Fitting will be possible without changing the engine but very complicated.
You will need a different heater box so that means that the entire dash comes out.
Then there is the changing of the radiator setup,fitting a aircon compressor and all the pipework and then the wiring to the fusebox
and a aircon/heater panel.Google for a bmw retrofit guide and see for yourself.
Aircon parts are expensive and a garage will charge big money to do it.
I will be fitting aircon to my 320d this year but im getting all the parts for handy money and i will be doing it myself as i have the use of a second car while mine is laid up.

 

Excellent reply.. I will look around to see if anyone can do it. I have a feeling it might end up being too expensive especially in this part of the world.
If its definitely cheaper than changing the engine ill go for it.

 

Might be cheaper to buy a non running 318is that has aircon and swap the bits into your car.

 

I was thinking the same. But the 318is that has aircon has a different engine. Well, slightly different. A 318is from 1993 to 1996 like mine has an M42 engine and the ones with an aircon are post 1996 M44 engines (I stand to be corrected).

However, I do not think the difference is that much and should be a relatively cheap mod.

Thankx edber :thumbsup

 

You need to find out if aircon is actually available in your cars year.
I know i said that its possible to retrofit but if the car isnt prepared for aircon then thats a different story.
By prepared i mean access hole from engine bay to bulkhead to allow refrigerent hoses to pass to the heater box.
Mounting point on the engine block to attach the aircon compressor pump.
An empty slot on the crankcase pulley for the pump belt or a way to attach a pully.
Things like that.What you need to do is compare your e36 to another e36 that has aircon and see if your car can acomodate aircon fitment.
I have researched my car and everything is in place for me to retrofit aircon even down to a spare pully for the pump.
Bmw generally use the same layout throughout the model range as in that an e36 coupe or saloon or whatever without aircon will have the holes and stuff there albiet covered up with a removable panel
the same as a e36 with aircon,if you know what i mean.

 

i have fitted the gen bmw air con kits to theses cars years ago when they where still the current 3 series in production , the bulk head on the car is al the same and there will be holes to run the pipes . in the gen kit , apart from what has being said , heater box . compresser , pipes, ect , there was also new crank pully , belt and ac belt tensioner . not forgetting the condenser and dryer at the from , the kit came with differant air scoops for the front and a differant set of front coil springs as there is extra weight at the front of the car , i know that sounds daft but BMW thought it was nessuary to include this in there kit . dont forget about the new heater /ac control unit in the dash , and dont froget to programe the car as well to exept the AC fitment

 

Thanks. Sounds like quiet a job. As long as its easier than changing the engine I guess. Does this mean I could go find a scrapped e36 (318,316,320) with air con take take out all these parts and they fit them on mine?

 

Would probably be best to find a scrapped e36 the same as your car,like for like.

 

I have been doing a lot of looking around. Scrap yards, Aircon specialist and mechanics. Found a place that will fit every thing for 700 GPB. Its a lot of money indeed but in this part of the world to get a similar car with aircon would cost me no less than 2000 GBP. I am going to go for it. Will try to bring the price down as i will be doing everything at one place. Its a scrap yard with a lot of dead E36 sedans.