2011 Auxiliary Heating with Remote Option?
 

According to the European brochure here the description for auxiliary heating with remote control states "auxillary heating with remote control ideal in winter and in cold weather. When you step into your vehicle, the windscreen is already free of ice and the interior is already pleasantly warm.".

Is this available to USA/Canada? This is the whole reason most people warm up their cars for much longer than needed in the winter and if this was an option, this would be excellent. Not sure what the battery drain would be like though.

Well, I can tell you that there is no Auxiliary Heating option mentioned anywhere in the 2011 USA ordering guide or price list.

Too bad - it sounds like something I'd like.

If you were really interested in it you could look at the aftermarket version. I am not sure about the latest models, but traditionally this heater and control has been supplied to BMW by Webasto. Webasto also sell aftermarket installation kits of the same parts. The heater is fuel fired, and only the circulating pump draws battery power. This is why they were traditionally just offered on the diesel models by BMW, but Webasto offer gasoline and diesel versions. It is not a cheap option, especially once you get in installed. Look at the Webasto web site for more details.

Reading through other posts, I've heard other members with older bmw's had this installed, but that it needed to be a factory installation versus after-market. I would definitely order it with my bmw if it is currently sold in USA.

I did look at the Webasto heater but it did not look like a BMW installable item and it was very involved. I'd be afraid that it would conflict with warranty coverage so a BMW option would be best.

I have it installed as an additional option on my X over here in the UK. Must say, it did come in handy on a few days in winter but haven't used it since. It did work brilliantly when used though.

You're supplied with a separate remote control with and on/off button. The remote has a range of about 100 meters. You press "on" about 10 minutes before you get into your car and everything is all toasty when you step in! You could also programme it to come on at 2 different desired times though the idrive. I haven't had any problems with battery drain and it doesn't seem to be using any noticeable fuel.

Has been a great little gadget and does provide for some conversation material with friends, but not sure if it warrants a price tag of over £1k. Just my 2p.

:iagree:I have the factory fit remote FBH and its great. only problem I had was if you leave it on for more that 10 mins it gets too hot!

You can also run it manually if you are sitting in the car for long periods and don't want to run the engine to keep warm.

It will cut out if fuel or battery voltage gets low.

I did my own system in my last car. I used a GSM module to triger the engine pre-heater to run for 30 mins. It only warmed the engine, not the cabin but it meant the heater worked as soon as you set off. The GSM system was better than the factory remote in a way as i always have my phone with me!

The E53 X5 had a retrofit kit available for people interested in implementing this option. I don't know for certain about one for the E70, but it seems plausible.

As far as US not getting this option...Rhonda strikes again.

BMW only offered the diesel-fired version, so it wouldn't make much sense to offer the heater in the US where there were no diesel engines offered.

Webasto offer gasoline and diesel heaters, so I always thought it would be interesting to use the BMW retrofit kit with an aftermarket Webasto heater. Either that, or buy heated seats.

Attachment 41266

Please see attached, I have been looking at this option for some time now. This option is available for LHD only, however This will fit RHD its just that BMW have not carried out any R & D. The other thing I couldn't find out about was the remote control add on. Any ideas anyone.

Cheers

Ste

Thanks Big Ste. I think this was the document I came across when looking into this a while ago. Unless the dealer does this, it would be much too involved to do it yourself. It would be big dollars as a retrofit but may not be that expensive as an option.

Wrong. They had gas versions as well.

I came across some documents discussing the remote. Don't know if they were installation instructions or just user manuals. Anyway, if you proceed with this retrofit, let me know and I'll try to find them for you.

Thanks,

The kit is about 1100 euros and I have someone to help me fit it. The cost to code the kit is 50 euros so it will work out about the same as the factory fit cost.

The only issue is that there is no remote! The mobile phone option would be the best, just have not found out any info or if it can be done.
Help anyone.

Cheers

Ste

I think I found the stuff for you. If I help you out you have to promise to do a full write-up with pictures, etc. for the board. PM me your e-mail.

You had mentioned the E53 retrofit kit, and my E53 brochure showed the auxiliary heater as only being available on the diesel. I don't know anything about the E70 applicability, is that when they began to offer the gasoline heaters as well as the diesel models?

BMW has the aux heater retrofit for E53 and E70 gas and diesel versions.