E70 Air Conditioner
 

Hello. First time poster. We just took delivery of our X5 on Saturday and simply love it. I wanted to ask fellow owners on how their air conditioner performs in hot weather. Ours seems a little slow to cool the car to a comfortable level. My basic question is am I supposed to feel very cold air when putting my fingers to the vents, or is it supposed to be a more gradual cooling. Our X5 seems much slower to cool than our previous vehicles.

Thanks!

Have you had other BMW's? I've always found them slow to cool in all models. Try using recirculate and see if that helps.

This is our first BMW. I am in awe of this product. It makes our previous vehicles (MDX and RX350) seem silly.

I'm wondering the same thing .... I'm also a new owner of an X5 and I live in Arizona (its currently 115 degrees farenheit outside) and I have definitely noticed the x5 takes much much longer to cool the vehicle. I'm seeing that it takes a good 10 minutes of driving before its gets to a comfortable level. Is this truly what normal operation for an x5?

Make sure that you have the automatic programme set to 'Intensive', since the default setting is 'Normal'. You can wander into iDrive, or it pops up automatically when you push the Auto button on the climate control.

The cooling is gradual, of course. The X5 is a large car, and on hot days, you can open the windows for the first few minutes to let the hot air out faster after the car has been sitting in the parking lot. Utilise the convenience open button on the keyfob, and also program the Parked Car Ventilation whenever you will be parked for awhile. We did this on our 118i and it alleviated the heat a bit.

I'll tell y'all this: GM cars have frosty AC. In Munich and most of Western Europe, the heat there isn't as bad. Super frosty AC is an American car thing.

:xoutpost:
Check 2 things.
1. Are your individual vent settings set to max cool air. I believe you can check these in the settings menu by pressing down the iDrive controller while at the main menu.

2. Are you pressing the Auto button located in the driver's side temp wheel? Rotating the temp to 60 degrees for both front occupants AND pressing the Auto button until the fan sensitivity is set to HARD will provide max cooling. If you press the Auto button repeatedly you'll find the display will show that you are changing between SOFT MEDIUM and HARD (Display may say INTENSE).

If you have a rear climate, you also need to make sure the temp setting in the rear is what you want.

I first noticed that the A/C in my 2006 330i was not very effective, and it was bad in my 07' E70 and pretty bad in the 08' E70 too.

In general, new BMW A/C is not as strong, cold or even as say MBZ or most American cars. Porsche too has pretty weak A/C.

I think the problem is, once again, software related. Why should we have to worry about setting the Climate Control to Soft, Medium or Intensive? Why should we have to worry about adding little blue bars, or red bars in the climate 'fine tuning' i-Drive settings? Why not just have AUTO, plain AUTO setting for the climate controls with no sub-settings or fine tuning, like all other high end luxury cars? If you want to override the AUTO setting with stronger or weaker air flow, then (like always in the past) manually change the fan button.

Our 2004 X5 4.4i & 4.8is, the 2005 M3, both 2004 330cic, the 325i wagon and the Z8 all have strong, cold A/C. My last "new model" BMWs have all had bad A/C. Especially during hot weather, the cabin was never totally comfortable, and the Auto setting always provides too weak of a flow.

Deutsch100,
You complain A LOT.

I find the A/C in my X5 fine. I set the Automatic Vent Timer on very hot days and when I get into the car, the first thing I do is put the A/C on Max and roll down the windows to let all of the air out. I have never seen a problem with it.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

no complaints whatsoever. 07 4.8i

The keys are:
1. Use INTENSE SETTING when first getting in a hot X
2. Roll down your windows for a minute to exaust the hot air. I use the remote as I walk up to the vehicle and it automatically rolls down all the windows, buy the time I put the X in drive all the hot air is gone.
3. Be sure that you have all blue bars in idrive vent settings
4. I find if the rear air is on, the system takes longer to cool. If I dont have rear passangers, I use idrive to turn off rear air.

thanks for the advice ... i'm curious to hear from fellow Arizona x5 owners if they experienced the same thing ...

Remind us how to do this again? Have comfort access if that matters? Just hold the unlock or something?

Once you unlock your X from 50 feet, press and hold the unlock button again and after 5 seconds all windows and sunroof will begin to open. Get 'em all opened before you even get to your vehicle and it will be much cooler for you. Basically, the 150 degree air has escaped.

I've noticed that the AC blows colder if I keep the fan speed lower.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:
SELL YOUR X5 and never buy another BMW
I had bad experiences with non-BMW Marque years ago and have never looked at them since. Lifes too short to be bitchin all the time.

4.8i - no problems
Aircon all good - but I did find it too a little while to get my iDrive settings "just" right - all good and works a treat in our constant Aussie heat!:thumbup:

I DISAGREE
 

Our car has been over in Western Australia whilst we were there, and we discovered that the current model A/C is pretty useless. A call to the dealer found out that those in hot climates are complaining about the same thing.

Firstly check that you have the rear a/c turned off altogether (Idrive uncheck rear pasenger and make same settings as driver) That alone significantly increases the airflow to the front.

It is not the initial cool down of the car that is such a problem, it is that the volume of COLD air is so low that having passengers (or our son) in the rear means we sweat in the front or have it turned up so much that the 'less hot air' is roaring out the vents. It does appear to be a pretty weak solution to warmer climates as we had the dealer check all the settings and we had it right.

The temps we were experincing were in the 40's (110'F) and it was causing a problem for us....

I am in South Louisiana where the humidity is 100%, it doesnt get much hotter than this.

At max volume, it literally is max volume, audibly, but I think it does its job, albeit gradually. I think the problem is there's so many settings for it. I mean, the fan control has something like 8 levels.. tone those choices down and it should be more responsive at each level.

All BMWs have this. Unlock the doors via keyfob and then hold the unlock button for awhile. The windows will begin to roll down and stop when you release the button.

The AC in our '06 325i is stupid. Next to the centre fill speaker on top of the dash, there are two vents that supplement the face vents on the centre stack. Problem is, they are too far from the front passengers to be of any use. Why not just have two BIG centre vents like normal cars, instead of diverting air to 4 vents, two of which are useless? :loco:

That is why on truly hot days, I prefer to drive the X3 around because its AC is more effective and puts out more air.

I will say, the auto climate control in our 118i worked well. But the vents were bigger, which makes little sense because that hatch is smaller and cheaper than the 325i sedan.

Thanks for admitting the same problem. 2 local dealers here in Southern California (BMWs largest market in the entire world!), and some of the most valued & respected dealers verified that A LOT of X5 owners are complaining about poor air volume, not cold enough, oddly complicated and useless i-Drive climate settings...It's not that I complain A LOT, it's just that for what we spend, I expect A LOT from a car. I will be the first to say the BMW makes one of the safest & strongest cars on this planet, but electronics and reliability to a degree, is not their strongpoint. Some of you have your head so far in the clouds with the notion that BMW can do no wrong, that you just refuse to admit a flaw(s) with your E70. I guess if that makes your E70 ownership more enjoyable, then more power to ya!!

press the "AUTO" button until it says Intense and turn off the rear a/c.

As rh71 said,
I think the problem is there are too many different settings. Once you figure out the perfect A/C, fan speed, etc. configuration, there isn't a problem.

very well said deutsch100 .... i'm curious, have the dealerships done anything to correct the problem with your AC? i've pretty much done everything suggested on this thread to this point and still am not satisifed with the results (and neither is my 8 week old son) ... i'm seriously contemplating taking it in to the local dealer to have it looked at. btw, it was 113'F here today (and will get hotter this weekend).

If the intensive setting isnt cooling the car, then yes you should have taken it to the dealer.

For the past 2.5 days, we've had 105-111F, so HOT here too!! With my 06' E90 and both X5s, the dealership just says "that's the new BMW climate control systems". The air temp. is cold, and will eventually cool the car, but if you compare the force, temp and evenness with other car makes...the BMW (especially the new X5) it is for sure subpar. I don't think the dealer can do anything, as BMW does not think there is a problem. Sorry!!

I'm wondering if some drivers don't realize the vents on both sides of the dash have two adjustments. They adjust up and down to open and also open side to side. When I first got my 08 x5, the side to side adjustment was closed and only a small amount of air was coming out. Once opened, the air is more than enough for our warm summer climate in CA. I've also adjusted settings in idrive. I don't see a problem.

I tend to disagree with you and your dealer. If all BMW's had bad a/c then your and your dealers theory would be right. A lot of us have no complaints. I live in Kansas and we get hot here with some humidity also and mine cools just fine. As to all BMW's I have had two E53's prior to the 70 and never had problems with the A/C including several months in Arizona. If yours is not satisfactory the problem has to be in the eletronics or A/C or ours would be bad too. It's not the system!!!! Take it too the dealer and tell them other people are happy.

This is the second summer we've had our X5 and the A/C continues to work and cool very effectively. On super hot humid summer days, after the X5 has been sitting in the sun here in Florida, I've pushed the "MAX" button to cool the car quickly and it does so very well. After a minute or two I just go to the Auto Intensive position and the vehicle stays very comfortable.

When I first got the vehicle I like many of you thought the system was weak. But once I got the settings for the vents right through I drive and began modulating the intensity through the "AUTO" button I found the system to be very good.

I have to ask, why do you continue buying BMW's if you are so unhappy?

If ya read my post a while back (this thread I think), I mention how great the air cond. was in both our E53s, and the air in my 05' M3 and both E46 330cics was excellent. The air cond in our Z8 Alpina is great too. It's just newer BMWs, that the air seems very subpar. It's awesome if some of you have great air...you're lucky :)

Since 2004, my Spouse and I have bought 9 new BMWs. Besides from the 2006 E90, 2007 E70 and 2008 E70...they have all been nearly flawless, performed beautifully and given a lot of pleasure. In a way the 2006 E90 and 2007 E70 were somewhat "my fault", as I know better not to buy a first model year. This is not unique to BMW, but true for most makes (especially German and American). I honestly just thought the 2008 E70 would have none of the problems and glitches that the 2007 models had. I am in awe of BMW's safety, engineering and overall quality...but I honestly think they have become somewhat "cocky", and got used to MBZ having such problems for 5+ years, while BMW didn't have any, or much negative press in terms of reliability problems (although the 2003/2004 7 Series was a nightmare!!). BMW is just taking their sales somewhat for granted, IMO of course. I will always defend BMW in terms of safety, as they are amazingly safe & solid vehicles!!

I just went to the dealer to complain about A/C, in my case it often stops blowing cold air while the car is not in motion. :dunno:

And they indeed found a faulty relay which turns on/off the fan. They replaced it and everything is cool again :wow:

air con plus towing SUCKS!!
 

I have posted this problem separately here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...en-towing.html

I would appreciate if you guys read and tell whether experienced the same problem and how to solve it.

In short, while a trailer electric outlet is attached (regardless what trailer), the air con goes off and comes back only when the plug is taken out.

Please help, soon I will be cooked tender in the E70

BMW guys have no clue what the heck is going on.

Is this a factory hitch? If it is, you leave it with the delaer and tell him you will pick it up when he figures it out. If they give you any trouble, call BMW directly. From my experience the problem will be solved immediatly.

If this is not a factory hitch, you are on your own.

I cannot think of anything else, as I have tried 2 different trailers and the same thing happened with both - so I can disclose the trailer electical failure related issue. Seems like a factory hitch.

thx for the advice anyways....

I wonder if anyone else had this same thing.

Just to follow up. Took it back to our dealer this morning. My wife was told that there wasn't a problem with the a/c. She pitched a fit and then learned that the unit was cooling on the driver's side, but not on the passenger's side and the rear unit. We learned it may be in for a couple days and they gave us an X3 loaner. I'm a little miffed as I was skeptical of this a/c upon delivery and was told it was because it was brand new.

WHAT???? "because it was brand new"

BTW- For those with AC problems, are you aware that the AUTO button is 3 phase? When you push it once it is low air flow, 2nd time is medium and 3rd time is high.

can anyone tell me why may A/C blows cold out of my left side vents but not the right side or the rear ones in my 01 X5

Just to update. The E70 air conditioner as designed works GREAT (in our loaner). Unfortunately looks like I have a problem and it's still being sorted out.

I think I figured out what was wrong with mine. After installing my A/C manifold guages on a 100 degree day with a/c full blast. High side pressure read 140psi and low side read 65psi. This in turn could only mean one thing to me and i was right. Freon was low. I added freon untill pressures ran 30 low side 195 high. A/C now cold. Wife and kids happy.All is good.