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

[Ex_Stig]

We live in AZ. The sunroof is always closed in the summer. Lol

[Apple Corps]

An embarrassing update on our positive experience so far.

I finally got around to the rear seats to close off the rear passenger vents so I would control them from iDrive - no problem. I then noticed the temperature control wheels for the rear passengers were set at full heat. So I guess I was cooling the front while heating the back at 110 F LOL.

We are at 106 F today, so I'll give it another test checking out the Gilly1964 approach on fan speed & Auto setting. I also unticked the fan in the iDrive Eco Mode settings.

If our current AC improves by much I will try to rent it out as a meat locker...

[Apple Corps]

OK - finished my latest AC test run.

102 F - 15 minute run. The changes that I made did not impact the cooling from what I experienced. When I toggle the fan speed all the way it switches to Auto on the fan speed indicator and temp button - there is no "Max" setting.

The cabin cooled rapidly and stayed cool - I did run the temp setting down to 65 and the air was quite cool.

The passenger seat was empty and I noticed virtually no air coming out of the dash vent on the passenger side even though the settings were the same - might just use sync again.

While the cabin was very comfortable I would agree that the volume of air out the vents was light - there appeared to be a lot of air coming out near the windshield.

So, all in all it keeps me comfortable but I can understand the concerns about the air volume now that I paid more attention to it.

[Kr0m3assass1n]

Has anyone noticed a "crackling" sound in the first few seconds after turning on the car when the AC kicks in on start up? It's almost like there's little goblins playing with a candy wrapper to freak me out!!!

Ok maybe it's not quite so loud or as bad as it sounds but I just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that something is about to take a massive $hit on me.

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Kr0m3assass1n

Has anyone noticed a "crackling" sound in the first few seconds after turning on the car when the AC kicks in on start up? It's almost like there's little goblins playing with a candy wrapper to freak me out!!!

Ok maybe it's not quite so loud or as bad as it sounds but I just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that something is about to take a massive $hit on me.

Yes!!!

[Kr0m3assass1n]

Originally Posted by Chadmatic

Yes!!!

What year is your X5? I wonder if this is a common issue across the entire model range or just one particular batch? Have you got it checked out at all?

[Violator]

Originally Posted by Kr0m3assass1n

Has anyone noticed a "crackling" sound in the first few seconds after turning on the car when the AC kicks in on start up? It's almost like there's little goblins playing with a candy wrapper to freak me out!!!

Ok maybe it's not quite so loud or as bad as it sounds but I just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that something is about to take a massive $hit on me.

Yes! 2016
MY 2015 X6 did the same thing

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Kr0m3assass1n

What year is your X5? I wonder if this is a common issue across the entire model range or just one particular batch? Have you got it checked out at all?

2015. It happens sometimes when I turn the AC off and just let the fan run

[MysticBlue]

I agree with the conclusion that the air flow is a little anemic for the volume of space that is being cooled. One little thing I think helps... I always keep the rear cargo space cover rolled out to close off that space. A little less space for the system to try to cool. Maybe not much, but every little bit helps.

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

I agree with the conclusion that the air flow is a little anemic for the volume of space that is being cooled. One little thing I think helps... I always keep the rear cargo space cover rolled out to close off that space. A little less space for the system to try to cool. Maybe not much, but every little bit helps.

I always keep it closed as well, but it's more of an OCD thing for me than a practicality.

[expidia]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

I agree with the conclusion that the air flow is a little anemic for the volume of space that is being cooled. One little thing I think helps... I always keep the rear cargo space cover rolled out to close off that space. A little less space for the system to try to cool. Maybe not much, but every little bit helps.

Great and simple tip, thx

[Apple Corps]

Our AC froze me out this morning - cold air and ample flow.

So, what is the problem for some:

Defective component?
Different Suppliers = defective component?
Design flaw for really hot areas (I live in one BTW)?
Settings not easily understood?
Defective sensors?
Defective software design / over thought German engineering (passenger seat empty = no airflow on that side)?

I don't see this as an overall system design flaw in the mechanics as we get chilled quickly at times - comfortable all of the time - very hot climate.

Hmmmm........

[Ray1013]

Hi - I have the same issue with my new X5 in Las Vegas - I have driven a BMW for the last 15 years all 535i in Las Vegas without any issue! It seems strange to me that the BMW is blowing off the issue (no pun intended) that it is user error.

What was the "fix" that you noted in your post? I trust that it wasn't the suggestion that we turn off the rear AC - that would be stupid as I have a 12 month old that really hates to be in a HOT car. : 0

In my case the car has been in service three times now, the first time was "no trouble found" held a thermometer and the temp was 68 degrees.

The second time I took it in - troubleshooting revealed that the Freon was down by 1.5 pounds - the AC worked great for two days, then started acting up again.

The third time is the charm - I took it in with the same complaint - the service advisor called me and told me that the service manager got into my car and noted that my temp controls were set to "red" - I was flabbergasted - really? at 12 year plus BMW veteran had his temp controls set to red and THAT was the reason I was not getting cold air! HUH?

Well the car is STILL there after I explained my position - more to come!

[Maverik259]

I assume this is sarcasm lol

[Chadmatic]

Originally Posted by Ray1013

The third time is the charm - I took it in with the same complaint - the service advisor called me and told me that the service manager got into my car and noted that my temp controls were set to "red" - I was flabbergasted - really? at 12 year plus BMW veteran had his temp controls set to red and THAT was the reason I was not getting cold air! HUH?

Well the car is STILL there after I explained my position - more to come!

I am totally confused with your wording... 3rd time was the charm because the problem was that you had your vent dials set to red? Or 3rd time was not the charm and the problem still persists?

[expidia]

I replied earlier that my ac is OK, but could be better. I find that the max setting works, but it is loud as hell.

One thing I also noticed (and it might have been mentioned already) that when its say on 72 auto no matter what setting I have the fan set on there is not a lot of air blowing (but maybe auto limits the speed if near the set temp).

I find if I want more air, but not the loud max setting . . if I take it off auto the fan reaches a higher speed, blows more air and without having to use max.

My x5 is black with black interior, so I expected it to run warmer.

BMW should have put some type of coating on the inside windshield though as on a hot day and the car is finally cooled down . . if I hold me hand an inch from the windshield I can feel a lot of heat radiating off it. Same for the moon roof, but I can slide the shade over that.

[Maverik259]

I find the auto function weird. On my benz auto worker like the AC in your house. It blew max cold or hot until the sensor reached the desired temp the. The fan slowed down. In the X5 being able to change the fan speeds in auto just doesn't make sense. Albeit I found that even when I did change them from driver to passenger nothing actually changed. So I'm even more confused now lol

[cobra006]

I have a 2015 X5. I was never happy with the AC performance either. It always felt weak, even compared to a Honda Fit! The air volume was never enough to cool the cabin, until I set the fan to at least 5 - 6 bars.
I went in for a regular service recently and they applied a software update. For what it's worth, the AC all of sudden seems to come to life now. The air volume is a lot higher even at 3 - 4 bar fan speed, and the air seems cooler too. It was as if a flow restrictor has been removed somewhere. It just feels much better and the way it should have been all along.
They did not say the software update was specifically to fix the AC, but that's what I noticed immediately after getting the car back.

[Kr0m3assass1n]

Originally Posted by cobra006

I have a 2015 X5. I was never happy with the AC performance either. It always felt weak, even compared to a Honda Fit! The air volume was never enough to cool the cabin, until I set the fan to at least 5 - 6 bars.
I went in for a regular service recently and they applied a software update. For what it's worth, the AC all of sudden seems to come to life now. The air volume is a lot higher even at 3 - 4 bar fan speed, and the air seems cooler too. It was as if a flow restrictor has been removed somewhere. It just feels much better and the way it should have been all along.
They did not say the software update was specifically to fix the AC, but that's what I noticed immediately after getting the car back.

@cobra006 can you please let us know what software version your F15 is running now?

This east coast summer is brutal with the pathetic A/C performance.

[MN2///M]

Originally Posted by Gilly1964

If your problem is volume of airflow it may be worth pointing out that my F15 does not operate like my old E53, which, when you put it in auto would do the lot - temp and air flow.

The F15 never seems to boost the airflow beyond the fan speed setting you select manually, even when you select auto.

My experience is that if you set the fan speed to max whilst the climate is set to auto, it will use all available air flow if it needs to, but if your fan speed is set to anything less than that, it won't and will peak at your selected setting.

Doesn't anyone ?

[Kr0m3assass1n]

Originally Posted by MN2///M

Doesn't anyone ?

This has already been discussed. And I've already RTFM. Still have horrible A/C performance compared to my F10.

I shouldnt have to crank my temperature down to the low 60s and run Auto mode on the highest fan speed to cool the car down.

[zinengineer]

I also have both a F10 and a F15. I also live in an area that has insufferable heat and humidity. While not doing any scientific experimentation or data collection, I have empirical evidence that would suggest this is all related to the volume of air that needs to be cooled.

I'm going to make a HUGE assumption that since my vehicles share the same engine (I've got a N55 in both vehicles) that the A/C units are very similar (if not the same) in both vehicles. However, the volume of air (and sheer mass of stuff inside the car - seats, etc) to be cooled in a X5 is way, way larger than in my 535. When I get in my 535 at the end of the day, it can be unbearably hot (almost to the point of not being able to hold the steering wheel). Using the MAX function will cool it down in a matter of minutes and by the time I'm home from my 25 minute commute, I've already dialed back the temperature and dropped off MAX.

Not so with the X5. It will cool down, but not as fast. My guess is that the AC unit (both compressor and fans) in the X5 is the same and there was no accounting for the larger volume of air and other stuff to be cooled down.

Is it the "worst" AC I've ever owned in a car? No way - I've lived on the Gulf Coast driving cars with NO AC.......that is unbearable

my 2c worth