I noticed today that something that's is behind where the front cup holders are, under the hvac controls get pretty hot. It's black plastic. My ankle or calf sort of rests against it or very close while driving. I felt it after driving with my hand from both the driver and passenger side and it gets very hot.

So I guess my question is; what is it ? and is it normal that it get hot?

The exhaust manifold is right in front of it. But I can't see it getting that hot.

It's summer. Did you mistakenly leave heat on full with fan off? Could be bad heat regulator stuck in open position.

No. Dial is set to cold and the fan was off. And the radio was on.

I've done a lot of google searches and have come up empty. I just got my mini so I'm not sure if this is normal or not.

Turn the recirculation on and report back with your findings

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=64&fg=05

It's the air inlet duct. Number 2 on the diagram. I suppose it could just be heat from the engine compartment being drawn in. It was 27 to 30 degrees celsius yesterday.

If I turned on the recirculation than I wouldn't be getting any outside air coming in and the inlet duct probably won't be as hot. I'll report back.

So, I drove around with the recirculation on and the air inlet duct doesn't seem to get as hot. Nothing to worry about I guess. Summer is hot lol.