JoeM Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi Guys, Havent even taken delivery of my new car yet but have a question. Is it possible to replace the twist dial heater controls for a digital one, is it a simple plug and play or is it more complicated? Cheers Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 My thinking would be that it will be more complicated than a simple plug and play swap. Are the old ones electric or are they cable operated? This will determine how easy/difficult it will be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeM Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 My thinking would be that it will be more complicated than a simple plug and play swap. Are the old ones electric or are they cable operated? This will determine how easy/difficult it will be! Im thinking that to, nothing is ever that easy lol. I dont know what they are to be honest, im looking on Realoem but cant find the right section lol Edit, found it but it doesnt help lol: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?mode...hg=64&fg=20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johny1 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 It is not easy, as the complete dashboard needs to be removed including airbags, steering wheel and complete center consol. three new flap control motors need to be installed including new cables. The whole thing takes about 10 hours if you know what you are doing. I don't know what it would cost in the UK however, the retrofit kit costs €150 plus either new climate control for about €150 or one from ebay for about €100. I have installed one and it does work. It is not simply a plu n play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 So there you go, perhaps consider just putting up with what you have, looks like its very time consuming and not much of a DIY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 It's hugely complicated. You are better off going to one of those Air Conditioning retrofit places and just having manual air conditioning installed if that's what you want. If you really want the climate control then you should probably cancel your order for this car, get your deposit back and go for one of the thousands of cars for sale that already has it. Chances are if this car you're getting doesn't have climate control, it's a euro import and might not have a lot of other options either. You'll end up wanting to retrofit all of these which will end up costing you an arm and a leg.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johny1 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Its not that complicated, its just time consuming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeM Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thanks guys, I think I can cope with turning the knobs then I thought it would be a bit more complicated than plug and play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I thought climate was standard on E46's??? What model is yours? And i did my E36, and i seriously would not bother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDunlop Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 IIRC the car Lee was tempted to buy had dials instead of climate control. i thought it was standard also but apparently not on all cars? and its hugely complicated to do im afraid. id stick to turning knobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 the later 'es' spec cars and early 'i' (e.g. 318i) had this as standard. just the SE and upwards spec cars had climate unless specified as new, although it climate is a lot more widespread than e36s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Streek Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 My ES has the twiddly knobs, the so called automatic air con. Its no problem, these guys push a couple of buttons, where as we just twist a knob. It works fairly well and will keep the car at the temp you selct with the knob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
