AC performance report

KevinC · 06-07-2006, 10:32 PM

About a month ago, before the hot weather arrived here in the Valley of the Sun, I was concerned about AC performance. One of the car mags (C&D comparo if IIRC) had written about poor AC performance in their 330, and with many 110+ days coming soon, I was concerned about how well the AC would perform.

Well, the heat has now arrived, and I'm happy to report that my AC performance has been excellent, even when we topped out at 114 the other day. And the car seems to cool fairly quickly, impressive in this climate. Anyhone considering buying a 3 in a hot climate - I'm here to tell ya, you'll be fine with the AC.

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the auto system, I've never liked them and while this one is better than the VW ones I've wrestled with in the past, it still isn't too bright. When I have the temps set at 68 and it's 110 outside, throttling the blower back ot one setting below HALFWAY is ludicrous. Easily fixed by overriding manually, but if that's necessary, why have the complex and expensive auto system in the first place?

David328M-Sport · 06-07-2006, 10:54 PM

The AC is great. Dont even feel it's drag on the engine power like I used to on my e46 & e36.

Fantastic

Asiann · 06-07-2006, 11:00 PM

No problems here in Hawaii with sunny weather most of the time and getting hotter with the summer coming.

timmerweb · 06-08-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the auto system, I've never liked them and while this one is better than the VW ones I've wrestled with in the past, it still isn't too bright. When I have the temps set at 68 and it's 110 outside, throttling the blower back ot one setting below HALFWAY is ludicrous. Easily fixed by overriding manually, but if that's necessary, why have the complex and expensive auto system in the first place?

Interesting that for you it comes on so low. I was using it on a quite a long drive earlier in the week, warm sunny weather (28C outside) and I found it too annoying because it would generally blow above the halfway setting, which I find too loud and draughty. It eventually settled down to 3 ticks but never went any lower. This is with it set at low in the iDrive climate settings.

-Tim

300B · 06-08-2006, 01:45 PM

The AC system on the E90 is a good one.

Many run into trouble by not reintroducing humdity to system and sometimes freezing up the coil.

HRC · 06-08-2006, 01:53 PM

I like the AC system, but I hate the noise. Anything above 2 bars is loud! Whack!

Danny

dejav0o · 06-08-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

I like the AC system, but I hate the noise. Anything above 2 bars is loud! Whack!

Danny

Agreed!!! I figured I was the only one that thought so...

HRC · 06-08-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejav0o

Agreed!!! I figured I was the only one that thought so...

lol, I also hate my auto wiper system!! This two things are low points in an otherwise great car.

Danny

ON325i · 06-08-2006, 02:42 PM

i would think the AC can get a bit stronger than what it has now but it is working just fine for me. And indeed the noise is a bit too distracting from times .

Snowman811 · 06-08-2006, 04:47 PM

Is the AC compressor run by a (parasitic) belt or does it have its own electrically run compressor (like the water pump motor)?

akhbhaat · 06-08-2006, 05:28 PM

It's about time they put a decent A/C system in the 3 series. The unit in the E46 is adequate for south Florida, but not exceptional - I can't imagine it working well in 110 degree heat.

HappyG · 06-08-2006, 05:55 PM

Thanks for the review. Especially when it's tested to the extreme in 114 degree sun!! HOT.
________
Strain Index

r3amir · 06-08-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David325Australia

The AC is great. Dont even feel it's drag on the engine power like I used to on my e46 & e36.

Fantastic

There is a difference of power (only little) with AC on. I don't have experience of e46 or e36.

When we are cruising and turn off the AC, MPG meter definitely goes up too.

LEDZEP · 06-08-2006, 07:46 PM

Hey, I've been to Chandler in those temps. Love the misters downtown on hot days!!

e90rocks · 06-08-2006, 07:48 PM

After several years in a Honda where the AC had died (and failed many a repair attempt til it was declared DNR) I really appreciate my A/C unit. I agree that full blast is too loud, but it kinda makes me feel like it's working overtime for me...

I like the combination of letting all the hot air out by depressing the open button as I walk to the car, followed by sequential closing of the windows as MAX button is pushed, and then the downthrottling of the AC by two bars within 60 seconds.

My main concern will be longevity.

monolith · 06-08-2006, 07:57 PM

Get the darkest tint legally allowed in your state. Should help a bit, especially when your car has been baking in the sun all day.

06-07-2006, 10:32 PM	#1
KevinC your average JAMF 3099 Rep 4,093 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	AC performance report - from HELL! About a month ago, before the hot weather arrived here in the Valley of the Sun, I was concerned about AC performance. One of the car mags (C&D comparo if IIRC) had written about poor AC performance in their 330, and with many 110+ days coming soon, I was concerned about how well the AC would perform. Well, the heat has now arrived, and I'm happy to report that my AC performance has been excellent, even when we topped out at 114 the other day. And the car seems to cool fairly quickly, impressive in this climate. Anyhone considering buying a 3 in a hot climate - I'm here to tell ya, you'll be fine with the AC. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the auto system, I've never liked them and while this one is better than the VW ones I've wrestled with in the past, it still isn't too bright. When I have the temps set at 68 and it's 110 outside, throttling the blower back ot one setting below HALFWAY is ludicrous. Easily fixed by overriding manually, but if that's necessary, why have the complex and expensive auto system in the first place? __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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06-07-2006, 10:54 PM	#2
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	The AC is great. Dont even feel it's drag on the engine power like I used to on my e46 & e36. Fantastic __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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06-07-2006, 11:00 PM	#3
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	No problems here in Hawaii with sunny weather most of the time and getting hotter with the summer coming. __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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06-08-2006, 01:45 PM	#5
300B Private 2 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 06 325i Join Date: May 2006 Location: DC Metro Area iTrader: (0)	The AC system on the E90 is a good one. Many run into trouble by not reintroducing humdity to system and sometimes freezing up the coil.
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06-08-2006, 01:53 PM	#6
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	I like the AC system, but I hate the noise. Anything above 2 bars is loud! Whack! Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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06-08-2006, 02:42 PM	#9
ON325i Captain 18 Rep 740 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 e90 325i [0.00]	i would think the AC can get a bit stronger than what it has now but it is working just fine for me. And indeed the noise is a bit too distracting from times . __________________ e90 325i Jet Black / Sports Pkg / Auto
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06-08-2006, 04:47 PM	#10
Snowman811 Black Sapphire 330i 32 Rep 362 Posts Drives: Black Sapphire 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (1)	Is the AC compressor run by a (parasitic) belt or does it have its own electrically run compressor (like the water pump motor)?
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06-08-2006, 05:28 PM	#11
akhbhaat Captain 181 Rep 883 Posts Drives: ///M318ti Type-R Turbo S Join Date: May 2005 Location: T1 run-off iTrader: (0)	It's about time they put a decent A/C system in the 3 series. The unit in the E46 is adequate for south Florida, but not exceptional - I can't imagine it working well in 110 degree heat. __________________ Avid collector of the very finest Deutscher Schrott
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06-08-2006, 05:55 PM	#12
HappyG Major 45 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330i / 6SP Join Date: May 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Thanks for the review. Especially when it's tested to the extreme in 114 degree sun!! HOT. ________ Strain Index Last edited by HappyG; 05-17-2011 at 02:08 AM..
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06-08-2006, 07:46 PM	#14
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Hey, I've been to Chandler in those temps. Love the misters downtown on hot days!! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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06-08-2006, 07:48 PM	#15
e90rocks Myrmidon 17 Rep 236 Posts Drives: Entwicklung 90 - 325 Xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325 xi [0.00]	A/C OK here. After several years in a Honda where the AC had died (and failed many a repair attempt til it was declared DNR) I really appreciate my A/C unit. I agree that full blast is too loud, but it kinda makes me feel like it's working overtime for me... I like the combination of letting all the hot air out by depressing the open button as I walk to the car, followed by sequential closing of the windows as MAX button is pushed, and then the downthrottling of the AC by two bars within 60 seconds. My main concern will be longevity.
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06-08-2006, 07:57 PM	#16
monolith Private 10 Rep 72 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Get the darkest tint legally allowed in your state. Should help a bit, especially when your car has been baking in the sun all day.
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