Traded BMW 323 Coupe in the summer for G35 sedan and loved the drive, but driving in Northern Ohio this winter is causing me some second thoughts. Climate control system is quirky and not intuitive, fogs up a lot, too hot in bright sun, and rear defroster not very effective. Have talked to dealer and he says my system is normal and no one else complains??. Also find orange instruments very difficult to read with low angle winter sun and to add more insult don't open the trunk when there is any ice on the rear window, as you will be scooping it out of the trunk. Should have caught onto this when had the same problem with rain water in the summer.
The car is great in terms of performance, but better half prefers to ride in our domestic cars which seem much better designed for our winter. Anyone else had these problems?

 

The only qualm of those that I have had similar experience with was the "too hot in bright sun", but then I tinted my windows (well within the bounds of legality), and it's perfect. Did you bimmer have darker windows?

Other than that, my defroster clears the entire window within a minute or so, the front window doesn't fog up, and my climate controls seem intuitive to me... I came from a SHO with a digital readout climate control system much like the G's, so...

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

In response ,
My BMW came with normal tinted windows and sensors on dash which seemed very effective at changing air flows when in strong sun, as does my wifes Concord. If your defroster clears the rear window in 1-2 minutes I definitely have a problem as it takes a least 5-10mins and 2-3miles. I guess I will have to talk more to the dealer. Fogging up seems much more of a problem when outside temp is below 10 F, but a very obvious problem for my G35 when directly compared to familys Concord and Pontiac GP driven under similar climatic conditions. I guess I am disappointed, but not confident it is a real problem or part of the design. Do not want to spend a lot of time at dealership, as they think it is normal.

 

don't BMWs have orange gauges as well?

2003 G35 Coupe - Ivory Pearl w/ Willow Interior - Premium Package - Sport Package - Tinted Windows

 

I hate dealerships sometimes, honestly. Now, I've not driven the G in anything under about 15 when it wasn't garaged, so the rear defrost may be simply a temp difference. I've parked it in parking lots, etc. when it's cold, but it's always cleared up pretty fast.

Do you recirculate the air, or have it on "fresh" air? I've noticed that when I had it on recirculate, it fogged up (this was in summer in Florida), but since then I've not had a problem with it.

My friend's '01 330xi came with windows that were darker than my G's, so that's why I ask... makes a world of difference. good luck--

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

I don't find any trouble reading the orange lit gauges, even in bright sunlight, the only time I have a problem, is when the auto lights come on, and dim the display, solution to that is simple, just brighten the display! I have no complaints about the climate control either, I agree with GeoBau, it seems intuitive to me, also, I have not noticed a problem with the trunk getting wet, there is a channel there for the water to run down!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan/5AT