Cold Center Console
 

I've seen quite a few threads talking about this (for a while now). I didn't want to side track those threads with this question, so I thought I'd start a new one.

So it seems that some X5's have the ability of cooling the center console while others don't. I've been trying to figure out what determines this capability.

I initially thought it might be due to Country and that the US models just don't have this feature. But then I see post from people in the US that say that their cools.

I thought it was because of model year (07), but not 08. But then someone that has and 08 posts that they have this feature.

Since it involves the center console, the only other thing I can think of is "ipod" and "phone cradle". That maybe people with/without it has this feature.

I'd really like to know what determines this feature (or if as others say, simply a bug, such as a a/c leak to the compartment).

I just assumed that when the A/C was on, it cooled the center console. I have it in my '08. No phone or ipod craddle.

Um....cooling duct work for the rear running through the center console :dunno:

As I posted in another thread...
The center console on our brand new '09 35d seems to get colder, the hotter it is outside. So my guess is that this 'feature' is simply the byproduct of the rear seat vents being ducted through the console area. And that it is more noticeable on X5's with the Rear Seat Climate package that can cool/heat independently of the front settings. But the truth is I :dunno:

Funf Dreisig

My 07 X5 does not have the rear air option. I can close the vents in the rear that are supplied by the front area, but that still does not cool the center console. I recently had a X5D 09 that had the rear air option. If I turned on the rear air, and closed the vents, the center console got cool.

Our center console got so cold on the long trip home from the performance center that our camera fogged up when we took it out of the console. '09 35d with Rear Climate and Ipod.

I have the rear climate package too. Again I tried with various settings :

-with the AC on in the front only
-with the AC on in the front and back (using drivers settings / non using drivers settings)
-with the air circulation on & off

Think my car just doesn't do it. Just curious. Are there others out there in the US that have a 2008 4.8 that doesn't cool the center console? (Maybe it's just my car)

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

This is why I'm not inclined to call this a 'feature'. Some gadgets don't respond all that well to big thermal swings.

Funf Dreisig

Agree. I worry about storing any electronics in there. The condensation cant be good for them. On the plus side though, you could chill a 6-pack for the end of your trip.:rofl:

I have an 08 with Rear Climate and the center console bin does cool down considerably when the A/C is on. It is not because of the ducting, but there seems to be a small hole in the back of the bin which seems to pump cool air into the center console.

Can you actually feel the air coming from there?

If possible, can you upload a picture of the small hole. I'll go check it out too.

Yeah. Storing electronics in there wouldn't be a good idea. But it would be cool to leave some food in there (if the compartment was cooled) while I ran a quick errand (in the hot weather) and not having to worry about it going bad (or lugging it into the store with me too).

So you got the deluxe model center console cooler :D

FWIW you might want to take a peek in the rear seat vents with a flash light. From what I see, the center console IS the duct :yikes:

Which might explain why there is no separate duct showing on parts diagrams at Real OEM :)

Funf Dreisig

Haha, looks like mine was a special order ;) I will post the pictures tonight.

Cheers

no rear climate and the console is not cold when A/C is on and pumping to the back.

For your viewing enjoyment...

Funf Dreisig