BMW Repair: air-con unit,19990318is., gauge wires, knee protector

Question
hi,air-con unit working intermittently in my car,1999 318is m-pack model.fully auto air-con.was told the heat resistor has blown,have new one ordered from bmw (100euro!).need to know how to fit it.can u help?thanks.niall.

Answer
Niall, I will assume you have an E36 because they didn't produce a 318is in a E46 for the U.S. market. You don't sound like you have a U.S. market car though. My knowledge is only in U.S. models, but I will give instruction on how to replace the Final Stage resistor in a U.S. car and hope it is the same for you. If your car is an E46 then send another post to me and I will give you separate instructions for that. E36= Remove the drivers side lower knee protector pad. Two screws in front facing the driver at the top of the pad leather. 2-3 screws on the plastic portion in the footwell. Left corner that meets the door has some clips/tabs. Wiggle to remove. Pull back and remove the gong connectors. In the footwell toward the center of the firewall direction you will see a long four wire connector with big gauge wires in it. That is your final stage. Pull to remove. Install in reverse order.
-Evan