[A900ss]

Hi,

I got my 520d in June so I don't know how long it takes for hot air to come out of the vents when it is below freezing.

My previous diesel Subaru took ages for hot air to come out (and driving around town sometimes wouldn't get hot at all). The diesel Mercedes I had before that was almost instantaneous, I think it had electrical heater assistance.

How about the 520d?

[HighlandPete]

F10/11 will have the electric PTC heating element, so quite fast to get warm air.

HighlandPete

[jedpause]

Within a mile of driving from cold start... with vent at middle front knob on red setting, gets very warm, need to keep gauge setting on 16-18 or it gets too hot... I tend to turn middle front vent onto open air (blue) regularly to keep a balance... I got my car in Jan this year....

[AP]

This is presumably because diesel is more efficient and is not wasting energy as heat (which would otherwise in part be used for heating up the car )
I'm interested as well as I bought my car in april and have yet to experience a cold day in it.
I di dhowver have the heated seat on the otehr day and found that very warm. Certinly seemed quicker and warmer than in my previous E39 so that may compensate as well.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by AP

This is presumably because diesel is more efficient and is not wasting energy as heat (which would otherwise in part be used for heating up the car ).

Yes that is correct, we need auxiliary heating to get a warm cabin from cold.

My E91 330d had the electric element and that would give out warm air in about 1/2 a mile, even at sub zero temperatures. F10/11 diesel models definitely have the PTC element. Not sure exactly what power output, but previous models were around 1kW.

HighlandPete