[joshua13lee]

I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, but I still have to give BMW some props for the improvements they made to the new chassis. The ride feels so much more refined than my 2018 340i. The interior is definitely roomier with better materials throughout. I do miss the physical A/C button. It's super annoying to have to go into the menus to turn it on or off. I also like the fact that you don't have to code fold in mirrors anymore, and I like that when the engine is still cold, it says cold near the temperature gauge.

Other than the new design, I'm really looking forward to the new M3/M4! It's going to be interesting what they did with this new and more capable chassis.

[Cortexiphan]

Why would anyone turn off AC? Really, just curious. I have an A/C on off button, but I don't think I've ever used it.

[joshua13lee]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Why would anyone turn off AC? Really, just curious. I have an A/C on off button, but I don't think I've ever used it.

I sometimes turn it off just because it isn't necessary. Just something I do in all of my vehicles

[bacampbe]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Why would anyone turn off AC? Really, just curious. I have an A/C on off button, but I don't think I've ever used it.

I turn it off in my m240i convertible when driving with the top down in cool weather. This is to try to squeeze more heat out of the heater. My old Miata had a nuclear heater that was perfect for this purpose; the bimmer not so much. It may just be the vents are further away.

I'm not sure if I have ever turned off the A/C in our F30 328i.

[alpinewhite3]

Ive never turned off the a/c button a single time in my 20 years of driving. In the summer-it's obvious why you would want the compressor on and in the winter you need it otherwise your windows will fog up instantly.

Btw- I know the G20 chassis is great but what do you think of the "new" steering and the size of the g20?

[joshua13lee]

Originally Posted by alpinewhite3

Ive never turned off the a/c button a single time in my 20 years of driving. In the summer-it's obvious why you would want the compressor on and in the winter you need it otherwise your windows will fog up instantly.

Btw- I know the G20 chassis is great but what do you think of the "new" steering and the size of the g20?

Yeah one of the first things I noticed was the increase in overall size. It definitely shows when going into and out of turns. I'm hoping that the M division works some magic to make the car feel shorter or compensate for the length. I feel like the steering is something that we may have to come to terms with. Electronic steering system is getting better at least.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by joshua13lee

I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, but I still have to give BMW some props for the improvements they made to the new chassis. The ride feels so much more refined than my 2018 340i. The interior is definitely roomier with better materials throughout. I do miss the physical A/C button. It's super annoying to have to go into the menus to turn it on or off. I also like the fact that you don't have to code fold in mirrors anymore, and I like that when the engine is still cold, it says cold near the temperature gauge.

Other than the new design, I'm really looking forward to the new M3/M4! It's going to be interesting what they did with this new and more capable chassis.

My view is that there should be buttons/switches for those features that one will want to adjust while driving. Everything else, go ahead and put it in the IDrive...I don't care. But I don't want to have to utilize IDrive when I am actually driving.

My 530e is pretty perfect in this regard. Physical buttons/switches for HVAC, seat adjustments, and volume control. Plus the seven programmable buttons.

In my view, BMW has gone backwards toward all the horrible infotainment systems that are out there.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Why would anyone turn off AC? Really, just curious. I have an A/C on off button, but I don't think I've ever used it.

Why would you have it on if not necessary?

[Seaford]

Unless BMW have donesome alchemy surely running the A/C hits fuel economy? As such I only have it on when it's needed, which isn't very often here in the UK!

However, unless things have changed, I believe the A/C should be run occasionally to keep it in good working order - something to do with the fluid settling?

[Tam the Bam]

Originally Posted by Andybird

Unless BMW have donesome alchemy surely running the A/C hits fuel economy? As such I only have it on when it's needed, which isn't very often here in the UK!

However, unless things have changed, I believe the A/C should be run occasionally to keep it in good working order - something to do with the fluid settling?

Agree, here in the U.K. (especially here in Scotland) we don’t need it for many months to cope with high temps. However, with the wet weather we get we do need it most of the year in order to help with condensation in the car.

My preference is to leave it running all the time for reasons above and in order to maintain the automatic climate control. As for impacting on fuel economy, yes it does, but my heavy right foot moments probably impact more!

Agree a/c needs to be run in order to maintain operability. I had my last BMW from new and kept it for over 6 years. A/c on all the time and never had any issues with it.

[Liquid_Ice]

Agree on the lack of an A/C button - but what I did was "bookmark" the menu in the HVAC controls that has the A/C button to one of the "Radio Preset" buttons - so a quick press of the button takes you to the menu, then you uncheck or check the box for A/C. Not as convenient as a single button press, but not as bad as going through the menus looking for it.

Did the same thing for the Tire Pressure / Temperature display, the M340i's "Performance" info (because it shows Oil temperature instead of the water temp on the dash), and one for Apple Carplay.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by premier3is

Why would you have it on if not necessary?

It's always necessary. In summer, cooling. In winter, to avoid condensation.
It's not meant to be turned off.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

It's always necessary. In summer, cooling. In winter, defogging.
It's not meant to be turned off.

Yea it is. That's why the option to turn it off is there. I don't need to burn extra gas with the AC on when unnecessary, unless I'm missing the point here...?

[530iDriver]

I had a Hecho en Mexico 330i loaner recently. Nice car overall.

Found the fit and finish to be very good in spite of the "3" being the first number in the VIN.

Lots of interior hard plastics where you don't see but still can touch...Bottom of door cards, center console, lower dash.

Reasonably comfortable leatherette sport seats but on the hard/narrow side.

Still dislike the placing and size of the HVAC controls. Clearly a cost cutting measure.

Nice sounding stock stereo.

This one had the standard round gages which I find far more readable and easy on the eyes than the weird reversed digital gages part of the Live Cockpit Professional package.

If you get the standard gauges (Shared with the X1 and X2) you get ID6 which I vastly prefer over ID7 but you do get penalized with a smaller infotainment screen and lower resolution graphics.

Apple Car Play... Still not convinced.

This car should have electric steering wheel adjustment with memory.

Solid build quality inside and out.

Only problem was a center speaker dash with an annoying buzzing sound that was made far worse when the driving experience mode was set to Sport. The fake engine sound is routed through the stereo speakers.

Top notch engine and transmission. Amazing fuel economy. BMW really has the formula right with their smooth, powerful but frugal B-Series 4 pot turbos.

Enjoyed the handling. It's a big car vs F30 and E90 but takes turns with alacrity.

Ride quality is excellent but on the former side.

Not a bad car and if forced to downsize from my G30, would take one.

Now the cabin appointments and materials on the 5 Series are a cut above G20 as it should be.

It is a revelation after spending a few days in the G20 and getting back on the G30.

I would say a slightly pre-loved G20 330i is a very good proposition,

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by premier3is

Yea it is. That's why the option to turn it off is there. I don't need to burn extra gas with the AC on when unnecessary, unless I'm missing the point here...?

Yes, the point is that even though the AC is "on", the compressor is actually turning on and off as needed to maintain humidity levels and general comfort levels (and avoid musky odors). Keeping the AC on was a foreign concept for me as well, until I started driving BMWs, when I was advised to hit the Auto button and only adjust temperature, and let the system do its thing. I dont even adjust where the air comes out of any more. I hit Auto, and set temp, which usually is 74 in the winter and 72 in the summer. No need to fiddle around with the dials, best feature ever!

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Yes, the point is that even though the AC is "on", the compressor is actually turning on and off as needed to maintain humidity levels and general comfort levels (and avoid musky odors). Keeping the AC on was a foreign concept for me as well, until I started driving BMWs, when I was advised to hit the Auto button and only adjust temperature, and let the system do its thing. I dont even adjust where the air comes out of any more. I hit Auto, and set temp, which usually is 74 in the winter and 72 in the summer. No need to fiddle around with the dials, best feature ever!

But it's continuously burning gas since AC is on correct?

[Tam the Bam]

Originally Posted by premier3is

But it's continuously burning gas since AC is on correct?

Yes, it will impact in MPG but how much?...... probably not as much as my mad right foot moments I would guess and as said above it is just so more convenient to let it control the temp....

But we are all entitled to our views and how we drive our cars.....

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by Tam the Bam

Yes, it will impact in MPG but how much?...... probably not as much as my mad right foot moments I would guess and as said above it is just so more convenient to let it control the temp....

But we are all entitled to our views and how we drive our cars.....

Right, and it also feels like it's causing a strain to the vehicle when AC is turned on. You can feel the difference when you turn it off.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by premier3is

But it's continuously burning gas since AC is on correct?

Yes, when its on, but its not always on, and most times its not running at 100%. The gas usage is so negligible, its not worth sweating over.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by Tam the Bam

Yes, it will impact in MPG but how much?...... probably not as much as my mad right foot moments I would guess and as said above it is just so more convenient to let it control the temp....

But we are all entitled to our views and how we drive our cars.....

Yeah about 1-2 mpg maximum. Another reason to leave it on-If you run the ventilation system without the a/c condensor on you will start to grow mold in the system real quick. You will have a musty order coming out of the vents when you turn on the car-prob within 10k miles.

[Nico4990]

It is day and night compared to the F30/31

[TheRetroGuy]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

It's always necessary. In summer, cooling. In winter, to avoid condensation.
It's not meant to be turned off.

Actually it dries the air too much in the winter, I haven't measured the humidity level but can feel it in my throat and sinuses when humidity is too low (YMMV). Also viruses like Coronoavirus love low humidity levels.



But my solution for lack of A/C off button is to say "Hey BMW Turn Off A/C". Works great.