Left Right Temperature Controls on F30?

I may be missing something , but it appears from the attached photo that the Climate Control System on the new 3 series no has longer has separate temperature controls for the driver and passenger sides. The prior 3's had separate controls as do all other brands in this price category. Seems strange since the model is being generally upgraded and this would go in the other direction.

BMW has two climate control systems, and those are the controls for the basic system. BMW only offers the advanced system on US e90 models (think this is true for all other US BMWs too), and I'm sure the same will be true for the f30. The advanced control panel offers dual temperature controls.

I think I prefer the e90's controls over the f30's. The older system used in the e90 had separate buttons for each vent location (floor/dash/defrost) while the newer system used in the f30 has a single button that you press repeatedly to cycle through all the vent combinations. Seems the former would be quicker and easier to use - fewer pushes and less need to look at the display. You also lose one possible combination (defrost+dash) in the new system. Granted, that's not a combo you often need but I have used it occasionally. On the other hand, the new system does allow the driver and passenger to set different vent combinations.

Originally Posted by sactoken

BMW has two climate control systems, and those are the controls for the basic system. BMW only offers the advanced system on US e90 models (think this is true for all other US BMWs too), and I'm sure the same will be true for the f30. The advanced control panel offers dual temperature controls.

I think I prefer the e90's controls over the f30's. The older system used in the e90 had separate buttons for each vent location (floor/dash/defrost) while the newer system used in the f30 has a single button that you press repeatedly to cycle through all the vent combinations. Seems the former would be quicker and easier to use - fewer pushes and less need to look at the display. You also lose one possible combination (defrost+dash) in the new system. Granted, that's not a combo you often need but I have used it occasionally. On the other hand, the new system does allow the driver and passenger to set different vent combinations.

I feel the opposite. You have to take your eyes off the road too much with the current climate control system to find the right buttons. One button should be easier. The real problem on the e9X is the controls are too low on the dash and the buttons are too similar. The quality of the controls and feel of the buttons is exemplary though. The F30 controls are higher on the dash which should help.

Photo on the right I now assume is U.S. system and clearly shows separate vent controls for left and right, and an improvement over the e90. But on the e90 you can press the multiple vent buttons and have air from top, middle and bottom all at same time. The new system single vent button will swith on each press, but since no one has a vehicle how do we know the programmed combinations?

Originally Posted by GerWil

Photo on the right I now assume is U.S. system and clearly shows separate vent controls for left and right, and an improvement over the e90. But on the e90 you can press the multiple vent buttons and have air from top, middle and bottom all at same time. The new system single vent button will swith on each press, but since no one has a vehicle how do we know the programmed combinations?

I was at BMW Welt in September and was able to sit in one of the new 1-series which had the same dual-control panel as shown for the f30. I was curious about what vent combinations were possible and asked the BMW rep about it. He switched the car on for me and I was able to try it out. It cycled through 6 different vent combinations, all potential combinations except for defrost+dash vents. I'm assuming the f30 will work the same.

You can also adjust the vent distribution through idrive.

Originally Posted by sactoken

I was at BMW Welt in September and was able to sit in one of the new 1-series which had the same dual-control panel as shown for the f30. I was curious about what vent combinations were possible and asked the BMW rep about it. He switched the car on for me and I was able to try it out. It cycled through 6 different vent combinations, all potential combinations except for defrost+dash vents. I'm assuming the f30 will work the same.

Thanks. It will probably be the same, but having separate vent contols should give sufficient flexibility.

How is the bdc programming in a car bmw e92 front and rear Please help me there Shashi in a car which Model 2006

I do not see the "Rest" feature on the new climate control system, which is my favorite aspect of this car (at least in the winter time).

Does anyone know if that's continuing on from the e90/e92?

Originally Posted by antidentite

I do not see the "Rest" feature on the new climate control system, which is my favorite aspect of this car (at least in the winter time).

Does anyone know if that's continuing on from the e90/e92?

What year is your e9X? The Rest feature disappeared when BMW put in separate controls for driver and passenger a few years ago. I had it on my 2008 but not my 2011.

Originally Posted by antidentite

I do not see the "Rest" feature on the new climate control system, which is my favorite aspect of this car (at least in the winter time).

Does anyone know if that's continuing on from the e90/e92?

BMW took that feature away from the E9X from MY2010 onwards.

EPA classifies e90 as a compact car.

Its pretty small, interior volume wise.

I always thought dual climate control systems in such little cars are a joke, and in my experience, they are.

The individual temperature settings don't work very well, especially when your right arm is within inches of your passenger's left arm...

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

What year is your e9X? The Rest feature disappeared when BMW put in separate controls for driver and passenger a few years ago. I had it on my 2008 but not my 2011.

I have an '07 e92. It has both the rest feature and dual climate controls.

I could care less about dual climate, but absolutely love the rest feature. I'm bummed to hear they got rid of it. Kinda like the rear window automatic pop-outs on my previous e46. I was sorry to see that go with the e92.

Oh well, I guess life is just one big compromise!

The REST button was eliminated but you can still activate Parked Car Ventilation in iDrive. It does the same thing, just requires an extra step to activate. I miss the button too.

Dual zone climate doesn't work very well especially in a small car. But of course to please Americans, the dual-zone automatic climate will be standard for the US (this was also the case with the E90).

Originally Posted by jwac

The REST button was eliminated but you can still activate Parked Car Ventilation in iDrive. It does the same thing, just requires an extra step to activate. I miss the button too.

They are not the same. Idrive ventilation keeps the car cool. Rest helps keep the car warm by running the electric water pump to circulate heat from the engine.

However I hear you can reprogram the all button to work exactly as rest did.

Originally Posted by mossman35

They are not the same. Idrive ventilation keeps the car cool. Rest helps keep the car warm by running the electric water pump to circulate heat from the engine.

I dunno, I've left the car parked in the winter and it pumped warm air in, but maybe it just wasn't cold enough outside to notice a difference.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Dual zone climate doesn't work very well especially in a small car. But of course to please Americans, the dual-zone automatic climate will be standard for the US (this was also the case with the E90).

It's called the "spouse" feature.

"Happy Wife, Happy Life" as they say.