ZRC Rear Climate Package question

[Price]

Is it just extra controls at the back, or there's a separate AC/heater unit also? In my current Land Rover there's actually a separate unit mounted at the rear which operates independently from the main front unit.

I'll probably order this option anyway just for the sheer looks , but still curious.

[jaaX3]

It makes your car have 4-zone climate control. There are also vents in the B-pillars.
If you get a 3rd row, it adds vents and air control for that row.

[Penguin]

I believe it's just extra controls, with an added blower for the rear vents.

But I believe you also get rear window tint and retractable shades as part of the package.

[omasou]

I do not have third row seat and cannot comment on the function of that row.

The option provides 4-zone climate control as specified above. iDrive allows you to lock out the rear control and/or allows you to control the rear temperature using the driver settings.

You can find the details of the system starting on page 112 of the User Manual, which you can download as a PDF on BMW's site.

[Texas5]

I'm pretty sure it's NOT a separate/additional cooling/heating system. In fact, I think it just pulls air from the front vents. In the summer, when my rear A/C fan is turned on, the front vent flow and cooling ability suffer horribly - takes forever to cool the front of the car, even on MAX. It's a design flaw for sure. Don't know if they've corrected it since the 2008MY.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Price

Is it just extra controls at the back, or there's a separate AC/heater unit also? In my current Land Rover there's actually a separate unit mounted at the rear which operates independently from the main front unit.

I'll probably order this option anyway just for the sheer looks , but still curious.

This describes it from the BMW intro Manual:


"IHKA with FKA Rear Automatic Air Conditioning System (4-zone)
The 4-zone air conditioning system consists of the IHKA control unit plus:
• Its own FKA control unit
• A separate rear blower
• Four additional outlet temperature sensors
• Air ducts in the B-pillars
• To separate PTC heating elements in the rear footwell air ducts
• Three additional actuator motors for air flap control at the heater/air conditioner
(IHKA with FKA, total of thirteen actuator motors)
This system makes it possible to make separate left/right temperature settings for the first
and second rows of seats, and also provides separate front/rear blower control. The rear
blower enhances the air to flow to the rear center console and the B-pillar ventilation air
outlets. The footwell ducts that deliver air to the second row of seat area can be switched
off completely or provided with additional heating by energizing the PTC heating elements."

[socalrancher]

If you plan on having riders regularly in the back seat....get this option. My last one I did not have the separate controls and heard my kids fighting all the time. Not a peep out of them since one like it hot and the other cold. The heat the comes from under the front seats is loved by my daughter (she's the one that likes it hot).

The sun screens on the rear windows are great and a big improvement over the prior version.

[jayjay_dee]

Originally Posted by Texas5

I'm pretty sure it's NOT a separate/additional cooling/heating system. In fact, I think it just pulls air from the front vents. In the summer, when my rear A/C fan is turned on, the front vent flow and cooling ability suffer horribly - takes forever to cool the front of the car, even on MAX. It's a design flaw for sure. Don't know if they've corrected it since the 2008MY.

I think B-Line (with his X5 ///M) has the same belief/observation as you, i just cant find that post so i can put the link here....

Post edited:
Found the link to B-Lines post

[Texas5]

Sounds like B-line's dealer confirmed what I was thinking about the shortcomings of the rear climate control setup/fan. He also mentions another climate control issue not related to the rear system - that is that the outboard front vents have much less airflow than the middle vents. I have to partially close the middle vents to balance it out.

To the OP, I'm not suggesting any of this is a reason not to get the ZRC. As others here have posted, there are plenty of useful benefits of the ZRC. But if you live in a hot climate, expect the overall climate control of the X5 to be disappointing as the rear system works at the expense of the front passengers.