[TheBMWBuster]

My new X3 is leaking water from the front passenger pillar. It is coming out of the horizontal seam about an inch below the top of the dash and causing the carpet to get wet. The seam is hidden if the door is closed. The leak seems to occur when water is sprayed on the outer side front portion of the roof rail. I have an appointment scheduled for Monday and would like to know if anyone has anything information that would help in diagnosing and solving the problem.

[arciga18]

YIKESSS. Keep us posted

[ed4]

I had your same exact problem with my (at the time, new) 2001 Audi S4. The cause to my issue was a clogged rain gutter drain, which had caused my inside front passenger footwell to get wet.

The dealer should quickly be able to diagnose your issue and either clear any clogs or to refit any weather seals. A real disappointment in a new car, but it's not too bad to resolve. Good luck!

[Khelms04]

Any updates on this? My '19 X3 recently had a leak from the driver's side A pillar and microphone in the ceiling. It's never done this before and sits outside at work in rainstorms all the time. I was shocked and very upset. Everything dried out quickly with no lingering issues since it's been so hot here lately.

My X3 has 8,300 miles and is garage kept and never sits under trees. The sunroof drains are fine, front and rear. I've poured copious amounts of water into the rain gutters with the sunroof open and all four drains evacuate the water immediately. I can't seem to replicate the leak!

This leak occurred after a heavy downpour while I was parked sideways on a slight incline; the vehicle was essentially leaning to the left towards the driver's side. We were at a friend's house and the only place to park was along the edge of the ditch. My sunroof and doors were closed so that's not the culprit. I'm at a loss, especially given that I cannot replicate the issue even when pouring buckets of water onto the roof and windshield seams.

What do you think could have caused this? I've attached a picture of the water seeping from the A pillar.

[Toodalu]

Sunroof drains would be my 1st guess since it's common to see water around the drivers phone mic and 2nd common issue, are the pano seals. Open the sun roof and inspect the drains on each corner. While there, inspect the seals around the pano roof.

[Khelms04]

Originally Posted by iwhineX3

Sunroof drains would be my 1st guess since it's common to see water around the drivers phone mic and 2nd common issue, are the pano seals. Open the sun roof and inspect the drains on each corner. While there, inspect the seals around the pano roof.

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it. The drains were my first thought, as well. I even replicated parking in the same position and poured water into the gutters and couldn’t get it to leak. I’ve recalibrated the sunroof to ensure proper closing, but it appears that it was fine to begin with. The sunroof seals look fine as I treat them with non-silicone protectant and keep them wiped free of debris. There is literally nothing but a bit of pollen in the rain gutters; not even a speck of debris. I wouldn’t expect any different being only a few months old and garage kept.

Could the car being parked tilted to the left have perhaps caused even properly functioning rain gutters/drains to become overwhelmed and leak water into the headliner during a heavy rain? Just a thought. I’d hate to think that, but I’m running out of ideas. I also don’t want my dealer taking stuff apart and risk panels/pieces not being reassembled properly. Plus, it doesn’t look as though they’ll be able to recreate the leak anyway. Thanks again for any input!

[satz]

My guess too would have been the sunroof drains, but it looks like you've tested them well. I'm sure I've read other thread/s with exactly the same location of leak as you describe. They turned out to be the sunroof drain in those cases.

Perhaps the hole where the roof rail attaches to the roof might not be properly sealed?

Is yours the original windscreen?

PLease let us know how you go..

[satz]

if it's any help, here's a diagram showing the drain holes, and pipes for the sunroof

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=54_0562

[powerpop2000]

Ok, this thing just happened to me. Parked car on level ground for a week at a northeast airport in the winter weather. Came back to 10'F cold temps and an icicle along the interior door below the glove box. And drips of water coming from the microphone and map light when turning L or R.

So I've read the thread and understand the problem of clogged drain plugs.

The question is, WHY? When the sunroof is closed, isn't this a closed system??

It's at the dealer ….

[MX330I]

Had that too. Dealer said the car was parked at a wrong angle

[Dandle]

Does anyone know where the rear drains actually drain out. I've cleaned the front drains on my car but cant find the rear ones.

[mbarlik]

Were there any updates on this and what dealer did to fix it? My car started to have "wet dog" smell, I took it to the dealership but they found "No Issues" & charged me for 1hr of labor...

I ended up spreading water on my car and found exactly same leak on side coming from between the panel.

The drain holes seem to be fine and they drain water just fine. There is no leak when I pour water in to the drain hole.

[Danyelmathers]

Hi chaps,
I've just bought my X3 xdriver2.0i December 2018 registered.
Love it. However:
I have this issues that you guys mentioned.
I took the car to get cameras fitted by someone and he told me that my passager side footwell is well soaked.
I took the seat out and trims and it's all soaking wet. Only on passager.
I've opened up the sunroof and poured all at once a 500ml bottle of water, and I saw water dripping from the trim down by the windscreen and also a bit wet by the microphone on the passager side.
I took that trim out but unfortunately the drain is thru the chassis of the vehicle. So tomorrow I'll try and unclog it somehow.
Hopefully I'll sort it...

[Danyelmathers]

Originally Posted by Danyelmathers

Hi chaps,
I've just bought my X3 xdriver2.0i December 2018 registered.
Love it. However:
I have this issues that you guys mentioned.
I took the car to get cameras fitted by someone and he told me that my passager side footwell is well soaked.
I took the seat out and trims and it's all soaking wet. Only on passager.
I've opened up the sunroof and poured all at once a 500ml bottle of water, and I saw water dripping from the trim down by the windscreen and also a bit wet by the microphone on the passager side.
I took that trim out but unfortunately the drain is thru the chassis of the vehicle. So tomorrow I'll try and unclog it somehow.
Hopefully I'll sort it...

UPDATE ON THIS.

TODAY I FOUND OUT 2 THINGS.
1 small glass back seal has shrunk, not enough to leak water yet.
2 and the most important thing:

THE SEAL THAT IS BETWEEN THE WINDSCREN AND THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE HAS GOT A BIT DETACHED, MAKING THIS A NIGHTMARE.
I've attached some pictures for reference of how the seals are on my car and how it should be.