I've been keeping my eye on compressor prices for a few years. The original OEM SEIKO model that came on my car in 1990 had disappeared for a while but came back a few years ago. Ten years ago I put in my third unit. Florida the A/C is on 100% of the time. About 12 years ago I put one in and it's still fine, but I know if I live long enough I'm going to need one. When I bought mine back then I paid about 650. The price had been climbing year after year and about 6 months ago it was 1075 with a one hundred dollar core from BavAuto. A few months ago the price came down to about 645. That was a good thing. Just got an email that BavAuto was having a 10% off sale.... and for this Friday only another 5% off with a coupon code on almost everything. So I emailed with service, thinking since I would not have one to send back for the 100 dollar core, maybe the sale would make up for it. Got an email back, and it will. On Friday only 547.12 with 100 core. I'm buying one Friday morning and thought since these OEM compressors are getting more rare I would let you all know. There are cheaper ones out there and others that will fit with bracket adjustment or a re-wire. But this is the one that came from the factory. And it does have the r134 oil. Last time around it came with the R12 oil and we had to spill out and reoil. Only if you've got the 735I or il from 88-92. Just throwing this out there. I want this thing in the garage for down the road. I know I'll be glad when mine seizes up.
Jeff
Last edited by CroughtonE32; 11-20-2018 at 07:23 PM.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
Jeff, a alternative is to find a reputable shop which remanufactures/overhauls the compressors. We did that on some AC compressors for the M70 DIY, parts bought from online shops, because the M70 AC compressor is terribly expensive in the special version with lock sensor.
Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!
Why are you going through AC compressors ?
Typically the front shaft seal starts to leak. All you have to do is replace that seal.
That seiko compressor is a werid design. It’s not a centrifugal compressor like most ac compressors. It’s a reciprocal compressors woth a swash plate.
Last edited by xx138xx; 12-25-2018 at 11:57 AM.
Well, I'm on my second compressor now. This one has been going strong for about 12 years. The one from the factory lasted fifteen years and then froze up. Back then I was having the 134 change over and I just decided to go with a new one. It came with the R12 oil and my mechanic just swapped the oil before installing. I can tell you in Florida, having the A/C on all the time, expansion valves just don't hold up. Almost every leak of freon in the 29 years I've had has comee from a bad expansion valve. I'd be happy if my compressor lasts another 12 years. My A/C at this moment is colder with the 134 than it ever was with the R12 when I bought it. We just decided to do a complete overhaul of the system. Kept the compressor, but replaced the 29 year old condenser, replaced the evaporator with the expansion valve and replaced the dryer. While checking the system under vacuum my guy found a leak in the high pressure hose. The one from the compressor to the condenser. So we replaced that. If things stay as they are now forever, I'll be a happy camper. Where I live, A/C is a more important component than brakes. Not really.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
I understand the importance of AC, I live in Texas. There is no way I would go without AC in the summer.
I read your original post as you have gone through three compressors. I need to pay more attention sometimes.
Where you live is hard for an AC, hot and humid is hard on the system.
Merry Christmas
So to end this..............I did order the compressor from BavAuto, but for some reason it came with the wrong wiring. Only a single new wire instead of three going to a new three prong plug. So no big deal as I'm not in need at the moment. So I sent it back. Found out later that it was really for the three series of the same year. Anyway, I never ordered anything from China. Alibaba. Always wanted to give them a try. I could not believe they had this compressor rebuilt for 130 bucks and about a hundred for shipping. So I gave it a shot. Came to me in about seven days and no reason to post pictures. What I got is exactly what's in this set of pictures. It's as clean as a piece of jewelry. Weighs a ton, and we'll see. When and if mine goes (which it will), I'll know if I did a good thing here. For now it goes in my little parts department.....lol Oh, it's the exact part number for the E32 even though it says E30. I like that if you scroll down you can see pictures of their rebuilt process and their testing bench.
Jeff
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/oem-...AbTest=ae803_5
Last edited by CroughtonE32; 01-11-2019 at 10:36 PM.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
Jeff,
Sounds like a potential source of a copy of a very expensive OEM part. Here's hoping for long life of your existing unit.
Ken
PS
I'm down here now for a few months.
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