X5 has worst air conditioning system of any car I've ever owned

Ex_Stig · 07-04-2019, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR930

I have a 2016 x5 35. Same issue with a/c. You guys think if I do a full purge evacuation and recharge it might make a difference?

Nope. Sadly that won't matter.

I got out of my X5 lease a full year early and in to a M3 CS. My hands now freeze within three minutes of the A/C being on.

Also, complaining to BMW won't help. They will just respond that it is "operating as designed".

TR930 · 07-04-2019, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Nope. Sadly that won't matter.

I got out of my X5 lease a full year early and in to a M3 CS. My hands now freeze within three minutes of the A/C being on.

Also, complaining to BMW won't help. They will just respond that it is "operating as designed".

My x5 is a hot climate version so that's why I am asking. My F80 M3 blows ice cold as well, but I'm wondering, are you speaking from experience having done this or just run up against BMW dealership roadblocks trying to get them to pay for " fixing" it?

Ex_Stig · 07-04-2019, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR930

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Nope. Sadly that won't matter.

I got out of my X5 lease a full year early and in to a M3 CS. My hands now freeze within three minutes of the A/C being on.

Also, complaining to BMW won't help. They will just respond that it is "operating as designed".

My x5 is a hot climate version so that's why I am asking. My F80 M3 blows ice cold as well, but I'm wondering, are you speaking from experience having done this or just run up against BMW dealership roadblocks trying to get them to pay for " fixing" it?

Speaking from experience. I live in Phoenix. My father and I both had X5s and it is brutal. BMW flew a regional technical engineer out to meet with us and "explain" that nothing is wrong with the AC.

There is absolutely no "fix" that a dealership can do. Sadly.

TR930 · 07-04-2019, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Speaking from experience. I live in Phoenix. My father and I both had X5s and it is brutal. BMW flew a regional technical engineer out to meet with us and "explain" that nothing is wrong with the AC.

There is absolutely no "fix" that a dealership can do. Sadly.

I understand that people are taking that position here. My question is, has anyone done a full evacuation purge and recharge and did that improve cooling performance?

I am not a asking BMW to acknowledge anything, I'm just going to instruct them on what I want to have done.

RED_Y_ · 07-04-2019, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR930

I understand that people are taking that position here. My question is, has anyone done a full evacuation purge and recharge and did that improve cooling performance?

I am not a asking BMW to acknowledge anything, I'm just going to instruct them on what I want to have done.

I guess this is just a design flaw, so you can do it but don't expect any significant improvement.

TR930 · 07-04-2019, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

I guess this is just a design flaw, so you can do it but don't expect any significant improvement.

Ok, going to get it done tomorrow and will report back.

Ex_Stig · 07-04-2019, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR930

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

I guess this is just a design flaw, so you can do it but don't expect any significant improvement.

Ok, going to get it done tomorrow and will report back.

Will be interesting to hear the results. But, the unit is just under sized and under powered.

sdk8103 · 07-04-2019, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Speaking from experience. I live in Phoenix. My father and I both had X5s and it is brutal. BMW flew a regional technical engineer out to meet with us and "explain" that nothing is wrong with the AC.

There is absolutely no "fix" that a dealership can do. Sadly.

It's odd because this doesn't seem to be consistent with all X5s. Mine takes a minute or two, or high revs, before cool air starts to come out on a hot day, but I can get the car cold on a 95 degree day.

yewlock · 07-04-2019, 03:04 PM

My other car just set to auto 70 without adjustment of fan speed. X5 just need to set auto 65 with the adjustment of fan speed set at 3 bar or 4 bar. It works fine just not good compare to other car. Yes, it is undersized and under power like everybody said. BTW I live in an mild climate area where summer temperature rarely above 85F.

jo2134 · 07-04-2019, 10:08 PM

We've had some hot humid days in NYC already this summer and hitting "max ac" cools down my car after a few minutes and has me turning down the a/c shortly after so I don't believe it id consistent among all F15s (mine is a late 18' model build).

Ex_Stig · 07-04-2019, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jo2134

We've had some hot humid days in NYC already this summer and hitting "max ac" cools down my car after a few minutes and has me turning down the a/c shortly after so I don't believe it id consistent among all F15s (mine is a late 18' model build).

In my experience, living in Arizona, the problem is primarily noticed when the outside temperature is over the 100°.

RED_Y_ · 07-05-2019, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

In my experience, living in Arizona, the problem is primarily noticed when the outside temperature is over the 100°.

I agree, in San Francisco and 85° degrees high it works great, but last time I went to Sacramento and it was 103° over there, I turned off rear climate and set AC to max level, took some time to cool it down. So if your live in Arizona or any other place where you can see 100°+ degrees heat, you can feel the problem over there.

Maverik259 · 07-05-2019, 10:40 PM

Get better tint maybe. It's been in the 90s here for over a week and ya the car is hot but not terrible and the AC set to auto 65 on fan 3 works perfect for me. I also have ceramic on every piece of glass. Windshield and giant sunroof.

skoold2003 · 07-14-2019, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR930

Ok, going to get it done tomorrow and will report back.

Did you ever get this done?

I just bought a '14 50i and the AC is underwhelming here in Las Vegas. Also, I don't see the enable/disable rear climate option in iDrive.. is that only on the newer models? I did reach back and turn off the rear vents using the dials and it seemed to boost the fan a bit.

Kdavis61 · 07-14-2019, 08:38 PM

My AC defiantly isn't the best, much better in my Range Rover, but with that being said I have top of the line tint on every window including the sunroof and it works miracles. On a eight hour drive yesterday I had it set at 72° and Auto Bar 1 and it worked very well. The temp outside was 99°-104° the whole way.

turboawd · 07-14-2019, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kdavis61

My AC defiantly isn't the best, much better in my Range Rover, but with that being said I have top of the line tint on every window including the sunroof and it works miracles. On a eight hour drive yesterday I had it set at 72° and Auto Bar 1 and it worked very well. The temp outside was 99°-104° the whole way.

Is your windshield tinted too? I notice a lot of heat comes from there.

Also. I put a phone holder on one of the middle vents, but the bad thing is it blocks the air coming out and forces the air down towards the temperature sensor below the temperature dial. If that is the only sensor, I'd imagine that would make the car think it's colder than it actually is, and reduce ac performance.

Kdavis61 · 07-15-2019, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboawd

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kdavis61

My AC defiantly isn't the best, much better in my Range Rover, but with that being said I have top of the line tint on every window including the sunroof and it works miracles. On a eight hour drive yesterday I had it set at 72° and Auto Bar 1 and it worked very well. The temp outside was 99°-104° the whole way.

Is your windshield tinted too? I notice a lot of heat comes from there.

Also. I put a phone holder on one of the middle vents, but the bad thing is it blocks the air coming out and forces the air down towards the temperature sensor below the temperature dial. If that is the only sensor, I'd imagine that would make the car think it's colder than it actually is, and reduce ac performance.

Yes it's tinted with ATX 70. Not too dark at night and blocks over 90% of the heat.

640ijims · 07-15-2019, 03:13 PM

Live here in sw Florida, extremely hot & humid..105* wet bulb summer daze. I find I turn sysyem to low ,max fan and recirculate and begin turning temp down in about 4 or 5 minutes to desired temp. I may or may not turn on auto as half of being cool is air moving over you. Direction of side vents is critical ( set uppers to hit side windows along with fixed side vents) as is tint windows( mine going back to shop to have front windows redone darker even though will be illegal here), I have rear air set to max cold and fan speed full time. Hope this treatis by a DA helps someone

Kakalika · 07-15-2019, 05:07 PM

Has anyone tried an alternate refrigerant? I used Envirosafe industrial 134 replacement in my E70 a while back and was getting 12 degree temps with the rear AC off.

I can't help wondering how the AC system would perform if it was charged with good old R12!!!!

I'm sure the F15's AC performance would improve with this refrigerant. I think I should try it one of these days.

CatalinP · 07-15-2019, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboawd

If that is the only sensor, I'd imagine that would make the car think it's colder than it actually is, and reduce ac performance.

No, it's not the only sensor.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nsors/H7RPE2uq

For the cars with 2 zone climate control, you have 4 interior temperature sensors in the cabin - one in each front footwell and one in each side vent.
For 4 zone climate control, there are 3 aditional - 1 for the central vent grile in the rear and 2 for the footwells.

TXSTYLE · 08-11-2019, 07:53 PM

Wow.... 14 pages on this subject.

I'm in north Texas and recently got our F15 xdrive50i. Now that Temps are hitting upper 90s and 100,this A/C is underwhelming compared to many cars and trucks I've owned, including my 9yr old F01. I've never had it's a/c serviced and it still freezes me up no matter how hot it gets outside. And with much less effort too.

CatalinP · 08-11-2019, 08:03 PM

Maybe it's time to get it serviced, replenish the refrigerant and oil in the cooling circuit.

07-04-2019, 03:04 PM	#295
yewlock Major 698 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	My other car just set to auto 70 without adjustment of fan speed. X5 just need to set auto 65 with the adjustment of fan speed set at 3 bar or 4 bar. It works fine just not good compare to other car. Yes, it is undersized and under power like everybody said. BTW I live in an mild climate area where summer temperature rarely above 85F.
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07-04-2019, 10:08 PM	#296
jo2134 jo2134 385 Rep 569 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 M Competition Join Date: May 2018 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	We've had some hot humid days in NYC already this summer and hitting "max ac" cools down my car after a few minutes and has me turning down the a/c shortly after so I don't believe it id consistent among all F15s (mine is a late 18' model build). __________________ 2021 X5 M Competition Tanzanite Blue II/Black Full Merino with Midrand Beige Past: 2019 M5 Competition Alpine White/Aragon Brown Full Merino Leather 2018 X5 35i M-Sport Space Gray / Mocha Nappa 20" 469M Wheels 2015 528xi Dark Graphite / Cinnamon Brown 2013 X5 50i Platinum Gray / Cinnamon Brown 20" Y-Spoke Wheels
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07-05-2019, 10:40 PM	#299
Maverik259 Major General 4140 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	Get better tint maybe. It's been in the 90s here for over a week and ya the car is hot but not terrible and the AC set to auto 65 on fan 3 works perfect for me. I also have ceramic on every piece of glass. Windshield and giant sunroof. __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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07-14-2019, 08:38 PM	#301
Kdavis61 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 288 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 50i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (1)	My AC defiantly isn't the best, much better in my Range Rover, but with that being said I have top of the line tint on every window including the sunroof and it works miracles. On a eight hour drive yesterday I had it set at 72° and Auto Bar 1 and it worked very well. The temp outside was 99°-104° the whole way. __________________ Kaelan 1998 BMW 318ti w/ 35,000 original miles 2015 BMW X5 xDrive35i--2017 BMW X5 xDrive35d 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i--2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i 1992 Mercedes G320D--2013 LR Range Rover Sport
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07-15-2019, 03:13 PM	#304
640ijims Lieutenant 193 Rep 592 Posts Drives: 2018 X5M , 14%E2%80%99640i ver Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: East Coast of SC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 X5///M [7.50] 2018 BMW [0.00]	Live here in sw Florida, extremely hot & humid..105* wet bulb summer daze. I find I turn sysyem to low ,max fan and recirculate and begin turning temp down in about 4 or 5 minutes to desired temp. I may or may not turn on auto as half of being cool is air moving over you. Direction of side vents is critical ( set uppers to hit side windows along with fixed side vents) as is tint windows( mine going back to shop to have front windows redone darker even though will be illegal here), I have rear air set to max cold and fan speed full time. Hope this treatis by a DA helps someone
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
X5 has worst air conditioning system of any car I've ever owned

07-15-2019, 05:07 PM	#305
Kakalika First Lieutenant 101 Rep 302 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 35d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Houston TX iTrader: (0)	Has anyone tried an alternate refrigerant? I used Envirosafe industrial 134 replacement in my E70 a while back and was getting 12 degree temps with the rear AC off. I can't help wondering how the AC system would perform if it was charged with good old R12!!!! I'm sure the F15's AC performance would improve with this refrigerant. I think I should try it one of these days. __________________ RUN FLAT TIRES? NEIN DANKE!
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08-11-2019, 07:53 PM	#307
TXSTYLE "Salud" 13851 Rep 4,675 Posts Drives: F01 & F15 / Mineral White Join Date: May 2013 Location: The GYM! (The Burbs - N TX) iTrader: (0)	Wow.... 14 pages on this subject. I'm in north Texas and recently got our F15 xdrive50i. Now that Temps are hitting upper 90s and 100,this A/C is underwhelming compared to many cars and trucks I've owned, including my 9yr old F01. I've never had it's a/c serviced and it still freezes me up no matter how hot it gets outside. And with much less effort too.
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08-11-2019, 08:03 PM	#308
CatalinP Major 590 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 2014 3.0xd Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: RO iTrader: (0)	Maybe it's time to get it serviced, replenish the refrigerant and oil in the cooling circuit.
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