Cold Weather Climate usefulness

[Diesel Guy]

It's time for BMW and others to move to a 24 volt system. With all the electronics on board, the 12 volt system is inadequate.

A home built 40 years ago likely had a 60 amp service......today a 200 amp panel is probably standard.

[spacey]

Yea good point about the local weather. Well... I live in northern VA / D.C. area. So for the most part its not really that cold. The winters do get nasty but not Minnesota/Michigan/upstate NY nasty by any means. There is usually relatively short ~3/4 months of "bad" wheather w/~1 month of total snow. Nastiness is for the most part related to generally high humidity in the area and sub freezing temps forming a 1 to 3 inch ice layer on things for a few days to a week every year. And then just overal sloshiness/cold&wet for the rest of the time. It does get down to say 10's for a few days but that's about it. Certainly nothing in comparison w/Toronto where I spent couple of years few years back.

As far as actual usefulness I could possibly see the washers when salt/dirt/roadspray get on the headlamps during the sloshy weeks/months beause I did find myslef cleaning off the headlamps repeatedly in the past.

The steering wheel thing I could see beeing addictive... actually its been unseasonably cold here last few days w/rain and just plain unpleasantness so when I got into the car yesterday I did feel the steering wheel colder than usual and I suppose I could have flipped on the heater ... had I had one... now that I was aware of the "problem" LOL..

Another issue that's been rolling arount through my head is that my wife doesn't generally like bells and whistles ... For example, she won't use heated seats no matter how cold it is. I've suggested numerous times when it was bone freezing out and darn cold in the car but she's never wanted to use them once. She tried once after I insisted and turned them off saying she doesn't like it!!! That one I completely do not get, but then again that's just a tiny insignifican little part of her lovely self I do not get so I've just relegated it to - oh well, I guess it's one of those "things" ... So I am really not sure what she'd do if I suggested turning on the steering wheel heater... OR ... for all I know... I sure as hell can't ask her now though LOL ...

spacey

[spacey]

About the electrical system... hmmm... sounds like a recall in waiting to me at some point... what's the std battery capacity on the X35d? Its either too small of a battery or problems w/alternator and/or very varied electrical system usage which can kill a battery. I've done that w/my 528 several times. I have a custom sound system w/1.5kW RMS power and sometimes like to "punch it" ... I've gone through about 3 batteries over the past ~5 years. It could also be something just draining the battery while the engine's off - again need a larger battery or the system (car) needs to make sure all is OFF when the engine is not turning.

Good thing I still have a BMW Battery Tender I had my bike hooked up to when parked and un-ridden for years

spacey

[Paydirtdog]

I just live a few clicks north of you in Maryland. The heated wheel is nice since I rarely wear gloves and the heated seats are a must as far as I'm concerned. The wheel does heat up fast as someone else pointed out. The headlight washers and ski bag, which are part of that package, are two things I've never used.

[spacey]

I think I am going to takea the more sane/down to earth way out of this... I am going to pass on the CWP. Will just stick w/the heated seats, which I agree are a must. I can see where the headlamp washers could actually be a pain most of the year if they can't be turned off, other than having some wire disconnected somewhere. The only time they'd be useful is about 1-2 months a year. Which leaves heated steering wheel... well... I could I guess see it being something you "like" once you start using it... but, I haven't used it yet, so I don't know what I am missing, I won't get shot at when my wife finds out how much I paid for that and honestly might as well take the $700,- and pay for a hitch, part of a RES for my littlest passenger or a kick butt pricess dress for her . Her 4th christmas is coming up soon...

The ski bag... I've had that in my 528... don't even know where it is any more. Took it out about 6 months after I got the car and never ever even thought about using it.

Thanks everyone for the advice/opinions/time to share experiences

spacey

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by spacey

Will just stick w/the heated seats, which I agree are a must. I can see where the headlamp washers could actually be a pain most of the year if they can't be turned off, other than having some wire disconnected somewhere.

That's what I did. I think the cost effectiveness of the Cold Weather package depends a lot on whether or not you have any use for heated rear seats, since that accounts for most of the cost differential between Heated Front Seats and Cold Weather Package.

If BMW still offered the heated steering wheel as a separate option for $150 as they use to, I would have ordered it. But since I have no use at all for rear heated seats, that extra $700 seemed to steep for me to get a heated steering wheel and headlight washers, which some people have complained mess their hood up unnecessarily at times.

[MINIz guy]

I think heated seats are a must, but since I don't drive, I can't comment on a heated steering wheel. The headlight washers are a "cool" feature but haven't served a purpose to my parents yet. We've also had a failure to the pump for the headlight washers, and it wasn't that cheap to fix! The ski bag is just unnecessary, I wish BMW would just add that as a stand-alone option and make the Cold Weather Package cheaper.

Right now, NJ mornings have been around 35 degrees. We've been parking our 3 series outside, which has the Cold Weather Package and I really like the heated seats option as I'm nice and toasty after a minute and stay that way to school. Our X5 is parked in the garage where it is closer to 45 degrees, yet without the Cold Weather Package, I'm shivering for a good 5 minutes before the heat kicks in. By that time...I'm almost at school!

[AzNMpower32]

The heated steering wheel sounds so stupid until you try it. It's actually kind of nice.

I personally don't care for heated seats. And the headlamp washers are okay...........some folks might diss them but they're required in Europe in conjunction with xenons to reduce glare to oncoming drivers due to muck on the headlight lens.

[Ag4.8]

If you have the heated wheel you'll love it. I had it on my 4.8is and my 4.8. It is very nice on chilly days. You will end up using it more than you think. The heated seats are nice too, but I use them just a little. The kids like the heated seats in the back.

[jaaX3]

You can keep the headlight washers from coming on if you have the headlight switch in the off position (not on or auto).