Installing A/C in non A/C car?

[straight-6]

Looking to buy a E30 318is', and I found a few in Canada and Europe but they have no A/C which is an absolute must for me!

Can anyone help me by telling me how difficult and costly is adding an A/C to a non A/C car?

Any info on the subject would be helpful.

Thanks!

[straight-6]

anyone?

[BlueBMW]

I dont see why it wouldn't be possible, just a lot of work to add all the lines and condensor / evaporator etc.  If you go with new parts it would be pretty costly too.  The only other thing I can think of its how the engine computer reacts to the activation of a compressor.  I'm not sure if you'd have to change DMEs and flywheels to make it work right.  (dual mass vs single?)  Hopefully someone will chime in.

[straight-6]

BlueBMW thanks for your response...appreciate someone trying to help me out.

I found a nice clean low mile car that is exactly what I'm looking for, BUT A/C wasn't an installed option.

I really want this car, but I really need A/C.

A mechanic said he can do it for $1400 (using a mix of new and used parts from a donor).

Is that a fair price? I'm not sure if he can do a proper job, I like the car to look and function as though it came out of the factory that way.

Help me my potential M42 brothers!

[DesktopDave]

I'd think wiring it would be the big PITA.  Might be pre-wired...

If I really had my heart set on that car and I had to have A/C at all costs, I'd be sure that I had access to a complete parts car.  It's always the little bits that kill me on cost.  Honestly, I don't think it'd be that difficult.  Just an annoying, fiddly job.

I'm not sure of your mechanical skills, but if you have the guts to tackle this yourself it'd save you a ton of money.  An r134 recharge is cheap (about $80 'round here), and the only parts you'd need to have are a new $25 receiver/dryer and some o-rings & ester oil.  I haven't done a conversion myself, but it's on the eventual list.  I'll share some pics if/when I get to it.

You could also use a few of the aftermarket r12 substitutes to fix up an old system.  Someone will chime in with suggestions.

I'm not trying to jack the thread, but how will you federalize the car to get it into the USA?  I didn't see any location in your profile, but if you're in the states I don't think it's that easy to get cars under 25 years old into here.  If you know a way, please share by all means!

[dvmotorsports]

You are getting yourself into something that you will regret for the rest of your life.

[straight-6]

Desktop Dave - thanks for the help, the car isn't for the U.S., and my mechanical skills aren't good enough to tackle this.

DVmotorsports - care to elaborate please...thanks

And what about the ECU compatibility?

Thanks guys

[BlueBMW]

My thinking is that the ECU picks up that the A/C is on and commands the engine to idle up about 100rpm.  I'm not sure the exact method the aux fan is activated.  maybe its direct through the a/c switch etc, but it might be ECU controlled.

Does anyone make an add on like under dash unit or anything like that?  Kind of a universal vent / a/c system designed to be added to old cars without a/c?  I guess I'm thinking of the system that was on a 70 mercedes 280sl I had a few years back.  It looked like an afterthought.

[straight-6]

Anymore input on the subject?
Basically, is it such a tough job that one wouldn't recommend doing it?
Or its just a matter of bolting the parts from a parted 318is with A/C?

A parts list would help too...especially info on if the ECU of an A/C equipped car is different from that of a non A/C car?

Thanks guys for your responses and help.

[BlueBMW]

I'd think having another 318is with A/C for parts would be your best shot.