Can we do anything to improve our AC?

[lukasbmw]

I just don't understand how a 4 cyl powered Minivan can have better AC then a 6cyl coupe. I'm sick of the shitty AC in my car and I'm sick of the power loss when you turn it on.

What can we do to:

A. Make the AC better
B. Lower the power loss from AC

[e9nine]

..I dunno why but the A/C in some cars (Jap cars in my experience) have always been very efficient and highly effective in comparison to e30s and MBenz. I dunno about the latest designs though..

Check your a/c system, makse sure everything is good and just deal with the simplicity of the antiquated e30 A.C system. I don't think we can manually adjust the thermostat and at the same time giving the a.c more power might be robbing the engine of power too..

[Rob]

you can update to r134

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4338&highlight=r134

[e9nine]

you can update to r134

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4338&highlight=r134

R12 is actually colder than R134 based on my experience

[Erick]

I have the r134 and hell freezes over when I put that on cold. True that it takes away all of the engine power, but you do get cold with that thing. However I am not a man of AC..... if it's too hot I still drive with windows down and if it's cold I (driving barefoot ) just put the heater on my feet 8)

[Spaz]

if i recall correctly from my ac training course i just took all ac is only designed to lower cabin temperature by 10 dergress celcuis. after it reaches that the ac compression clutch cycles to keep it at that temperature.

i wouldn;t know how to make it colder.

[e30Matt]

AC is pretty much a compromise. You can either have the equipment on your car, be cool, but lug around the extra weight/parasitic drag/rotating mass on the engine, or you can put up with just fan-blown air, no AC, and have less drag, a faster revving engine, etc. I'm gonna see what it feels like driving around for a week this summer w/out touching the AC and make my decision on whether or not to keep it.

[eliasmavs99]

AC is pretty much a compromise. You can either have the equipment on your car, be cool, but lug around the extra weight/parasitic drag/rotating mass on the engine, or you can put up with just fan-blown air, no AC, and have less drag, a faster revving engine, etc. I'm gonna see what it feels like driving around for a week this summer w/out touching the AC and make my decision on whether or not to keep it.

Very true. No one believes me when I tell them I took my AC off. It gets pretty rough in Houston around July/August, but I do it for my car.

[OOMPH!]

http://www.bmpdesign.com/bmw/parts/catalog/ac_13.shtml

[mgold]

Re: Can we do anything to improve our AC?

Move to Minnesota where you don't need AC, just make sure your heater works really well. Problem solved.

[JasonH]

Re: Can we do anything to improve our AC?

Move to Minnesota where you don't need AC, just make sure your heater works really well. Problem solved.

Are you nuts?!?!?

[lukasbmw]

Eventually I'll move to SD, but that won't be for 10 years or so, as it is eaiser to build business and invest in Real Estate in the Phoenix area. Withy 120o summers, you need AC here!

I think the solution may be to buy a summer beater...some Asian made car with cloth seats and artic A.C.

In AZ we don't garage our toys for winter, we have to do it in the summer.

[KenC]

Have you recently recharged your system with R12? It's much colder than the R134.

[AndreNY]

In AZ we don't garage our toys for winter, we have to do it in the summer.

hahaah so true you guys need a summer beater down there.

I aways tought that you cannot have A/C if you have a M50 in a E30?

[JRowe]

I understand that two different types of compressors came on our cars. One by bosch and one by denso. Is there much of a difference? I have heard rumors that the denso one may be more efficient/colder/less power robbing and maybe even smaller. As I mentioned, they are only rumors. I don't have first hand knowledge. Anyone car to weigh in?