A/C or climate control??

[benzboss]

Hi all,

Just wondering out of curiosity, between the climate control system and standard air-conditioning, what is often the favourable option?

I’ve always looked for cars equipped with ‘standard’ air conditioning. I’ve had 7 W124s, all of which have had the A/C option.

I was advised to ‘avoid’ climate control as it is not as effective / friendly as the A/C and can be quite problematic; is there any truth to this?

Most 036s I see for sale in Europe and occasionally in the UK seem to have the Cc option.

I’m assuming it’s more personal preference than anything or is there actually a clear winner between the two? Seeing as I’ve not ever had a car with the climate control I think it’s worth asking.

 

[gsxr]

I don't think one is necessarily more reliable, or problematic, than the other. I think the main complaint with automatic climate control (ACC) is the blower speed is rarely what you want it to be. The only options are Min, Max, and Auto where "Auto" generally is short for "Wrong Speed".

Manual climate control (aka "Tempmatic") has dual temp zones, which is nice, assuming it works well. And it has four selectable fan speeds.

The ACC blower speed regulator does seem to fail more often than the speed-control resistor pack used on Tempmatic, but this isn't a dealbreaker. Both systems use vacuum pods under the dash that can fail and require dash removal (not fun) to repair.

 

[nocfn]

To add to this, there are things we do in new cars and old (YMMV).

Young classics: turn the engine over. Once started, depress the re-circulation button so the red light is on. Then adjust your fan speed accordingly. (hot engine bay air with extra humidity is never joyous)

I bought a E450 Cab new in 12/19 (2020 model) and the same activity applies after all these years. (SMH)

 

[TerryA]

My car 1993-040 Black/Black has the ACC. I say as long as your system is working properly ((good compressor, no leaks and control panel functions ect it works fine. Here in SoCal where we get a lots of DAYs in the 90s to 100s+) So far anyway no major problems

BTW, Being an all black car it will take a few minutes to cool down if it’s closed up and parked out in the sun but even my 2024 White / Beige Toyota Camry takes a few minutes to cool down.

 

[alabbasi]

Climate control sets the temp and regulates by itself. With A/C , you set the temp, fan speed and flow of air manually. Which is more reliable? That one with fewer digital operations. I've not had many issues since the ACCIII systems but the older ACC2 systems on the W107/116/123 were pretty horrible.

Buy the best car you can find, if it has climate control, great! If not.. great!

 

[gsxr]

I'd argue that both 124 systems are "climate control".

One automatically can regulate fan speed and airflow outlets, the other requires manual adjustment of fan speed and air outlets. But, both still regulate temperature based on the user-set temperature.

A/C = air conditioning, which is a selectable function of each (turns compressor on/off).

 

[benzboss]

I'd argue that both 124 systems are "climate control".

One automatically can regulate fan speed and airflow outlets, the other requires manual adjustment of fan speed and air outlets. But, both still regulate temperature based on the user-set temperature.

A/C = air conditioning, which is a selectable function of each (turns compressor on/off).



View attachment 230658

Yeah of course, apologies if my wording was a bit ‘wishy-washy’.

All W124s I’ve had have had the manual system, as pictured.

As mentioned, no experience of the ACC apart from two E320 sportlines I went to see for sale in Feb of 2023, both of which had the ACC option and it did not work………

Thought I’d see what people’s thoughts are and the responses have established it’s more of a preference thing as I thought it was, and less reliability-centred.

 

[doolar]

I don't think one is necessarily more reliable, or problematic, than the other. I think the main complaint with automatic climate control (ACC) is the blower speed is rarely what you want it to be. The only options are Min, Max, and Auto where "Auto" generally is short for "Wrong Speed".

Manual climate control (aka "Tempmatic") has dual temp zones, which is nice, assuming it works well. And it has four selectable fan speeds.

The ACC blower speed regulator does seem to fail more often than the speed-control resistor pack used on Tempmatic, but this isn't a dealbreaker. Both systems use vacuum pods under the dash that can fail and require dash removal (not fun) to repair.

I always believed the manual dual zone manual klima was without pods? We discussed this in another thread, did you look it up Dave and found pods on the manual system?

I’ve had the control panel apart many times, and the right dial controlling airflow is cable operated (like a bicycle derailleur wire). But I’ve never looked into what controls the recirc flap, that could be vacuum of course.

Love to hear your take on it, since I’ve never seen any pods nor ever had this system fail on any 124 I’m curious.

It may also be just that the Swedish climate is gentler on these things. I remember everyone on here talking about the mirror boots going brittle about 10 years ago or so, and I had never seen it until they started going brittle here recently.

I really like the dual zone klima, it rarely needs any adjustment, I mainly adjust the fan which I normally keep at 1 or 2. And my wife who prefers ”nuclear core hot” may enjoy the M119’s skills in putting Chernobyl reactor number 4 to shame while I enjoy temperatures made for humans on my side.

 

[gsxr]

Yup, I looked it up! The manual Tempmatic still has vacuum pods, just fewer of them. It does NOT have a defroster pod or footwell pod. But, Tempmatic still has the other 4 main pods... main air/recirculation, center vent, and diverter... all of which require pulling the dash to replace.

 

[doolar]

Yup, I looked it up! The manual Tempmatic still has vacuum pods, just fewer of them. It does NOT have a defroster pod or footwell pod. But, Tempmatic still has the other 4 main pods... main air/recirculation, center vent, and diverter... all of which require pulling the dash to replace.

Ok then I’ll stop spreading my misinformation and prepare my incoming anxiety fit.