Ventilation menu within iDrive question

[OzCraig]

Hi guys,

I have had a search but without any real luck so I thought I would ask here.
It's getting a bit chilly downunder so I thought I'd have a hunt around for ways to get the cabin a little warmer before getting in and according to one of the many YouTube experts the car 'should' run a fan and heater coil when you use the "Activate Ind. Ventilation" check box and timer within iDrive.
Now, first thing question, is that actually how it works (IE Battery powered coil and blower) and secondly, how do you even get that as an option? My check box is greyed out.



Thanks guys,
C

[DSilk]

You cannot use the ventilation system to heat your M3 while it is parked, as the system is set to vent hot air out of the car. The only system available to heat the cabin without the engine running is the residual heat function that uses engine heat to warm up the cabin while the car is sitting. That function only works if the engine is already warm. Cheer up. Sydney's climate can't be that much different than Miami's (albeit with reversed seasons), so you shouldn't be dealing with any really cold weather.

[gfisher99]

I'd like to know how this works for venting hot air out.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by gfisher99

I'd like to know how this works for venting hot air out.

It operates the ventilation fans for a maximum of 30 minutes, powered by the car's battery. There are 2 timer settings, available through i-Drive that can be programmed to vent out the cabin before you arrive. Don't try this on a weak battery...

[gfisher99]

Thanks - I guess it'd be pretty useless for me since I work at home. When I'm out and about I never know what time I will be getting back into the car. Appreciate the info though.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by gfisher99

Thanks - I guess it'd be pretty useless for me since I work at home. When I'm out and about I never know what time I will be getting back into the car. Appreciate the info though.

My car is always garaged (even at work), so I have never used it.

[OzCraig]

Originally Posted by DSilk

You cannot use the ventilation system to heat your M3 while it is parked, as the system is set to vent hot air out of the car. The only system available to heat the cabin without the engine running is the residual heat function that uses engine heat to warm up the cabin while the car is sitting. That function only works if the engine is already warm. Cheer up. Sydney's climate can't be that much different than Miami's (albeit with reversed seasons), so you shouldn't be dealing with any really cold weather.

Copy that. Thanks mate!
Yeah We've had quite a few 2-5deg C days recently which is pretty chilly for Sydney.
This morning was positively tropic compared to the last week

[DSilk]

Ouch! I guess Sydney IS colder than Miami. 5 degrees C translates to 41 degrees F, and in 30 years here I have only seen one night where the overnight low got that cold here.