When did BMW start using R134a in the 3 and 5 series cars?

**MrAdventure** · 05-09-2003, 11:16 AM

I'm probably going to replace my e30 with an e34 or e36 later this year, and I want to get something that's either already been converted to R134a or came with it stock. I'm just thinking in terms of the added cost involved if I have to convert a car's AC...

What model year did they start with R134a? Was it different for each model line, or was it an across-the-board thing?

**bungy42** · 05-09-2003, 11:28 AM

I think all cars after 1994 had to have r134a by law.

**buttuh** · 05-09-2003, 12:25 PM

I think bungy's right.

**Ken318** · 05-09-2003, 06:31 PM

My '93 318i has R134a.

**nydog** · 05-09-2003, 08:10 PM

my 93 325 has 134a

**TurboM3** · 05-09-2003, 09:11 PM

what do those numbers mean?

THanks
Mark

**MotorWerkz** · 05-09-2003, 09:46 PM

cooling agent for air conditioner ... correct me...

**94is** · 05-10-2003, 01:10 PM

My 7/94 325is has it. My boyfriend converted his 90' 535 to it. I guess its not that hard to do

**///Mitch3** · 05-10-2003, 04:11 PM

what's R134a

**Zoeb2s** · 05-10-2003, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by 323is_Coupe
what's R134a

the Newer type of Freon for the AC....R-12 is the older type

**TooTall424** · 05-10-2003, 05:15 PM

Does it really matter.....just dont use your AC

**mimocurry** · 05-10-2003, 06:34 PM

R134a is less expensive to recharge.

**MotorWerkz** · 05-11-2003, 05:41 AM

how much is it to recharge? a shop wants me to pay $110

**Nico5spd** · 05-11-2003, 02:42 PM

R134A is a HFC (hydro floural carbon), doesnt harm the atmosphere as badly as R12 (CFC - Chloral floural carbon). I believe all bmws 93+ are 134A. Easy way to check is the fittings on the a/c lines. If you remove the cap, and it has a fitting with threads that you would have to screw the a/c machine on, then its R12. If it looks like a quick disconnect fitting. Then its 134a.

r12 is so expensive now adays because its hard to find.

If you convert a car to 134a, you have to be careful, there is a special oil that must be used, and the drier must be replaced. I recomend a professional to do a conversion.

p.s MotorWerkz, euromelee.com is full of idiot.

Want to race my LOWLY 325? how bout outdrift my LOWLY 325?

**NiTE** · 05-11-2003, 04:15 PM

Yep, its just HFC vs CFCs

EuroWerkz - Nick was driving the 540 too... dont even tell me that wasn't a good drift...

:

But you would obviously kill his 325 in a race...

**Nico5spd** · 05-11-2003, 04:26 PM

sid, you trying to help me out?

**NiTE** · 05-11-2003, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Nico5spd
sid, you trying to help me out?

well both things I said were true... that 540 drift was NUTS, now THAT is what you do with crappy tires

plus we all know your 325 is slow stuff

**Ron17** · 05-12-2003, 09:51 AM

How hard is it to recharge the system? I need to do that, as it's starting to get a little warm down here these days.

**Nico5spd** · 05-12-2003, 10:14 AM

You cant just get it rechartged. if your a/c system has no freon left, the nit leaked out. contrary to popular belief, your car does NOT use freon. it simply recirculates it. If you have no leaks, it will last forever. Problem is things break, and the refridgerant leaks out. So if your a/c system stopped working, take it somewhere to be properly diagnosed. E36 comomn areas of leakage are the front condensor (its in front of the radiator, open to all rocks and debris).

**Ron17** · 05-12-2003, 10:41 AM

So... until I can find time to put it in the shop, I would like to recharge the system as a temporary fix.

That said:

How hard is it to recharge the system? I need to do that, as it's starting to get a little warm down here these days.

**Nico5spd** · 05-12-2003, 11:49 AM

well, its illegal for a shop to recharge a leaking system. There are special machines that are used to charge the systme properly. THe system must be sucked down into a vacuum, oil mus tbe added then, then the freon must be forced into the system using the machine. If you dont charge it propelry, you will damage components like the compressor. THen thats alot more money.

id just get it fixed right

**Qsilver7** · 07-02-2018, 10:13 AM

All BMW models have used R134a since the roll out of the 1993 model year. So if you have plans to own any older BMWs...just know that the 1993 model year is when they switch from R12 to R134a.

And for those of you that don't know...R134a is going the same way as R12. :yikes: The US EPA announced recently that after 2021...R134a will no longer be sold here because it doesn't meet GWP (global warning potential). So if you plan on possessing a 1993-2020 BMW...you may want to start "stocking-up" on R134a refill cans because it will no longer be available in 2021:

“EPA is listing HFC-134a as unacceptable for newly manufactured light-duty motor vehicles beginning in Model Year (MY) 2021 except as allowed under a narrowed use limit for use in newly manufactured light-duty vehicles destined for use in countries that do not have infrastructure in place for servicing with other acceptable refrigerants. This narrowed use limit will be in place through MY 2025. Beginning in MY 2026, HFC-134a will be unacceptable for use in all newly manufactured light-duty vehicles.”

There is one mainstream refrigerant that will be replacing 134a and that is the new 1234YF. 1234YF is a Hydroflurooolefin refrigerant and has a Global Warming Potential of four and it does not damage the O-Zone layer. Oh, and did I mention that 1234YF decomposes into the atmosphere after only eleven days?

1234YF was developed by a joint venture of DuPont and Honeywell in response to the European Union’s phase out plan of 134a back in 2006. At this point in time there are two main brand names, the Honeywell version called Solstice and DuPont’s/Chemour’s version called Opteon YF. In 2014 three million cars were taking 1234YF and at the end of 2015 that number is expected to double. As the phase-out of 134a approaches expect to see more and more manufacturers switching over to 1234YF in the United States and abroad.

Pros of 1234YF:

1234YF runs at similar pressures and is practically a drop in replacement for 134a. This will help keep costs down when switching over a system.
1234YF does not contribute to Global Warming.
1234YF does not harm the O-Zone layer and actually decomposes into the atmosphere after only eleven days.
1234YF allows for lighter and more compact air conditioning units which benefits your vehicle’s fuel economy.
You will not need to be EPA certified to purchase 1234YF.

Cons of 1234YF:

Price. I hope you are not used to the one-hundred dollar price for a thirty pound jug of 134a. That’ll be going away fast. Expect to pay around $700-$800 for a ten pound cylinder of 1234YF in 2015. The good news is 1234YF systems do not use as much refrigerant as the older 134a systems.
Flammability – Most OE’s will state that yes, 1234YF does have higher flammability… but it is of no risk to the consumer or technicians. However, if you have that same conversation with someone in Germany you may get an entirely different story. Hint, check with Daimler!
New Equipment will have to be purchased in order for you shop to handle 1234YF refrigerant. Yes, that means a whole new recovery machine, potentially even new identification equipment as well.

**White94RX** · 07-09-2018, 02:49 PM

Thread revival from 2003. Lol

**MauiM3Mania** · 07-09-2018, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by White94RX

Thread revival from 2003. Lol

Looks to be copied portions of a 2015 LinkedIn post.

Thread: When did BMW start using R134a in the 3 and 5 series cars?

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When did BMW start using R134a in the 3 and 5 series cars?

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