[HSM2C]

Hello everyone,

I just paid a deposit on a used M2C (in Canada). I had the car checked and inspected, and bought a Carfax report and everything seems perfect.

Anyways, I'm in the process of having the car exported to my country of residence (Saudi Arabia) and wanted to be extra sure about not facing any issues with maintenance. So I provided the VIN to BMW of Saudi Arabia and the maintenance manager told me that the Canadian car uses a different type of refrigerant (R1234yf) vs the one BMW uses in Saudi (R134a). He claimed that they would not be able to guarantee nor fix any HVAC issues that I might encounter.

So I did a bit of digging using a few VIN decoding websites and compared the options on the one I "bought" to one that's advertised on Autotrader (in Texas). The weather here where I live is very similar to the weather in Texas, in terms of heat at least.

I found that both cars were pretty much identical, they both have a (hot climate version) option (code S823A), even the Canadian one, and both use the same refrigerant type (option code S8R9A).

Not 100% satisfied, I went and checked the VINs of a 2019 M850i and a 2018 X5M sold here by BMW (Saudi) but there was no mention of the type of refrigerant for both cars. However, both cars had the (hot climate version) option and both had a (gulf version) option (code L822A).

I'll add the VINs of the 3 cars below ("my" M2C, M850i, and the X5M).

Not to make this post any longer, did anyone run into any sort of issue similar to this? Would anyone know what exactly comes in the (Gulf Version) option? Would it be possible/easy to change refrigerant types if I had to? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

This is my first post here as I'm still a new member, hopefully it won't be my last (fingers crossed that this is not a major issue and I manage to complete my purchase).

M2C: WBS2U7C59KVB09006
M850i: WBAFY4A01KBJ97841
X5M: WBSKT6102J0Z73067

[ContactPatch]

[QUOTE=HSM2C;24768826]Hello everyone,

Would anyone know what exactly comes in the (Gulf Version) option?

The Dillon M134D Gatling Gun, roof mounted with remote.

Just kidding.

[TwistedConsciousness]

As far as I'm aware the compressors are the same. Can anyone confirm? If the compressors and the same there should be no issue in using either of those types of refrigerant.

I know Canada has some restrictions on R134a. Had a difficult ass time ordering some for work. That could be why there is a difference.

Just do not mix the refrigerants. You need a complete flush of the entire system.

[HSM2C]

Originally Posted by TwistedConsciousness

As far as I'm aware the compressors are the same. Can anyone confirm? If the compressors and the same there should be no issue in using either of those types of refrigerant.

I know Canada has some restrictions on R134a. Had a difficult ass time ordering some for work. That could be why there is a difference.

Just do not mix the refrigerants. You need a complete flush of the entire system.

Thanks for the info TwistedConsciousness,

I asked a number of different BMW specialist workshops around here and they all confirmed that all new BMWs will have the new refrigerant (R1234yf). They also confirmed that they're in the process of acquiring new charging/recharging machines since it'll be mandatory to do HVAC maintenance jobs.

I'm starting to believe that the BMW maintenance manager didn't know what he was talking about.