that BMW smell

[donp325xi]

I don't want to beat what is probably a very dead horse... but I am new to this forum, and BMWs, and I searched but could not find threads on this issue. It has to do with THAT SMELL, y'know the burnt crayon smell? Old musty rug smell? Anything new or groundbreaking on this one? It is really nasty. It's taking some of the love out of my newly purchased '03 325xi.

[bimmerjph]

I don't want to beat what is probably a very dead horse... but I am new to this forum, and BMWs, and I searched but could not find threads on this issue. It has to do with THAT SMELL, y'know the burnt crayon smell? Old musty rug smell? Anything new or groundbreaking on this one? It is really nasty. It's taking some of the love out of my newly purchased '03 325xi.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I have read that it is the insulation in the car that makes the smell.

[donp325xi]

Just after posting this, I found a bunch of threads on this topic. Apparently I am supposed to love it. Many people do. I guess I will just have to give up hating. Sounds like it's one of those things that binds BMW owners together.

[uroe46]

You won't even notice it after the first thirty days (just ingnore it and it becomes a part of the rush) ... hahaha

[jhyan]

I only notice mine now when I open the trunk... it's really bad in the trunk.

[bimmerjph]

I only notice mine now when I open the trunk... it's really bad in the trunk.

Mine too

[SexualChocolate]

I have no idea what you guys are talking about. It's been years and numerous BMWs so maybe I am just so used to the smell that I cannot recall ever smelling it the first time.

[uroe46]

I have no idea what you guys are talking about. It's been years and numerous BMWs so maybe I am just so used to the smell that I cannot recall ever smelling it the first time.

Its there; but, not worth trading in the ultimate drive!

[Khef 01 E46]

I've never really smelt it either. But I could be used to it from my dads car.

[Oli77]

I like the smell in the cabin.

In the trunk, it's another story.

Maybe try some backing soda on the trunk mat for 24 hours and then vaccum it up?

[nikesb538]

my trunk smells like crayons for sure. i don't mind that. but my sister say that my car smells like pretzels....who knew.

[gmtmaster]

I don't want to beat what is probably a very dead horse... but I am new to this forum, and BMWs, and I searched but could not find threads on this issue. It has to do with THAT SMELL, y'know the burnt crayon smell? Old musty rug smell? Anything new or groundbreaking on this one? It is really nasty. It's taking some of the love out of my newly purchased '03 325xi.

Go get a civic. I hear plastic and rice smell go well together.

[Oli77]

Go get a civic. I hear plastic and rice smell go well together.

nice.

[gmtmaster]

nice.

Was meant to be a joke.

[White Knuckles2]

Someone has got to break the old news to the poster. The "smelty crayon" odor is released from the trunk, rear deck and sometimes under rear seat insulation matting. Seems the factory used a mold release agent to pop out the insulation shapes. The resulting release chemicals off-gas the lovely scent for years especially in warm weather.

You can; mask it with Febreeze, rip out and replace all affected material or vent the trunk for a couple hours on a hot day. Other then replacement, most measures are temporary. I've learned to live with it as not harmful, just unique.

[pimpin325ci]

I have no idea what you guys are talking about. It's been years and numerous BMWs so maybe I am just so used to the smell that I cannot recall ever smelling it the first time.

Agreed. I've never smelt anything foul from a BMW's interior, only the lovely smell of German leather. And if that's the smell you complainers are talking about, then you all need to be driving a ford or a shevy.

[MusclesGlasses]

Was meant to be a joke.

I found it funny

[uroe46]

Agreed. I've never smelt anything foul from a BMW's interior, only the lovely smell of German leather. And if that's the smell you complainers are talking about, then you all need to be driving a ford or a shevy.

As mentioned the drive out weigh the smell but i thought your comment was funny ... you know me too well see the Burb in the back <w>

[donp325xi]

Thanks you all for your comments. I get it. I LOVE the drive. Smell? what smell? I have forgotten about it already. Sorry I even brought it up.

[schenk829]

would love to have that smell back.. hit a skunk the other day and now my car wreaks of it!

[nathancarter]

I don't really notice it any more. SOMEtimes I smell it in the trunk if the car isn't driven - for instance, if I leave it at the airport when I go on vacation.

Other people always say, "Your car smells like crayons."

[tommramon]

Maybe the guy has a water leak either in the sunroof or windshield.........thats the only non-lovely smells in any of my 8-10 BMW's. I've never had any "crayon" smell in any of them. Only leather.

[e3thekid]

It smells pretty weird in there haha. i just popped in an air freshner to mask it. it worked but if i really get in there i can sniff out that GREAT smell.

[acrrrn]

my wifes 325i touring has no trunk and has the infamous crayon smell, her old 99 328i had it too, but my 330i doesnt have it, go figure

[abz]

The unique and addictive smell of a new car, known as simply 'the new car smell', is due to the glue and adhesives used in the manufacturing process. Each manufacturer uses a different glue, which is why a Hyundai smells different from a Ford which is different than a BMW, etc. We are naturally attracted to the smell of chemicals used in glue (remember smelling model airplane glue? Me neither, hehe). Car manufacturers actually spend a huge amount of time picking glues and adhesives that will create a unique sensory experience when you test drive their cars on the lot.

Learn something new every day.