[xswhzx]

Hi, guys,

Just bought the new X5 2019 in December 2018 here in US mid-west. Ever since I got the car, I can smell something like oil/exhaust smell from the vent whenever I stop at a traffic light/stop sign after the car has been driven for 20+ minutes and fully warmed up.

I brought it back to the dealer twice, and the service advisor could also smell it. First time they said it was probably cosmoline. The second time they said it was probably plastic off-gasing, and should dissipate over time. They also said that they tested drive another X5 and had the same smell. Now I'm at 2000+ miles and can still smell the same strong odor.

So, I'm wondering whether any of you guys smell anything strange from the vent. For me, the smell is so strong that I have to roll down the windows whenever I stop at a traffic light.

Another thing is that I opened the hood the other day trying to sniff out where the smell came from. Really couldn't tell. But I found two potential issues. One is the rusty "column", and the other is some white residuals (picture attached). So, is it normal for a new car to have this kind of rust? And what is the white stuff? Road salt?

Anyway, I really hate the smell. Would really like your opinions on what it could be and whether you experience the same thing.

Thank you all for your help!

[AndroidRobot]

No smells on mine. Is yours a 40i or 50i

[puraj83]

No smells here. Week 49.

[xswhzx]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

No smells on mine. Is yours a 40i or 50i

A 40i.

[salfeet84]

Originally Posted by xswhzx

A 40i.

I'd try a different dealership if there's one around...

[wrickem]

Zero smell here from day one besides that good (to me) new car smell.

Find another dealer to take it to.

[Dopas]

Mine has this rubber smell when you get out of car, not inside.. just got delivered two weeks ago (Production Date March 15th 2019). X30D, will have it checked.
lso had one of the seats not reclining which they fix.. in two weeks... will get the smell checked too.
Yesterday I also had the car outside vent going for at least 15min after car was turned off....
Weird... With F15 over the last five years I had no problems whatsoever...

[gpitts]

Negative on any smells other than the remnants of the new car smell.

[natahoa]

My car is one week since delivery, no smells. And I would notice that.

[maczrool]

Mine smells like a new car and I don’t see any rust or residue under the hood.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by xswhzx

Hi, guys,

Just bought the new X5 2019 in December 2018 here in US mid-west. Ever since I got the car, I can smell something like oil/exhaust smell from the vent whenever I stop at a traffic light/stop sign after the car has been driven for 20+ minutes and fully warmed up.

I brought it back to the dealer twice, and the service advisor could also smell it. First time they said it was probably cosmoline. The second time they said it was probably plastic off-gasing, and should dissipate over time. They also said that they tested drive another X5 and had the same smell. Now I'm at 2000+ miles and can still smell the same strong odor.

So, I'm wondering whether any of you guys smell anything strange from the vent. For me, the smell is so strong that I have to roll down the windows whenever I stop at a traffic light.

Another thing is that I opened the hood the other day trying to sniff out where the smell came from. Really couldn't tell. But I found two potential issues. One is the rusty "column", and the other is some white residuals (picture attached). So, is it normal for a new car to have this kind of rust? And what is the white stuff? Road salt?

Anyway, I really hate the smell. Would really like your opinions on what it could be and whether you experience the same thing.

Thank you all for your help!

First off, the smell is not normal. Dealers like saying..."they all do that". Try to isolate where the smell is coming from. You said the vent, which vent? Try all vents individually. Only fresh air from the outside coming in? Try the A/C and then the heat. Does it smell only after the car gets up to temp or immediately upon first start in the morning?

Your pic of the white residue is too zoomed in for me to know what part of the car it is. Can you wipe it off with your finger? Is it gritty, greasy or? The rusty part is suspicious unless its in an area where you may have rubbed/worn off the paint and then got salty water on it from your shoe, but again, I can't quite tell where that is in your car.

[mjbillmeier]

Did this smell end up going away? Mine's doing the same thing. When moving, all smells are 'normal'. When I stop the burning smell comes in from vent. When parked, if I go smell the passenger front wheel well, the smell is very strong.

[FreddyBMW]

Check if any mouse or small crawling insect died in the engine room. My sisters car had a mouse died in the engine room and it took long to figure out where the smell was coming from. he was found dead/stuck in the electrical/wiring area of the engine room.

[The Libertine]

Foul odors are indeed not normal, and just because other X5s on a lot exhibit the same odor does not make it so. Agree with others who suggest trying another dealer.

[randybobandy]

Not sure if you figured it out, but for stuff that’s unable to be diagnosed by my SA or one of the techs, I usually get the shop foreman. I’ve had to road test with the foreman at my dealership twice to fix something that was such a small thing, that it created a bigger problem. Luckily, I am 2 for 2. I would only use the shop foreman if you’re not getting the attention or service you expect stemming from an issue. Your issue sounds like that, so I would definitely consider it. No one is going to fault you.

[Stinkyxy]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Foul odors are indeed not normal, and just because other X5s on a lot exhibit the same odor does not make it so. Agree with others who suggest trying another dealer.

I'm quite sure they lied about the other car.

[flyinglarry]

Not such smell
But a new car smell that has a high level of formaldehyde

[mjbillmeier]

Just to clarify my g05 has just over 800 miles now. I do recall the ‘burn off’ smell during the first couple hundred and that I thought went away. I’m not the DD of the g05 so can’t say if it’s just me smelling something that’s not really there.