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

[iconoclast]

IIRC you can code the seat ventilation but not the intensity of the system itself.

[efloyd]

I purchased a used 2015 BMW X5 50i back in June of this year from a Mitsubishi dealership down in Jacksonville FL with about 59k mi on it. Absolutely love the car, all options. Came out of 2013 535i xDrive.

Around Jul/Aug, I began noticing the AC wasn't quite putting out what one would expect, especially on sunny 90+ degree days. The issue presented itself fully when I drove with 3 friends to a funeral 2 hours away, around 3pm on a blazing afternoon. We began the journey, and my passengers began complaining. The air just wasn't getting all that cold.

The air did get a bit cooler as we drove, but about 45 min into the ride, it seemed as if air stopped flowing out of the vents. Even with the fan on the highest setting. You could hear the same blowing within the dash, but no air flow. Even on max AC, the fans would roar, but no air. Here we were in dresses and suits, headed to a funeral. Pretty embarrassing, and I felt awful for my friends.

It's occurred multiple times since then. I've noticed that, in evenings, when the sun isn't bearing down so hard, the AC seems fine. It seems that, when I crank up the car in the blistering sun, the AC never cools off, and no air comes out of the vents. Almost as if it has something to do with a temp sensor that is telling the car it's much cooler out than it really is...it's odd.

So, last week, my front end began roaring when coasting (when I take my foot off the gas). Took it in last week, and it was the front left differential. I also had them check my AC, and they said "it was a pound too low".

$6200 later for the front differential, cabin filter, oil change and AC service, it seems to be putting out much colder air, like freezing me out cold. It's now late Sept, and I'm not sure if I'll get another 90+ degree day to see if the low air flow issue still persists.

[agentorange]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Valid question, and I totally understand why you are asking.

Basically, the only next step that I could take was a class action lawsuit. BMW NA continued to fall back on their language that the system was "working as designed" and that there was nothing to replace. Since this version of the X5 has been in production for many years there is no way that they could admit that there is a wide spread issue.

At the end of the day, I just ran out of time, energy and resources to continue to fight them. I took the money because it had no strings attached. I didn't have to sign any type of NDA or indemnification. It doesn't stop me from pursuing things in the future and, if a class action suit were to start, I would be one of the first to sign up.

BTW, we got 2 checks because we have 2 X5s (got them both on the same day).

^^^This x1000%. If you go to court and the "working as designed" thing comes up, you are basically screwed. I had been thinking of getting a CPO X5d fairly soon, but I think it's off the list now.

Just for info, BMW are not the only luxury car company to foul up on the A/C. My wife used to drive a 2014 Cadillac SRX and it exhibited largely the same issues that have been described here. The A/C simply lacks capacity, probably because it is the same unit fitted to a CTS or something. Our SA admitted that SRX A/C complaints was something he heard a lot. Surprise, surprise, ours was also operating within GM's parameters. It was still inadequate after having the windshield and front windows treated with SunTek, and shutting off the rear only helped so much.

For contrast, and much to my surprise, the two Jaguars I have owned had great A/C systems, probably because they were designed during the Ford era. My 2008 XKR was a meat locker inside 3 miles in 110°F weather having been parked outside in Vegas. I think it had the A/C from an F150 SuperCrew. It's a shame that Ford didn't engineer the water pump for my 5.0 XJ as well, but that's another story.

[DuSh]

On the positive side, has anyone noticed how in the cold days when you just started the car, set temp to 84 and began your morning commute - the HVAC doesn't output cold air until it's warm enough? In my previous cars HVAC would blow air no matter what - freezing me for the first 10 minutes until engine warms up. In x5 it only blows when temp is warm enough. I would say it's a first car I have that really controls the air output temp. Excellent execution and engineering masterpiece. If only other brands can adopt this smart system.

[Chef NOLA]

Live in Georgia with 4 months of sunny 90+ temps. The fundamental problem with the X5 is the large black dashboard which acts as major heatsink. I always use a front windshield cover which helps when parking, but the dash definitely heats up when driving long distance in the sun. You can almost fry an egg on it.

No AC can keep up with this situation. On hot driving days, I direct the AC fan through the middle vents with higher fan speeds right onto body and face - keeps me cool.

[Kr0m3assass1n]

This may be buried in the many, many pages of this thread but I've been turning rear Climate off altogether and just running front system. My X5 was also having the same issue keeping the interior cool but that has helped quite a bit. This also increases fan speed and air seems a lot cooler even though I didn't adjust the temperature gauge.

I have a toddler in the back, who is actually keeping cooler even with rear climate off on hot days because the car seems to be cooling more overall. Weird but true.

So odd, but it's worked for me. Worth a shot for so many people to try this because there's not many other options left.

[agentorange]

Originally Posted by Kr0m3assass1n

This may be buried in the many, many pages of this thread but I've been turning rear Climate off altogether and just running front system. My X5 was also having the same issue keeping the interior cool but that has helped quite a bit. This also increases fan speed and air seems a lot cooler even though I didn't adjust the temperature gauge.

I have a toddler in the back, who is actually keeping cooler even with rear climate off on hot days because the car seems to be cooling more overall. Weird but true.

So odd, but it's worked for me. Worth a shot for so many people to try this because there's not many other options left.

We could kludge the A/C on our departed Cadillac in the same way, if you wanted to go deaf when the fan cranked. The fact remains the X5 system is lacking in capacity for the hotter parts of the US. They failed, it's that simple for me.

I have no doubt that an effective A/C system could be fitted to the X5. GM managed it on my 2001 Tahoe, and I bet the cabin volume was about the same. I recall driving past the the big thermometer at Baker, California, with it reading 115°F or more and freezing my whatsits off with the fan on low. It was an R-134a system, so all those that tell you it can't be done with the new refrigerant are full of it.

[Ex_Stig]

Adios X5. Hello M3 CS!

Got a smokin deal in this last night that included me getting out of my X5 lease a year early. I definitely won't miss the crappy AC system.

[LeopardM3]

This thread has been simultaneously helpful and disappointing. I just bought a CPO 2015 X5 50i, and it's only winter, so I won't really get to test out its abilities until summer comes. But since it get super hot here in NOLA, I'll definitely have a chance to see if mine is one of the "buggy" ones, and I'll turn off rear A/C when I get it, I almost never have passengers back there anyway.

I do still like BMW, but I find it funny when people are brand whores. BMW is far from perfect, as this thread indicates. It's absolutely unacceptable that so many people should have such serious issues in a $90K SUV with something as important as A/C. But, it happens, and while there are a lot of things to LOVE about our cars, there are also issues like this, which are a bummer.

BTW, OP, congrats on the M3 CS! I may pick one up in the future, although my wife has said I have to finish fixing my E30 318is first and wait a couple years. I have 3 cars, so she'll yell at me if I try and get a 4th soon.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

Adios X5. Hello M3 CS!

Got a smokin deal in this last night that included me getting out of my X5 lease a year early. I definitely won't miss the crappy AC system.

Congratulations!

[LeopardM3]

Originally Posted by Mentat

After the first day, the first step is to order a small sponge, that it will better isolate the temperature sensor from the evaporator.

Now I wait for this little part.

Cum a fost pina la urma? S-a resolvat?

[freitz]

How wide spread is this f15 AC issue? Was looking at two CPO 2016 X5's now questioning my choice.

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by freitz

How wide spread is this f15 AC issue? Was looking at two CPO 2016 X5's now questioning my choice.

IMO, all X5s have the same AC components. The problem is just more prevalent in hot weather areas.

[freitz]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

IMO, all X5s have the same AC components. The problem is just more prevalent in hot weather areas.

I’m in Maryland and was about to pull trigger on two 2016 x5.

We have got summers not as hot as Arizona but it gets hot here.

Was considering these or a cayenne. Both same price on uses market. Cayenne better warranty.

[LeopardM3]

Originally Posted by freitz

How wide spread is this f15 AC issue? Was looking at two CPO 2016 X5's now questioning my choice.

I mean if it's a CPO, and it's a 2016 (meaning you likely still have free maintenance on it too), you should be fine. If you start noticing the issue, take it in, have them fix it.

If you've read through the thread, you now know what the common diagnosis and root causes are, so you can at least tell them/help them with what the fix will be.

[ord2koa]

you have to disable the rear AC controls in iDrive. Once done it will Kick the front blower motor even higher. You will hear it actually ramp up. I see 5 degree colder air temps in the front seats immediately

Thanks for posting this. We're in Florida, CPO 2018 X5 was delivered a week ago from up north, and we couldn't believe the a/c wasn't as cold as my 8 year old X3. I was thinking we'd have to take it in until I read your post.

Disabled the rear AC controls and as you said, a few seconds later it was working as expected.

THANKS!

[turboawd]

Will tinting the windshield help? It seems a lot of heat radiates from the windshield.

[HJ]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Will tinting the windshield help? It seems a lot of heat radiates from the windshield.

At first I had only the two front windows ceramic tinted thinking it would help but it was useless waste of money better just getting regular tints at half the cost to achieve the look if thats what your going for. Last year I ended up getting everything ceramic tinted from windows, sunroof and windshield and it made a big difference it would be cool and comfy at just 1-2 bar fan speed where back then I would blast to the fullest and still be sweating

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by HJ

At first I had only the two front windows ceramic tinted thinking it would help but it was useless waste of money better just getting regular tints at half the cost to achieve the look if thats what your going for. Last year I ended up getting everything ceramic tinted from windows, sunroof and windshield and it made a big difference it would be cool and comfy at just 1-2 bar fan speed where back then I would blast to the fullest and still be sweating

What percentage tint did you put on the windshield?

[HJ]

Originally Posted by turboawd

What percentage tint did you put on the windshield?

I have 35% llumar pinnacle all around and 70% 3m crystaline on windshield which is barely noticeable during day and have no visual effects during night

[BimmerTy]

Originally Posted by HJ

I have 35% llumar pinnacle all around and 70% 3m crystaline on windshield which is barely noticeable during day and have no visual effects during night

Did you put 35% on the sunroof as well?

[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?