2008 BMW X5 4.8i: Automatic Interior Venting

My 2007 Volvo S60 has a somewhat similar feature, but it is used to dry the air ducts to prevent mold growth. If the AC was being used, the car will operate its climate control fan for about half an hour after the car has been off for twenty minutes. So, it's really not similar at all, but the effect is similar if I return to the car within an hour. Unlike the X5, there is no control over the setting, but I have never had to endure that awful AC stench in this car.

"It occurred to me that this is a feature that only becomes possible when a car has a control interface as powerful as iDrive"
 
Wrong. The previous generation Audi A8 had a similar feature that replaced the glass moonroof with a solar sensing panel that powered the HVAC system and cooled the car when parked. That car did not have MMI or any other fancy interface.

Doug - If the driver is familiar with iDrive, the automatic vent feature is actually pretty easy to set. Yet other, more frequently used aspects in iDrive -- like trying to find points of interest (POI) in the navigation system -- are infuriating. Hence, the general rants about iDrive.
 
Chavis - True, but the X5's system is programmable -- Brent

There is the more useful feature that most of European cars lack. It's called remote engine starter.

The E38 also had this feature. It's not new.

I think the old Mazda 929S had something similar to what chavis10 describes in the A8.

I use this feature all the time - it's on all 2007+ iDrive-equipped BMWs. It literally takes maybe 5-10 seconds to set. Combined with the remote window/moonroof opening, the interior is nice and pleasant by the time I get in.

stephen987 is correct. The '92-'95 929 would use solar cells to power the climate control fan to cool the interior, or trickle-charge the battery depending on temperature. Of course, the 929 and 626 also had the oscillating center vents to distribute air throughout the cabin.

I believe the A8 had dedicated fans in the moonroof shade that were powered by solar panels. I do not think the regular climate-control fans were used. In this sense, it was akin to an attic fan for a house - drawing hot air up through the moonroof and pulling fresh air through cracked windows. At least, that's how I thought it worked...I remember C/D commented on that feature when they did a long-term test (or was a comparo?)

I was really happy to know that I could open the windows with the remote on our Accord. Now some of the air can vent out before I get in it. Very useful.

This sounds kinda cool. Can you program it for several days in advance? Can you do a temperature test? Put a thermometer in there and measure the high tempt after 4 hours in the sun, and see how low it goes with the fan on and how long it takes to reach that coolest temp.

This is why cars have remote start. Granted you cant use it if you are inside a mall but if its really hot outside simply venting the car isnt going to work. You need AC to really cool a car down on a hot summer day. I dont think you need idrive to have this type of capability, you can program all types of features in cars with nav screens and even in some cars without nav.

"This is why cars have remote start."
 
As expensive as fuel is these days letting a car idle with the A/C on isnt a smart idea, 0 MPG!

Electronic self-timers on German cars? Sounds like a bunch of dead batteries. Better keep the AAA membership up!

"Electronic self-timers on German cars? Sounds like a bunch of dead batteries. Better keep the AAA membership up!"
 
BMWs have electronic battery management systems. If the charge level is not high enough it won't activate features like this.

"As expensive as fuel is these days letting a car idle with the A/C on isnt a smart idea, 0 MPG!"
 
I am willing to burn 1/10 of a gallon of gas to get into a comfortable car on a 95 degree day. In the mid atlantic region you dont need to use remote start 75% of the time. I'd rather have the option to use it and not use it then to not have it at all. Auto venting is good but a while back we had a post about how remote start was a senseless gimmick.

iDrive? We don't need no stinkin' iDrive!
 
Like mjolnir said, this is nothing new for BMW - my '99 540i had it. It really helped on hot days - especially when combined with the feature that enabled me to open all of the windows with the key fob as I approached the car.