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Thread: Mysterious BMW fires?

  1. #1
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    Mysterious BMW fires?

    ABC news reported this morning in a news segment for a growing concern in the USA about BMW cars mysteriously catching on fire while parked. ABC reported that BMW Germany, is aware but has no explanation. ABC further reported that 'mysterious BMW fires' have been reported from all over the globe. BMW declines to answer questions of the globally growing concern.

    Has anyone followed this?

    The ABC news report indicated BMW cars effected with the mysterious fire issue as far as they reported go back 5 years...but may also go back much further including many BMW cars produced before 2010.

    The thought that a parked car inside of a garage that could self-ignite fire...can burn the whole house down!

    I have a 2003 325xi. I do park it inside of a garage...ANYONE?

  2. #2
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    Ebay headlights are the biggest fire risk for e46. I watch a lot of salvage auctions and almost never see burned e46.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  3. #3
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    Good to know...My headlight assembly are original................ "I watch a lot of salvage auctions and almost never see burned e46." That's good, but...do you have any info about the ABC news story published yesterday....that about BMW cars catching on fire...world-wide?...............are you interested in this news report???
    Last edited by Eaglesail; 05-12-2017 at 01:59 PM.

  4. #4
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    First I've heard of it, but my E38 is the newest bimmer I own at 2000.........until I can pick up my M3....that's a 2003......never see any burned up BMW's in the auctions here either tho. New or old.
    2000 740i - 149K - Dville Monsoon rear deck speaker upgrade, GROM audio Bluetooth
    1998 528i - 204K - GROM audio Bluetooth setup, Drilled/Slotted Rotors, BSW Stage One speaker kit, Facelift Xenon's with Angel Eyes
    2003 M3 - 210K - BMW Euro Cross Drilled Rotors

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Eaglesail View Post
    Good to know...My headlight assembly are original................ "I watch a lot of salvage auctions and almost never see burned e46." That's good, but...do you have any info about the ABC news story published yesterday....that about BMW cars catching on fire...world-wide?...............are you interested in this news report???
    Nope, i havent heard of any bmw fire problems. 99% of car fires are caused by aftermarket accessories(or poor installation of accessories) or poor maintenance. Very few are truly Random.

    EDIT: here you go.. http://jalopnik.com/abc-news-big-inv...a-b-1795121798
    Last edited by legoman67; 05-13-2017 at 02:05 AM.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  6. #6
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    1999 540iT, 2001 530i
    I posted about my e39 LCM burning up a few weeks ago. Serious irreparable damage occured to the main harness and the car has to get parted out.

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...light=lcm+fire

    Here are a couple of more photos after I was able to get my passenger door open to investigate.

    http://imgur.com/a/JrlUO

    What isn't shown is the fuse panel behind the glovebox that is also completely melted. The harness leading to each one of the modules was completely melted. I am simply lucky that the whole car did not go up in flames. There is smoke damage in the car and burn marks on the windshield. I think there is a problem with having the fuses in an area that can discreetly take on water without a way to isolate the positive and negative or putting them in a waterproof box like the ecu is in. I'm fully discouraged by loosing my daily driver to some random circumstance and was almost elated to see some coverage of similar situations.

  7. #7
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    I know this isn't particularly relevant to reports of late-model fires, but there is a fascinating thread over on the E34 board right now about a guy that bought a Touring that had a fire in the HVAC system and has completely repaired it. Link below for those of you that might be interested. He's done a heck of a job with that car...

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ed-E34-project

  8. #8
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    Yep. E34s had a really difficult and hidden microfilter, right next to the sword.
    Generally they never got changed so you got all the lint and hair and everything sitting right next to an ignition source.
    Surprised more didn't burn.

    Im not worried at all about fires. Be more worried if I drove a Ford pick up / SUV.
    They are known to catch fire and had several recalls to ameliorate the issue.


    ABC news... are they the same ones who had that sensational news piece about GM truck tanks some 20-25 years ago?

    No that was dateline. Either way, it's about the same level of journalism. Shite.
    If I were to give my Touring a first name, I'd probably name it "Alan".
    Mostly because I like puns.
    Mutual Admiration Society #5

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Onizukachan View Post
    Yep. E34s had a really difficult and hidden microfilter, right next to the sword.
    Generally they never got changed so you got all the lint and hair and everything sitting right next to an ignition source.
    Surprised more didn't burn.

    Im not worried at all about fires. Be more worried if I drove a Ford pick up / SUV.
    They are known to catch fire and had several recalls to ameliorate the issue.


    ABC news... are they the same ones who had that sensational news piece about GM truck tanks some 20-25 years ago?

    No that was dateline. Either way, it's about the same level of journalism. Shite.
    I'm laughing so hard I have water coming from my eyes! Better check all those BMWs for model rocket motors!

  10. #10
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    I read that report. It seems to me to be another instance of the news media further blurring the line between reporting the news and making it. I've seen a couple of burnt BMWs; I've also seen a few burnt Mopars, Fords, GMs and Jags. What surprises me, or maybe it isn't so surprising, is that everyone is looking to BMW for an explanation, without anyone identifying the root cause of any of the fires.

    The vast majority of the fires that I've seen was due to user/modder error. Youngsters modding cars with disastrous results. These days, even an unknowing adult can buy an aftermarket alarm system from a seemingly knowledgeable vendor only to have it installed incorrectly or have equipment defective by design installed.

    With what I've witnessed, I wouldn't be at all surprised if, at least, most of these fires were due to poor maintenance. I've looked at several friends' and friends of friends' cars only to ask them, didn't you hear or feel that grinding every time you hit the brakes, or didn't you smell that gas, or didn't you smell that oil or did you really think all of that smoke was normal? Peoples' lack of awareness simply never ceases to amaze me. I can't tell you how many CELs I've made go away by simply tightening or replacing the gas cap.

    I wouldn't lose any sleep over this. I can totally see a bunch of news reporters sitting around a table someplace at ABC with the head guy/lady saying, ok, we need a story....on the other hand, I think I'll go move the Beamers to the far end of the driveway...LOL

  11. #11
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    Yes Junk news. I watched their report and the only thing in common between all the burning cars they showed was the badge on the back. The engine blocks are not even the same.

    ABC... No need to panic the public with non actionable information

    My guess.....Animal nests on the engines. I bought a used 330i with a huge one right on the injectors. Let that smolder awhile and volia. Fire after the car has been shut off a long time.

    If you are worried check to make sure there isn't an animal nest on the engine.

    Thaniel

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