I see no reason to turn the A/C (snowflake) off. The car will determine whether it is needed or not. The dehumidification function is useful in my climate. I also leave it in auto mode at all times.

However, I do find I need to fool around with the climate program settings way more than I should. If I don't do this, it will either be too hot or too cold depending on the outside weather, regardless of what temp is set.

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding regarding the automatic climate control. It is a very advanced system (as is the whole e70) and you can't expect to understand it by guessing. You need to read the book.

Just a few points:-

The system IS fully automatic. Heating, cooling, dehumidification, fan speed and air distribution are all automatically controlled. If you want to use it that way just press auto and set the temps you require for each side of the cabin. Leave the AC on, while in auto mode the system will control it and its needed for dehumidification as well as cooling.

The system is very accurate and will control the cabin temp very well but you may need to adjust the temp controls once the system has stabilized to account for your perception of the temp in the cabin compared to that outside. For instance, I like 18.5C, however that feels too hot if it's -2C outside and I am getting in and out the car a lot with a big coat on but it feels too cold if it's 28C outside and I have a T-shirt on. It's still maintaining 18.5C, its just my perception that is changing.

The controls within idrive only effect the vent offset temp for ventilation, i.e. if the climate control is off. Why any one would want to turn climate control off I can't imagine.

Well, nice Spring day out in the country with all the windows down and the sunroof open?

If you had all the windows and roof open then you would not be worried about the ventilation vent offset setting would you ;-)

I should have said 'I cant see why any one would want to run manual ventilation when they have paid for automatic climate control'.

My BMW Center owner explained to me how the A/C works in german cars, especially in BMW!!!

1. Temp always should be on 22 Degrees Celsius plus minus 2 Degrees
2. A/C button always ON
3. Auto always ON

The system is designed to work this way in Auto.

And research showes that, 22 degrees is an ideal temp, for both humans and cars, when it comes to everyday real life situations.

Some might question that it depands on individuals what is a perfect temp for them, but, what is ment is that, when you get in to a car and it's very cold, you can not expect the vehicle to blow the hot air right away, that is not possible, that is why the car is blowing very slowly and quitly in the beggining, the system defends itself from overworking the engine, and same thing in the summer, when you get in to the car and it's very hot outside, research showes that it is terrible for you to have cold air blown on to you right away.

This is why the system is designed this way, so there is a TRANSITION in every situation.

I think the whole point from this is that, while BMW climate control is very good and practical. BMW DOES A TERRIBLE JOB OF EXPLAINING IT TO US.

22 is far to hot for me personally. I would be falling asleep on a long run.

I think BMW explain it reasonably well but you do need to read the manual.

With the 3.0 gasoline engine, having the A/C snowflake button on numbs the throttle feel and hampers the acceleration.

Plus, you need to dry the compressor before parking the car, so no condensation is present to cause fungi to grow and give out funky smell. In order to do that, you need to turn the A/C off and give the HVAC to have fresh air to dry it out for about 3 minutes before parking the vehicle.

What's BWM?:dunno: A branch committed to explaining features in vehicles in BMW:stickpoke?

You don't need to turn off Climate control to turn off the AC. I think a lot of people here confuse the two.

I have no facts on the point but I am sure the e70 will dry its condenser automatically if required.

I have run my last 15+ cars with climate control, lots of different makes, and I have always had the climate and AC on all the time and I have never had any smells. I seem to recall that NOT running AC creates smells.

BWM fixed :thumbup:

Not having the Air Conditioning running proparly, creates the funky smell.

If you have the AC button on all the time, it makes sure you do not have any kind of smell, and creates the freshness in the car.

Every time i don't have A/C button light up, i feel liek someone is blowing worm stinky air in my nose