Frustrated at Potential 05 E500
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From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
Frustrated at Potential 05 E500
Hello,
I ordered an 05 E500 for early Dec. delivery recently. It's coming w/ App package (w/ Burl walnut), Premium, Keyless Go, Parktronic, Vented Seats.
I'm reading, and seeing that the 05s are being decontented. I have a serious concern w/ the center vent cooling/heating dial not being included. I've used this on my BMWs and it seems that this feature had been removed for 05--something I was very much looking forward too.
I've even grown to the idea of the new armrest design and I've never really used the REST very much on my 540, so I don't even mind that being gone (or the active charcoal, as I'm sure it's still filtered somehow). Has anyone indeed confirmed that the upper vents on the 05s w/o the dial would not be able to keep a different (cooler) temp from the foot vents?
I'm now considering a used 03 (possibly retrofitting NAV w/ Steve from MBenzNL-if possible) or an 04, but I really wanted the options that I've ordered.
Anyway, has anyone looked at retrofitting that center dial? I'm hoping that the hardware can be reinstalled into the car.. since it doesn't seem like it should be related to the COMMAND/fiber optic system. Hopefully, it's just a standalone unit that can be installed--as long as it isn't into the hundreds/thousands of dollars, I'd be willing to retrofit it.
I ordered an 05 E500 for early Dec. delivery recently. It's coming w/ App package (w/ Burl walnut), Premium, Keyless Go, Parktronic, Vented Seats.
I'm reading, and seeing that the 05s are being decontented. I have a serious concern w/ the center vent cooling/heating dial not being included. I've used this on my BMWs and it seems that this feature had been removed for 05--something I was very much looking forward too.
I've even grown to the idea of the new armrest design and I've never really used the REST very much on my 540, so I don't even mind that being gone (or the active charcoal, as I'm sure it's still filtered somehow). Has anyone indeed confirmed that the upper vents on the 05s w/o the dial would not be able to keep a different (cooler) temp from the foot vents?
I'm now considering a used 03 (possibly retrofitting NAV w/ Steve from MBenzNL-if possible) or an 04, but I really wanted the options that I've ordered.
Anyway, has anyone looked at retrofitting that center dial? I'm hoping that the hardware can be reinstalled into the car.. since it doesn't seem like it should be related to the COMMAND/fiber optic system. Hopefully, it's just a standalone unit that can be installed--as long as it isn't into the hundreds/thousands of dollars, I'd be willing to retrofit it.
Last edited by aomE500; Oct 29, 2004 at 09:15 AM.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I keep my temp set at 73 year round, and find it comfortable here in NY, While my car has the blue dial, I have shut it from time to time to see if I can really notice a difference particularly in the winter, and I personally don't, so it may be an unecessary worry.
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From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
Hi!
Thanks for the replies.
Could you do me a favor, next time your'e in your car, can you set the temp. to say 82 (so most of the heat should go to the floor), then turn the dial to cool, if it works like my 540 did, the floor should be warm, but the head area should be much cooler.
I suppose the real question is: for people w/o the center dial, when you have the temp set high, is there anyway to prevent you face from burning up too?
I remember some cars I've rented, the top vents always stayed a few degrees cooler than the foot vents, if the temp is above a certain degree and the foot and top vents are activated. Perhaps that's what MB did w/ the 05s?
When it's cold outside, I like keeping the foot heat on for a while.
Thanks for the replies.
Could you do me a favor, next time your'e in your car, can you set the temp. to say 82 (so most of the heat should go to the floor), then turn the dial to cool, if it works like my 540 did, the floor should be warm, but the head area should be much cooler.
I suppose the real question is: for people w/o the center dial, when you have the temp set high, is there anyway to prevent you face from burning up too?
I remember some cars I've rented, the top vents always stayed a few degrees cooler than the foot vents, if the temp is above a certain degree and the foot and top vents are activated. Perhaps that's what MB did w/ the 05s?
When it's cold outside, I like keeping the foot heat on for a while.
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From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
The 05's do not have the center dial temperature adjustment. I have it on my E39 BMW and also on my 04 E320 wagon. Had it on the 01 S500 I drove until August. But I never adjusted the settings. Would it be nice to have the ability to do so? I guess so. But it is not that big a deal. I am very happy with other things on 05 as opposed to 04 -- like the ability to play mp3 files off a DVD. Is it possible to retrofit a new ventilation system? We have learned that almost anything is possible for a price, and I suppose that an 04 vent system could fit into an 05, but its got to be quite expensive, and I wouldn't do it.
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From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
Thanks!
OK, then here's probably a better question...
What should I look forward to in an 05 that I CAN'T get in an 04/03? Or that is "better" than the prior years.
I'll probably create a new thread for this one too.
OK, then here's probably a better question...
What should I look forward to in an 05 that I CAN'T get in an 04/03? Or that is "better" than the prior years.
I'll probably create a new thread for this one too.
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Don't all modern cars, or at least modern luxury cars, automatically deliver cooler air at face level than at foot level when the cabin requires heating? That seems a fairly basic feature of any integrated climate control system, and not one limited to BMW, although I can't say for sure whether my '03 W211 works that way without manual setting of the center vent. I haven't experimented, but I sure haven't noticed overly warm air blowing on my face even when the cabin is being heated. I would notice it because I wear soft contacts.
One big advantage of the '05 and '04 over the '03 E500 (or so I've been told) is the seven-speed transmission. Another advantage is that with an '05, M-B has had two years of production to sort out the new-model bugs.
One big advantage of the '05 and '04 over the '03 E500 (or so I've been told) is the seven-speed transmission. Another advantage is that with an '05, M-B has had two years of production to sort out the new-model bugs.
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Thread Starter
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From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
Good poing about the 7G Tranny (hopefully, this won't have any bugs down the road).
It would be great if someone could definitively tell me if setting the temp to say 83 on the 05s E500 w/ automatic AC will deliver warm air, but relatively cooler air up top.
It would be great if someone could definitively tell me if setting the temp to say 83 on the 05s E500 w/ automatic AC will deliver warm air, but relatively cooler air up top.
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From: Lakewood, CA
2004 E500, 2001 Porsche Boxster
If it's kept on the white part (neutral) then it should always stay w/ the auto temp settings... so it shouldn't need adjusting if you don't want to. Though I'd say that the auto temp control on my 323 and 540 didn't really seem that good (I always had to adjust the temperature). I would have to make it colder on hot days, then warm it up, then on cold days I'd have to make it really warm, then cool it down back to 69 or so--otherwise it just took forever for the car to get to the right temp.
I have another car w/o that feature and everytime I have the heat on full blast for the floor, my head gets really hot too and I feel sick after a while, so I have to turn the heat down--which then results in my feet not warming up quickly enough.
I have another car w/o that feature and everytime I have the heat on full blast for the floor, my head gets really hot too and I feel sick after a while, so I have to turn the heat down--which then results in my feet not warming up quickly enough.
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
i really like the cool air vent. bmw one was somewhat lame as it had warm and cool air, didnt work so well. i notice it is more usefull in winter months as if you have it set to 73 or so, warm air will be pumping out but you get some cooler air blow in your face. keeps it less stuffy. great feature. retrofit might mean plumbing change.. might be a pain. you can buy my car if you want 
I have all the options and mods listed below. pretty much all options except phone and distronic, which are a waste of money in m option and many others. im looking to get a new noble..
I have all the options and mods listed below. pretty much all options except phone and distronic, which are a waste of money in m option and many others. im looking to get a new noble..
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From: CT and FL
SL500 E320 ML350
Originally Posted by aomE500
Retrofitting the center dial?
It comes in really handy when when heat is on and I my face doesn't burn up.
It comes in really handy when when heat is on and I my face doesn't burn up.
If it's a "temp control" it's news to me. Can one of you clarify? Thanks.
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Originally Posted by benzboy
I'm not sure that I understand. I have an '03 E500. I have the "blue dial". I thought it's a thumbwheel that will restrict the amount of air flow to the center top vent? If it's a "temp control" it's news to me. Can one of you clarify? Thanks.
If it's a "temp control" it's news to me. Can one of you clarify? Thanks.wheel goes up (blue) = cool air come out
wheel goes down (no blue) = regular air come out (as set)
thats it. not as noticeable when cool air is coming out of the other vents to begin with. As metioned, turn your heat up, then open the cool air vent, and you will notice that the center vents will blow cool air while the side and floor vents will have warm air. as also stated, just to keep the hot stuffy air out of your face. the wheel does not restrict airflow at all. tempature only
