BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Ventilated glove box

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-08-2020, 04:50 PM   #1
Belvedere
New Member
18
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: G30 540i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Ventilated glove box

Hi all
After about two and a half years of owning my G30 I just discovered it has a ventilated glove box. Maybe a lot of you already know this, but I'd thought I'd share this Easter egg since there doesn't appear to be any reference to it in the owner's manual.
There is a little dial on the side of the glove box (mine is RHD and the dial is at the top right of the glove box; I imagine LHD cars will have it on the left, on the side that abuts the centre stack). You turn it to open and close the vent.
If you look at a spare parts diagram for the glove box, you can clearly see a vent hose.
I have the ambient air package, but it would seem that there are 2 separate hoses running into the glove box: one for ambient air and another for ventilation so I imagine every car will have a ventilated glove box regardless of whether or not it has ambient air.
Appreciate 1
Pictor1558.50
      03-08-2020, 07:33 PM   #2
Pictor
Major
United_States
1559
Rep
1,386
Posts

Drives: 2023 iX xDrive50 & 2020 M850i
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I had to run out and check mine and sure enough I see the little round vent. My E60 had one in the center arm-rest which was extremely useful when I used to keep my phone in there to charge and I missed having it there on subsequent F10's and my current G30. Although I'm not sure my registration papers need to be climate controlled while in the glove box.
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 09:20 AM   #3
beanbaguk
Captain
beanbaguk's Avatar
Spain
454
Rep
938
Posts

Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Costa del Sol

iTrader: (0)

Yup, I found this by chance a little while ago when wiring in my dash-cam. Keeps your drink nice and cool on a long trip in the summer. Also, handy for cooling down drinks. Takes a while but it does work.
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 12:39 PM   #4
Bob in IL
Captain
746
Rep
982
Posts

Drives: 2024 G01 X3, 2019 G30 5 Series
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago area

iTrader: (0)

Does any cooled or fresh air blow in thru this vent or is it just to let heat ventilate out and not build up?

I want to check mine but don't have access to the car right now.
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 03:22 PM   #5
AddyDaddy
Major
AddyDaddy's Avatar
United_States
418
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, M5's, 535.335, M550i
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Shit I don't think I have it. I looked, but don't see anything
__________________
2013 535i M, Carbon black 20' 6 M wheels, totaled.
2018 750M ,
2013 M5 , Individual Silver, Bolt ons-Straight piped
2019 M550 686BK Black Chrome 20"wheels, filters, Evolve Stage 1, Res delete
2024 i5 M60 Cape York Green
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 04:25 PM   #6
Skyrider01
Second Lieutenant
159
Rep
263
Posts

Drives: 2019 M550ix, 2020 330i
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
Shit I don't think I have it. I looked, but don't see anything
Couldn't find it either in my 2019 M550
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 06:17 PM   #7
runbuh
Private
United_States
31
Rep
74
Posts

Drives: 2020 M550i
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Ala-damn-bama

iTrader: (0)

For those of you not finding it, are you looking in the passenger glove box?
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 06:26 PM   #8
Skyrider01
Second Lieutenant
159
Rep
263
Posts

Drives: 2019 M550ix, 2020 330i
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by runbuh View Post
For those of you not finding it, are you looking in the passenger glove box?
Yes, the glove compartment right in front of the passenger seat under the dashboard.
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2020, 09:40 PM   #9
runbuh
Private
United_States
31
Rep
74
Posts

Drives: 2020 M550i
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Ala-damn-bama

iTrader: (0)

I guess we yanks don't get the good stuff. I see nothing.

I'm guessing the blue arrow is pointing to where it would/should go?
Name:  Untitled.png
Views: 6192
Size:  1.85 MB
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2020, 02:11 AM   #10
Belvedere
New Member
18
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: G30 540i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by runbuh View Post
I guess we yanks don't get the good stuff. I see nothing.

I'm guessing the blue arrow is pointing to where it would/should go?
Attachment 2256554
Judging by the photo of Runbuh's glove box, maybe all G30s don't have the vent after all. Here is a photo of mine (hopefully the attachment appears).
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2020, 04:48 AM   #11
Belvedere
New Member
18
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: G30 540i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
Shit I don't think I have it. I looked, but don't see anything
Yes, from a comparison of photos it seems as though not every car has the vent! Mine is an August 17 build with ambient air, but from the other replies it’s possible that there are those without ambient air that do have the vent (maybe others could confirm that). I think this prompts me to make a number of observations. First, I wonder if minor changes are made during the production run to add features that people want and delete others that aren’t in demand while keeping production costs roughly the same. Eg, my car doesn’t have the flock lined cubby on the driver’s side. Secondly, maybe BMW deleted the vent because it was compromising the efficiency of the HVAC system which some were complaining about (NB, this isn’t an invitation to turn this into yet another “the aircon doesn’t work well” thread). Thirdly, allowing for these seemingly minor production changes and the different options we all choose, it probably means there are no 2 cars out there which are exactly alike, even though they are mass produced.
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2020, 06:45 AM   #12
AP
Major General
AP's Avatar
2705
Rep
5,025
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

This has to be the winner for best hidden feature of the car so far!
I've got to look now on my car for this now!

I had a Saab 9-5 years back and that had this feature which was quite useful on occasions.
The vent in that was either open or shut and the air was cold irrespective of how you had set up your a/c
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2020, 08:52 AM   #13
SteveinArizona
Brigadier General
United_States
3086
Rep
4,210
Posts

Drives: BMW 530e
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Greater Phoenix

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Belvedere View Post
Yes, from a comparison of photos it seems as though not every car has the vent! Mine is an August 17 build with ambient air, but from the other replies it’s possible that there are those without ambient air that do have the vent (maybe others could confirm that). I think this prompts me to make a number of observations. First, I wonder if minor changes are made during the production run to add features that people want and delete others that aren’t in demand while keeping production costs roughly the same. Eg, my car doesn’t have the flock lined cubby on the driver’s side. Secondly, maybe BMW deleted the vent because it was compromising the efficiency of the HVAC system which some were complaining about (NB, this isn’t an invitation to turn this into yet another “the aircon doesn’t work well” thread). Thirdly, allowing for these seemingly minor production changes and the different options we all choose, it probably means there are no 2 cars out there which are exactly alike, even though they are mass produced.
Mine is a November 2017 build (2018 530e) and I did not order ambient air and I do have the vent. My car did not have the flock lined cubby but I had the latch failure on the cubby that has been so common and when the car was in for scheduled maintenance they replaced it with the flock lined cubby. I don't know what is behind the vent in the glove box but the lack of flocking was apparently an oversight on BMW's part and around the time of my build they changed to a flock lined cubby. Having had both, I can tell you that without the flock lining, the cubby is pretty useless as everything rattles around in there.
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2020, 10:58 AM   #14
Bob in IL
Captain
746
Rep
982
Posts

Drives: 2024 G01 X3, 2019 G30 5 Series
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by runbuh View Post
I guess we yanks don't get the good stuff. I see nothing.

I'm guessing the blue arrow is pointing to where it would/should go?
Attachment 2256554
My 2019 G30 looks like this.
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2020, 05:20 PM   #15
Dephead2004
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
179
Rep
547
Posts

Drives: G30 520i
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I have one! Hidden away as per Belvedere's snap. Dec 2017 . MY 2018 . 320I SE
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2020, 10:39 AM   #16
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1120
Rep
1,124
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Belvedere, the location of your vent opening is interesting, as it seems most other glove boxes have the ventilation opening in a different area. After reading this post I decided to look in my glove box, and I have identified the spaces I saw in mine (2020 530e). It seems that from my research, where your ventilation hose is, is where the Ambient Air outgoing air flow goes based on looking at the back of the Ambient Air unit and comparing it to the openings in the glove box. The other question I can't seem to figure out with 100% certainty is where the Ventilation Hose for the glove box connects in to the rest of the A/C System. In looking at some of the parts diagrams, it looks like there may be an outlet post on the Distribution Housing, but I haven't been able to find pictures of a real one to see if it is actually there.
Attached Images
  

Last edited by roxxor; 03-12-2020 at 10:44 AM..
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2020, 11:19 AM   #17
530iDriver
Colonel
530iDriver's Avatar
United_States
1708
Rep
2,539
Posts

Drives: 2017 BMW 530i
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Belvedere View Post
Hi all
After about two and a half years of owning my G30 I just discovered it has a ventilated glove box. Maybe a lot of you already know this, but I'd thought I'd share this Easter egg since there doesn't appear to be any reference to it in the owner's manual.
There is a little dial on the side of the glove box (mine is RHD and the dial is at the top right of the glove box; I imagine LHD cars will have it on the left, on the side that abuts the centre stack). You turn it to open and close the vent.
If you look at a spare parts diagram for the glove box, you can clearly see a vent hose.
I have the ambient air package, but it would seem that there are 2 separate hoses running into the glove box: one for ambient air and another for ventilation so I imagine every car will have a ventilated glove box regardless of whether or not it has ambient air.
Yes you can safely store a sub and a drink there and keep 'em cold.

I am no stranger to ventilated glove boxes in BMW products. My 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2013 MINIs all had/have ventilated glove box compartments. Ditto for my ex-2011 E90 328i.
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".

Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness....
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2020, 07:26 PM   #18
Pictor
Major
United_States
1559
Rep
1,386
Posts

Drives: 2023 iX xDrive50 & 2020 M850i
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 M550i (3/17 build) US Spec.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2020, 03:56 AM   #19
Belvedere
New Member
18
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: G30 540i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by roxxor View Post
Belvedere, the location of your vent opening is interesting, as it seems most other glove boxes have the ventilation opening in a different area. After reading this post I decided to look in my glove box, and I have identified the spaces I saw in mine (2020 530e). It seems that from my research, where your ventilation hose is, is where the Ambient Air outgoing air flow goes based on looking at the back of the Ambient Air unit and comparing it to the openings in the glove box. The other question I can't seem to figure out with 100% certainty is where the Ventilation Hose for the glove box connects in to the rest of the A/C System. In looking at some of the parts diagrams, it looks like there may be an outlet post on the Distribution Housing, but I haven't been able to find pictures of a real one to see if it is actually there.
You’re right. The vent position appears to be different on LHD and RHD cars. I have the ambient air thingy. It’s kind of a large cube-like contraption taking up a not insignificant chunk of the glove box. I can’t see where the hoses are that attach to it because they’re concealed, but I think they come in from the back and/or side of the glove box.
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2020, 09:07 AM   #20
AP
Major General
AP's Avatar
2705
Rep
5,025
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

found it on my (UK RHD) 2017 model. You can twist it to either open or close the hole. Its quite a small hole so not sure how much air will actually come out of here - assuming its just pure cold non heated air?

strange BMW have not advertised this, not seen any mention of it anywhere.
don't recall seeing it in the manual.
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2020, 09:23 AM   #21
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1120
Rep
1,124
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

For those interested, I was able to find where the hose connects to on the HVAC system. Seems I was right about there being a outlet on the unit, which still exists even on newer cars that did not get the ventilated glove box from the factory. However, I tried several A/C settings and could not feel any air coming out of that output under the dash. Not sure if they physically blocked it inside the unit, or if they disabled it via coding, but either way, no air is coming out of it.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2020, 09:59 AM   #22
Mach550
Captain
Mach550's Avatar
United_States
462
Rep
885
Posts

Drives: 2019 M550i
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Tampa Bay

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2019 BMW M550i  [8.00]
Mine definitely does not have this, actually remember one day I had a hot bottle of water and remembered that my $30k VW GTI had a cooled glove compartment and my nearly $100k BMW did not...
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:16 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST