XSeries-forum

Last year, the airco suddenly seemed to stop (don't use the car a lot so could not tell how long it had not been working). The dealer had it for a day, charged diagnostics and could not find a leak so re-gassed. All working again.

Then again this year, I tried the airco when it was hot in April and it didn't work. Back to BMW, they spent 3 hours so far on diagnostics but still no leak found. It is going back next week for more tests, and this time they have another machine.

My worry is that if it is the internal condenser that the whole dashboard would have to come out, something like £2k in labour I read. I would not want to do that as no doubt they would damage it all.

Any thoughts what else could be causing it if no leaks can be found? Perhaps better to re-gass and see again how long it lasts which will end up cheaper than a massive bill no doubt.

Unless you use the aircon regularly it tends to leak out the gas again little by little over time , there probably isn't a leak as such.

It’s often a problem with the seals due to a lack of lubricant circulating in the system so you slowly lose gas.

I had alot or problems on my E70,
What your describing is that you have a very slow leak that your unable to detect. Most likely is from the condensor, which is located at the front. I think what you mentioned is inside the dashboard which is evaporator.

You are right, I meant the evaporator.

They finally found the leak today - it is the condensor which has the leak, £1400

Breaks My Wallet

Must be a non-badged supplier of that part surely. BMW don’t make them. But then you need a good Indy to fit it.

X5 is right these are brought in parts 2 years ago I had the Condenser and dryer changed on the E70 by a mobile AC specialist on my drive Condenser (Denso) was £65 Receiver/Dryer (Mahle) £30 ( dryer changed on specialists advice) system vacuum tested and recharged £45 Labour £320 plus VAT tea and biscuits
BMW do like to charge for the box they put the parts in even worse when they may well use the same mobile specialist he told me he does a lot of work for Garages

Time to find another garage lol

I find that recharging the aircon annually (£70)either using a diy kit or a garage offering a special deal better than faffing about getting the parts mentioned replaced. Also leaving the aircon 'ON' helps the seals not to ''dry out'' .

Lez

The new gas is now £140 a fill, I tried finding that cheaper but only the older cars work with the old gas - which is about £60 to do, so a lot more reasonable. I didn't really fancy doing the recharge at that cost every year, not to mention that it is illegal to do so (having said that, they couldn't find the leak originally so could have been refilled over and over again).

Did get £250 off the bill as I told them I was not happy. Still too much though.

Just to put my mind at rest how much I was being ripped off, I asked about my Z4M diff seals replacement for which I already had a quote from a specialist for £600. BMW quoted £1600 for that job ...

And they wonder why people go to independents! I expect your area is going to be similar to ours, £210/hr + VAT.

There is a good few years at 140 ,probably more than it has left to get near 1400..just saying

My neighbour just had his 2020 X5 recharged at KwikFit summer deal £75 His car was connected to a computerised Machine and the Vin number entered the machine then indicated the time needed to Vac out test and refill with the correct refrigerant R1234YF
As the machine is in charge he asked how it works and was told if a leak is detected during the Vacuum test the machine alarms and shuts off and will not refill sounds pretty fool proof to me (but then we all know they are making better fools ) If it recharges they give a 12 months warranty free recharge ??

Hmm, I should have known about the last one as they could not detect a leak on the vacuum test so would have been warranty covered. Just the hassle of going back.

Told them I was not impressed with the price so they dropped £250.

At the same time, I asked for a diff seal change quote for the Z4M and they came up with £1600. I showed my indy quote for £600 so I think it was pretty clear where I was going to go.

pvr wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2026 3:29 pm You are right, I meant the evaporator.

They finally found the leak today - it is the condensor which has the leak, £1400

That's really unfortunate I'm sure the condensor a good brand like Nissens costs around £250-300 throw in £250 labour max it's a £600 job. I mean it's expected from the dealers.