E39 Air Con - Condenser & Dryer

[JJM]

I had the air con re-gassed on my E39 today at my local indy garage and they diagnosed a fault, they recommend that at some point in the future I will need to get the Condenser and the Dryer replaced.

Has anyone had to do this and if so how much did it cost?

My garage quoted me £550 + vat for genuine parts and £370 + vat for patent parts...

Alternatively is it a job worth considering myself?

[David911RSR]

JJM said:

I had the air con re-gassed on my E39 today at my local indy garage and they diagnosed a fault, they recommend that at some point in the future I will need to get the Condenser and the Dryer replaced.

Has anyone had to do this and if so how much did it cost?

My garage quoted me £550 + vat for genuine parts and £370 + vat for patent parts...

Alternatively is it a job worth considering myself?

Just had the same issue with my 2000MY E38 7401. More it's worth checking if the resistors on the Aux fan have gone, common issue with BM's. After my Air Con was re-gassed, the front fan would start and then stop straight away. I was told (by a number of BMW specialists) a new part could be only sourced from the main dealer at a cost of 340+Vat + 1 hr to fit (included removing and re-fitting bumper). I managed to track down a new patent part for 170 + vat from www.allgermanparts.co.uk. Works perfectly.

[Hammerhead]

Your prices quoted don't seem too bad. I had my condensor & dryer replaced (plus a section of pipe work replaced) for £450 all in.

RE fitting it yourself, there's nothing to stop you but you have to be quick when fitting the dryer. They don't too well to being 'open' more than 15-20 mins max so your a/c system needs to be sealed, oiled & gassed pretty quickly. Bumper removal is not strictly necessary either as you can move the rad off it's mounts and back a bit so that access to the condenser is easier.

[JJM]

Thanks for the replies, sounds like a job best left to my local indy.

[peaktorque]

I replaced the condensor on mine a couple of years ago, didn't bother with the drier (I'm an A/C engineer BTW) as unless it's leaking or the system has been running in a vacuum (which is what the LP switch is there to prevent) then it is probably a bit 'belt and braces'.

I sourced a new patern part which wasn't a perfect fit, but was fine after some adjustment, only cost £78 + P&P, can't remember what internet company I ordered it from though.

It's a fairly simple job to do, just make sure that you don't get any ste in the fittings and a pressure test AND vac is carried out before the recharge, which should only cost £50 including gas.