Ventillation system question for an owner
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
2001 ML320
Ventillation system question for an owner
I have a question for those of you already in possession of your new E - of course a reply from a non-owner in the know would also be appreciated.
One very nice feature I always liked in BMWs was a seperate knob that would either open or close the upper large center air vent to outside fresh air. This would allow cool outside air to blow near your face while warmer heated air circulated by your feet. Most cars unfortunately, including my 2001 ML, don't have this feature. I find you end up keeping your feet cooler than you want so you don't make your face hotter that you like and get sleepy.
I see the new Es have a large diffuser type upper center vent with a roller switch that seems to go from red on one extreme to blue on the other. does this serve the function described above? Perhaps it is merely an additional vent to allow more air flow without high wind speed in the car.
Lastly, my ML has the annoying feature (or should I say lacks the feature) that you can't select all air to go to your feet. so if you just want warm air to go below you have to select the position for face AND feet and then manually close all 4 upper air vents! What a pain. I hope and assume this isn't the case with the E 4-zone thermotronic system but don't know for sure.
Thanks.
One very nice feature I always liked in BMWs was a seperate knob that would either open or close the upper large center air vent to outside fresh air. This would allow cool outside air to blow near your face while warmer heated air circulated by your feet. Most cars unfortunately, including my 2001 ML, don't have this feature. I find you end up keeping your feet cooler than you want so you don't make your face hotter that you like and get sleepy.
I see the new Es have a large diffuser type upper center vent with a roller switch that seems to go from red on one extreme to blue on the other. does this serve the function described above? Perhaps it is merely an additional vent to allow more air flow without high wind speed in the car.
Lastly, my ML has the annoying feature (or should I say lacks the feature) that you can't select all air to go to your feet. so if you just want warm air to go below you have to select the position for face AND feet and then manually close all 4 upper air vents! What a pain. I hope and assume this isn't the case with the E 4-zone thermotronic system but don't know for sure.
Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 18
From: Nashville, TN
2013 G550
The ventilation is 2 zone and 4 zone in the e320 and e500 respectively. I just sold a 528 and I can tell you that the ventilation system is MUCH better in the the new e.
In the front, you can basically point the air to whereever you like, including upper on one side and lower on the other and differing temps. As far as the center control on the bmw (5 series anyway), I was never that wild about the manual only heat/ac in the center.
Another thing that you will notice in comparing the two systems is that the e climate control is significantly quieter than the 5 series. You notcie it at all level but most signicantly when you are initially heating or cooling the car (e.g. when the fan is in the medium to hi range.
Finally, the e series, IMHO, has the best auto climate control i have had in a car. It does not burn or freeze you out before you have to override or your passenger complains!
In the front, you can basically point the air to whereever you like, including upper on one side and lower on the other and differing temps. As far as the center control on the bmw (5 series anyway), I was never that wild about the manual only heat/ac in the center.
Another thing that you will notice in comparing the two systems is that the e climate control is significantly quieter than the 5 series. You notcie it at all level but most signicantly when you are initially heating or cooling the car (e.g. when the fan is in the medium to hi range.
Finally, the e series, IMHO, has the best auto climate control i have had in a car. It does not burn or freeze you out before you have to override or your passenger complains!
