Driving with the air conditioning on

[chris82]

I find this to be such a PITA. Unless I am highway cruising, all my shifts are time incorrectly because the revs just drop like a stone with it on. I drive with A/C probably 10% of the time so I can never get used to it. Anyone else agree?

[Chandon]

Never had any issues with A/C

[Mach1er]

I know exactly what you're talking about. Revs drop like a stone, 1-2-3 shift is terrible. Above that it's not as bad. I try to drive with the A/C off when possible, but 50% of the year in Texas that's not an option...I wonder if it's different between model years/engines as far as engine load goes.

[Wakka]

Happens to me until the engine is warmed up. then its no longer a problem.

[MarkkyyMan]

Glad I'm not the only one who notices this. Mine still does this even after it is up to operating temperatures. I realize most manual cars do this but I've never seen one be this drastic.

[Wakka]

Its possible im just used to it after 10 mins or so and dont notice anymore also i suppose. I will try to notice next time i drive with the AC on (i tend to avoid it for this exact reason)

[chris82]

I wish the A/C would not take my engine power away

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

I wish the A/C would not take my engine power away

It's either that or fairy dust, LOL.

[kobeballer96]

Lol I hate it same thing happens to me, I never really use it, I sweat then to lose HP hahaha unless I'm going somewhere super nice with my wife and all dressed and stuff

[Huecifer]

Agree. For some reason, the AC saps the power on this car, big time. Significantly more than my previous car. My guess is that at low revs, this car has somewhat lower torque, so it's just so much more noticeable...

I feel your pain, OP!

[chris82]

It's not even the power it takes that bothers me, it's just how fast the RPMs drop!

[Mach1er]

The smoothness of the revs building is also diminished

[631twentyeighteye]

Yup, i never drive with the AC because of this. RPM's drop like a brick and shifts become more difficult because of it. Of course you can compensate but then i have to switch between AC shifting and non AC shifting.

TLDR; F the AC.

[jksgoh]

yep, i have this same problem with the AC! good to hear its not just me being retarded

[chris82]

My car also idles rougher when stationary with the a/c on. Don't know why

[Chandon]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

My car also idles rougher when stationary with the a/c on. Don't know why

This problem I do have, maybe I'm just too used to driving with the ac on and never notice

[hoki06]

I'll echo everything that's already been said. Driving with AC on is frustrating because the revs drop so fast when shifting. In an effort to still be smooth I usually will blip the throttle before letting the clutch out and that helps. Starting from a stop is also tough and take some extra feathering of the throttle sometimes.

[chris82]

Is this how it is with other Non turbo BMWs?

[MarkkyyMan]

I don't think my buddies e36 328 is as bad, it is still not good. I learned to drive a manual on a S2K (insert VTEC joke here) the AC didn't drop RPMs between gears like a ton of bricks like the N52.

[Obioban]

I never turn it off, including in the winter, so I'm fully adapted to driving with it on.

It automatically disengages at WOT, so doesn't make the car slower when it counts, and it's more efficient to have the AC on than the windows down above 40mph.

[chdavis]

Mine is on AUTO 99% of the time (as it should be IMO) but, I agree, when it's off the shifting is absolutely sublime. When I turn the AC back on it takes about a shift or two to re-adapt.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Obioban

I never turn it off, including in the winter, so I'm fully adapted to driving with it on.

It automatically disengages at WOT, so doesn't make the car slower when it counts, and it's more efficient to have the AC on than the windows down above 40mph.

You don't turn it off in in the winter? For what reason?