How Cold is your AC?

[Dak Tirque]

I have been driving my 2011 for about a week now...today in NY it is around 85 degrees.
I put the air conditioner on the lowest temp (60 degrees) on both sides figuring I would get blasted with Ice cold air.

I was underwhelmed...this AC seems weak to me, not frigid, just "kinda cold".

The " MAX" setting sounds like a jet turbine, lots of air displacement, but not really any cooler.

Does anyone else have sub-par AC?
Does AC needs to "break in" like the rest of the cars parts (will it get colder with time)? I would doubt it.

Anyone else with mild AC?

[Alex_bm]

Had 328 before, now driving 128. Weak A/C in both cars.
Was in my friends 335 today, same thing... takes really long time to get for cold air to come out when the car has been parked outside in a sun.

It's a whole different story when the car is parked indoors.

[jeremyc74]

The A/C is marginal at best in my car as well, and the automatic climate control doesn't do a very good job of controlling it until it's already cooled down.

The Max A/C setting has so much fan noise it's annoying to use.

[ChrisK]

My AC is frigid, but it's only 87 deg outside. I have no complaints.

[Pavetron]

Pretty cold, and I'm in SW Florida. I do put my windows down first to let out the hot air and I have beige leather.

[Bimmer-Bob]

My A/C sucks, to be blunt.

When I get to my car after work on a hot day, when the car has been baking in the sun for hours, it's just awful. The black interior certainly doesn't help, but I was expecting a brand-new BMW to have a pretty solid HVAC system. I usually put the windows down as I walk up to the car and that seems to help a lot. Once the temperature is at a more tolerable level, the A/C does a passable job, but it's certainly not impressive. I was expecting impressive.

[IS+1]

My A/C actually works great... better than I thought it would, especially after reading all the complaints about the A/C before picking up my car last month.

Yesterday we had the hottest day in May on record (33C = 91F), and the A/C cooled down my black leatherette interior in no time. The "Max" setting is loud, but damn does it work!!! The half hour drive home in 90F weather was cool and refreshing, with the windows up and A/C set to 22C (=72F).

[Dak Tirque]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

My A/C sucks, to be blunt.

When I get to my car after work on a hot day, when the car has been baking in the sun for hours, it's just awful. The black interior certainly doesn't help, but I was expecting a brand-new BMW to have a pretty solid HVAC system. I usually put the windows down as I walk up to the car and that seems to help a lot. Once the temperature is at a more tolerable level, the A/C does a passable job, but it's certainly not impressive. I was expecting impressive.

Damn Bob...your AC sucks and didn't the software update rob you of your turbo boost? The German gods have not smiled favorably upon thee.... that blows man (pun intended).

Do you all think a check by the dealership would remedy anything? Or is this the environmentally friendly "freon" that doesn't cut the mustard?

[meg180]

I was my 135 driving around staten island today thinking the same thing. Mu fiancee's 335 gets really cold

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by Dak Tirque

Damn Bob...your AC sucks and didn't the software update rob you of your turbo boost?

Nope - this is one of those times I can claim in full confidence that "it wasn't me." No turbos in my 128.

[Dak Tirque]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Nope - this is one of those times I can claim in full confidence that "it wasn't me." No turbos in my 128.

my bad..that was bimmerschnitzel...not bimmer bob. i didn't even look at your info...128...duh!

[Qunadry]

The AC in all 3 of my BMW's (2000 323Ci, 2007 335i and my current 135i) were good. The worse AC was in my former 2004 Audi TT and the best in my former 2006 Volvo S 60 R. My wife's 2003 Buick Century could be used to make an ice rink.

[Ash83]

The AC is not the best out there but it is ok.. I live in S. FL and i have to roll the windows down to push the hot air out..

In general it is cold after a while..

[GotM]

I have no problem with my AC. It was 101 here in AZ the other day and cooled the car down rather quickly.

The AC on my M Roadster was marginal at best. I had to be careful not to give it too much throttle either, the AC Clutch disengaged with full throttle to give the power to the wheels.

[ulrichd]

I was really worried about this, living in TX, and the horrible a/c in my last BMW, a 2000 M-Coupe. Here is what you do to maximize the a/c during hot weather:
- Close off the far right passenger vent (this puts more air through the center)
- Push the button that puts air through the dash vents only (this turns off auto air)
- Activate the recirc button (push twice) unless cabin is hot

This really works.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

I was really worried about this, living in TX, and the horrible a/c in my last BMW, a 2000 M-Coupe. Here is what you do to maximize the a/c during hot weather:
- Close off the far right passenger vent (this puts more air through the center)
- Push the button that puts air through the dash vents only (this turns off auto air)
- Activate the recirc button (push twice) unless cabin is hot

This really works.

Ha! Still have the M Coupe, and A/C in Texas is truly horrible. Anything over 85 and it's nearly useless. The 1er in comparison is great!

[JHZR2]

euro cars typically have undersized AC systems by American standards...

[TMR013]

Compared to other cars I've had the AC in the 1 is lacking, especially for AZ.

I've heard in other threads that an option in other hot parts of the world, like Saudi Arabia is a boosted AC system. Wish they would offer that in the States.

[ennislaw]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Ha! Still have the M Coupe, and A/C in Texas is truly horrible. Anything over 85 and it's nearly useless. The 1er in comparison is great!

I live in the South too and I'm hoping the 1-er's A/C can cope with the summer heat and humidity; just like TX we get 100º+ F temps (38º+C for the rest of the world). Plus I have BSM and black leather interior, I'm also hoping the BMW sunshades installed in the back windows will help cut down on the heat.

pge

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Ha! Still have the M Coupe, and A/C in Texas is truly horrible. Anything over 85 and it's nearly useless. The 1er in comparison is great!

It was ok on the highway, but in traffic it was like a blowdryer set on low. Insult to injury was the compressor cutoff switch at full throttle. Not only am I sweating but I can't even floor it.

Still, I loved that quirky car.

[NYC6]

Yesterday was the first pretty warm day here(80F) and commented to the wife how cold it felt. No complaints here.

[Cuz5150]

Originally Posted by Dak Tirque

Do you all think a check by the dealership would remedy anything? Or is this the environmentally friendly "freon" that doesn't cut the mustard?

Dealership will tell you is "with in" spec....blah blah blah. I do blame the environmentally freon. The R134 is weak sauce. I wish i could retro fit back to R12.