Hot Climate package for X5

[azmiller1976]

Are there any Phoenix, Arizona X5 owners out there that can weigh in on whether or not they purchased their X5 with the #S0823 option (Hot Climate package)? Turbocharged engines run hot, real hot when they are running in the climate Phoenix, Arizona has and having a solid coolant system is vital. Germany manufacturers lack that ability, AC systems are all mediocre at best even on the higher end BMW's and Mercede products. So what options do potential X5 owners have to stay cool in a 2023-2024 BMW X5, make sure to include the 4 zone Climate package if the S0823 Hot Climate package (engine) to battle the hot turbo portion, what? Any input on those that have X5's in Phoenix and their experience with keeping cool after the X5 has sat at a grocery store at noon in July, and/or running on the freeway from Sunset Point to Phoenix in August when traffic at a standstill, its brutal if you have never experienced it, and that is why I am asking. Thank you for your time and support on this important inquiry. Mike

[unluky]

I also thought my X5 had a mediocre AC system when I bought it - till a member here pointed out I was using it wrong - like 90% of the people do. After that it worked great for me.

One thing many people do not know (because it is not intuitive at all) is that the fan button does indeed change the speed of the fan - when NOT in auto mode. In auto mode it changes the "intensity" not the fan speed. Set your system to AUTO and they press the fan increase button all the way to high and your system will wake from it's slumber and unleash it's full dragon fighting powers. You'll get the "rEaD tHe mAnUaL" posts when you bring it up, but I am a manual reader and even I missed it. Again - it is not intuitive at all, but so glad someone pointed out my stupidity so I pass it on when I can.

Now I am in MO which while it does see triple digits each summer, see's nothing like the heat you guys do. But we also see 80-95% humidity routinely which works a AC very hard too. One thing I will say - the ventilated seats are NOT worth it unless you don't have to give up something to get them. I HAD to have them and gave up some other options I wanted to get them and was severally disappointed in them. My last 2 cars before the X had AC seats - which is entirely a different thing and well worth it. They blow COLD AC air thru the seat - not just a small fan blowing cabin temp air. Do they help a shade? Maybe. Do they get so cold they make my ass ache like my old ones did? Not even close. I actually never use them because I just forget because they are so useless to me.

[JABCAT]

It gets plenty hot here in TX too, I think we had 3 consecutive months of daily triple-digit temps. I also lived in Phx for 4 years & NV for 2. There is nothing wrong or inadequate with the BMW a/c system.

I will agree with the above that the ventilated seats are not worth it. Even on high in my wife's X3MC they don't do anything.

[tturedraider]

I’m not aware of any BMW models for the American market that have not come standard from the factory with the Hot Climate option for well over 20 years now. If you plug the VIN into www.bimmer.work or www.mdecoder.com near the end of the equipment list you will see “823 Hot-climate Version Heißland-ausführung”. As well since roughly the E46 3er BMW air conditioning systems have been much improved and up to the task in the United States. They got even better with the E9x generation.

[azmiller1976]

This is great stuff, really appreciate your time and insight on this, this definitely changes the needle for me to really consider the X5. I spoke to an X5 owner and he shared something very similar to what you shared and stated not to give up on the X5 and to get the logic on how to use the AC system and I would be more than happy. So from what you are saying validates with person spoke to, so thank you again game changer!

[JABCAT]

I set the temp at 73 in both my BMW Ms, and leave it. Doesn't matter if it's 105 or 35, the vehicles keep the interior where I set it.

[azmiller1976]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I set the temp at 73 in both my BMW Ms, and leave it. Doesn't matter if it's 105 or 35, the vehicles keep the interior where I set it.

Nice, I will have to remember that, great call out, thank you! )

[azmiller1976]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

It gets plenty hot here in TX too, I think we had 3 consecutive months of daily triple-digit temps. I also lived in Phx for 4 years & NV for 2. There is nothing wrong or inadequate with the BMW a/c system.

I will agree with the above that the ventilated seats are not worth it. Even on high in my wife's X3MC they don't do anything.

That's what I am looking for thank you very much for sharing that, means a lot coming from someone that has lived here, you know how it gets, heat is unforgiving!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I set the temp at 73 in both my BMW Ms, and leave it. Doesn't matter if it's 105 or 35, the vehicles keep the interior where I set it.

Originally Posted by azmiller1976

Nice, I will have to remember that, great call out, thank you! )

Originally Posted by azmiller1976

That's what I am looking for thank you very much for sharing that, means a lot coming from someone that has lived here, you know how it gets, heat is unforgiving!

Just an extra little fyi. I live in Chicago now, but I lived most of my life in Texas. I don’t use the automatic setting on the HVAC, because for me it doesn’t keep me comfortable all the time, because in a moving vehicle the angle of the sun changes all the time, depending on the time of day and the orientation of the car. So I run my a/c and heat in manual mode and adjust the temperature manually to keep myself comfortable. In particular I find in the summer when the sun is bearing down through the windows I will turn down the temperature. I’m also very old school, so I’m sure that plays a role. I’m on my eighth BMW and I’ve never had one where the automatic temperature could adequately compensate for the changing conditions throughout the day to my satisfaction.