand it, the auxilary heating (operated by remote control from the comfort of your lounge [USA lounge=family room]) doesn't actually start the engine but instead starts a water-based heater which is supplied with energy from the car's fuel system. The heat is generated by burning a fuel/air mixture in a small combustion chamber, the engine coolant being heated by a built-in heat exchanger. A separate electrical water pump then circulates the coolant independently of the engine coolant pump. It operates for a maximum period of 30 minutes, and the water temperature in the small heater circuit is kept at 70-85 degrees centigrade, regardless of the heat drawn from the system.

Question:
So how the hell does it heat the passenger cabin...or does it not do that?

[King]

The AUX heating is not an easy install. Do you have the install instructions? You have to (1)relocate the current heating control unit, (2)install a new wiring harness to the rear of the vehicle (which entails removing the rear seat etc., (3)Tap into the fuel lines underneath the vehicle, (4)Install a new exhaust pipe for ventilating the AUX system (5)Convert your vehicle's entire cooling system hoses (6) Tie into the water pump system (7)Install the new heating system (8)Program your remote which is part of the kit. The dealer install time is approx 7.5 hrs!

There is also a 'Thermo call' system which I like. You can simply call your vehicle from a cell phone and have it start the AUX heating! How cool is that when you're farther than the usual 500ft 'remote start' range??

I would recommend getting a remote start system over the aux heating option! Start your engine from up to a 1000ft away and warm up the inside at the same time. I have heard that you have to by pass the vehicle's security system using the valey key to install the remote start...which is why I didn't bother. I'm sure there are others on the board who have it installed and can better guide you.

[X5-UK]

Thanks for the info. Should have said I am trying to decide if it's worth going for factory fitted...so thanks for the info, cause that definetly rules out retro-fit.

Interested in your idea of remote start (although that is illegal in the UK) I'll check out some options on that.

Again, thanks for taking the time to explain how 'scary' retro-fit could be.

Cheers Mate!

[BigMac]

Hi

I have aux heating in the wifes X5 and it is blo*dy brilliant.

The system uses a Webasto styel diesel heater to warm air into the cabin. The system is actaulkly a bi-product of the heater it also uses to warm diesel fuel when the temperature drops too low.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by X5-UK

Hi folks,

Okay, Scotland can be pretty cold...we even have some ski resorts (well on a good day). So, to be able to heat up the passenger cabin of a muscular X5 before you venture out into the cold seems a good idea...right?

I'm scottish too by the way, but live down in the sunny south

I'm just speccing another X5 after BMW agreed to replace mine and I've not chosen the AUX Heating, mainly because I've use my X5s on twice yearly ski-trips and never found the need for it, despite driving around in minus 16 degrees C. For me, as long as I've got heated seats the main heater warms up within a mile or two and I'm perfectly warm enough. The heated steering wheel option would probably be of more benefit but I've got to draw the line somewhere.

£1000 is a lot to pay for something that may only be useful on rare occasions and then only for the first 10-15 minutes when the car is first driven. I'd pass.

[X5-UK]

BigMac and Steved - thanks for the info guys. I have a week or two to decide yet...quite agree it's a lot (especially as I've gone OTT on the other options)...but may still go for it as it's been confirmed it does heat both the passenger cabin and 'engine block'...but really do like the remote start option!

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by X5-UK

BigMac and Steved - thanks for the info guys. I have a week or two to decide yet...quite agree it's a lot (especially as I've gone OTT on the other options)...but may still go for it as it's been confirmed it does heat both the passenger cabin and 'engine block'...but really do like the remote start option!

Hey X5-UK - I really like the idea of the OEM aux heater and probably would have sprung for it if it was offered in the US. As for the remote starter idea, I understand they have some really sophisticated (& expensive) ones out now and also agree that it sounds like a great alternative to the aux system. However, the BMW manual says not to start your X5 and let it idle for very long when it's cold - they say to start and drive off immediately. I've read several comments on the board about this and from that I gather that the consensus is you shouldn't let it idle cold because the engine and oil circulation will not be optimal in this no-load scenario. My interpretation of that is BMW makes this statement more for legal reasons more than any potential engine/tranny damage. I just can't imagine that these BMW systems wouldn't handle an extended cold idle condition just fine - seems like basic minimum reliability/quality/performance criteria to me. Having said that, I've had basic long-range (~1000 ft) remote starters in my last 2 vehicles (both late 90's Chevy Tahoes) and I absolutely loved them - both for pre-heating in winter and pre-cooling in summer. I've put many miles on both vehicles with absolutely no apparent ill-effects (except for the 350ci engine drinking the fuel) as a result of the remote starters. I guess Chevy figured out how to make their engines idle without any problems. So, sorry for the long story but I figured you may be able to benefit from my research and experience. My question to the rest of this phenomenal X5 community is "what do you guys think about a remote starter & BMW's recommendation not to use them"? Perhaps a topic for a new thread discussion... Good luck and let us know what you end up doing to resolve your desire for another or life's luxuries!

[infobuster]

Hi there, i've just got my first X5 and over all i'm really pleased, however just got a couple of que's that i hope someone can help with regarding the AUX heating

i bought my x5 second hand, i know it has AUX heating factory fitted from new but there is no remote control for it, is it possible to just go to BMW and get a new one ??

and am i right in thinking that there is an exhaust blower for the AUX heating that blows out from near the passenger wheel arch or is this part of a more serious problem like my exhaust blowing??

many thanks

[Trev.G]

Hi, If you have the diesel the webasto pre heater is already fitted, just get yourself a telestart t80/t90 kit (remote fob,transmitter,antenna) connect to the spare connection on the harness, thats it activate via the remote for up to 30 minutes pre heated engine, interior and windscreen,(normal heater fan is activated) or check out x5driver.co.uk, how to's, enabling parking heater, for the cheaper option..

[infobuster]

cheers for the info Trev.G i think i'll definatly get one of those kits