M40i or All X3

kitmonster · 06-08-2020, 05:44 PM

Hi, I have a well maintained and low mileage M40i bought July 2018.

I am very happy with it and even the rattle in the passengers side dash board has disappeared so I was feeling like it was a problem free car...but

In the winter last year I had to leave the car on the roof of a airport parking garage and when I returned the drivers foot well had about half an inch of water in it. It had been raining exceptionally hard in the 3 days I was away and very windy.

There was no water on the sides of the foot well nor any where else, like a roof leak. But there was water in the deep snow mats and under the snow mat the carpet was soaked, again only on the floor not the sides. I dried it out and the garage said they could not find a leak.

Now, even though I have hardly used the car in these COVID times, the carpet under the mat is very wet again. We had a series of thunder storms in the week previously which are accompanied around here by some blustery winds. I pulled the mat and dried it out again. As before no signs of any water coming in from the sides of the foot well.

I know water can find its way in through many different routes and the leak maybe a long way from the wet carpets. Anyone else experience this problem? Any pointers I can give the garage when I tell them about this leak?

Advice appreciated

Richard

Lucky13 · 06-08-2020, 06:07 PM

I remember reading something similar in either Car and Driver or Motor Trend where their long term X3 M40 had a leak. Seems like it was the drain plug was plugged up for the sun roof but you should try and find the article, been in the last year but I can’t remember which magazine or issue.

BMWGuySweden · 06-09-2020, 02:14 AM

I haven't had any leaks but I have noticed that it is often damp under the floor mats in the front during the winter. It even gives a bad smell at times.

Markee · 06-09-2020, 04:22 AM

Just to eliminate this, all cars with AC may leave a little puddle of water as it’s the condensate from the AC system. This normally appears after the car has been in use. I’ve had people point out to me I’ve got a leak when it’s actually been condensate from the AC.

Obviously if the car has been standing at an airport or in a garage for a period of time, then it’s unlikely to be this.

Lucky13 · 06-09-2020, 08:40 AM

A quick google search showed it was Motor Trend had the problems, first time was at the car wash where water was coming through the area around the center console with light switch in the roof. I know they talked about the fix and issue in several updates of their 2018 model.

Orient330iNYC · 06-10-2020, 08:23 AM

have them check to see if the sunroof drains are blocked.

kitmonster · 06-13-2020, 04:55 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I really appreciate the feedback and desire to help.

I may have found where the water is coming from. I use the car once a week during lock down so its been easy to monitor it and check after light and heavy rain. Two days ago we had a light shower so as soon as it had stopped and the sun was out I was out looking. On opening the door I found a small puddle in the winter mat but also the carpet underneath was wet again. I saw water dripping down the hood release catch. Depending where the drip released from the curved released catch depended it hit the car mat, or released early, and hit the carpet by the side of it.

I then saw that I had water ingress between plastic panels on the side of the console where the door closes on to. See photos, II suspect I have a leak in the windscreen edge somewhere. I plan on giving the garage a call Monday and fighting my way through the COVID reluctance to do anything else but servicing and tire changing.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=75544

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=75545

dinan5m3 · 06-20-2020, 11:37 PM

Totally unrelated, but this exact symptom is what i'm going through with (older) e46 and e39, worn out vapor barriers...

Hopefully our g01 cars don't have this crappy barriers with butyl tapes...

Fast400 · 06-21-2020, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitmonster

Thanks for all the responses. I really appreciate the feedback and desire to help.

I may have found where the water is coming from. I use the car once a week during lock down so its been easy to monitor it and check after light and heavy rain. Two days ago we had a light shower so as soon as it had stopped and the sun was out I was out looking. On opening the door I found a small puddle in the winter mat but also the carpet underneath was wet again. I saw water dripping down the hood release catch. Depending where the drip released from the curved released catch depended it hit the car mat, or released early, and hit the carpet by the side of it.

I then saw that I had water ingress between plastic panels on the side of the console where the door closes on to. See photos, II suspect I have a leak in the windscreen edge somewhere. I plan on giving the garage a call Monday and fighting my way through the COVID reluctance to do anything else but servicing and tire changing.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=75544

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=75545

no pics...

Bethusker · 06-21-2020, 08:12 PM

Good to know - something else to keep an eyeon

Es

spta97 · 06-22-2020, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markee

Just to eliminate this, all cars with AC may leave a little puddle of water as it’s the condensate from the AC system. This normally appears after the car has been in use. I’ve had people point out to me I’ve got a leak when it’s actually been condensate from the AC.

Obviously if the car has been standing at an airport or in a garage for a period of time, then it’s unlikely to be this.

Just to clarify, the condensate from the AC is supposed to be on the OUTSIDE underneath the vehicle from the condensate drain. Not on the inside (perhaps this is what you meant). If on the inside, there is an issue. Any moisture on the inside is indicative of an issue.

I recently had this on my Nissan Armada (due to a poor drain design) where the passenger side rug was soaked under my rubber floor mats.

I installed a new drain line and sealed with RTV silicone and I see the water dripping out where it is supposed to. Next step is to ensure it stopped the leak at the inside.

Sometimes drains can get plugged as well.

kitmonster · 07-09-2020, 03:53 PM

Update: After it got worse I fought through the COVID hassle and took the car back in. I didn't take long to call me back and tell me that the sun roof was leaking. The ingress route was in through the roof, inside the liner, down the windscreen piller on the drivers side and then out near the door and onto the floor.

They had the car 2 days and claim its fixed. They had to replace sealing parts around the sun roof. I will update when it rains.

Also, for info, the wireless charger was replaced as it was incorrectly reading too hot and shutting down. The new one worked all the way home so I will see long term.

kitmonster · 07-09-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast400

no pics...

Thanks for the picture failure heads up. I would appreciate it if you could point me to the right help file so I get it right next time!

06-08-2020, 05:44 PM	#1
kitmonster New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	M40i or All X3 - Driver side water leak Hi, I have a well maintained and low mileage M40i bought July 2018. I am very happy with it and even the rattle in the passengers side dash board has disappeared so I was feeling like it was a problem free car...but In the winter last year I had to leave the car on the roof of a airport parking garage and when I returned the drivers foot well had about half an inch of water in it. It had been raining exceptionally hard in the 3 days I was away and very windy. There was no water on the sides of the foot well nor any where else, like a roof leak. But there was water in the deep snow mats and under the snow mat the carpet was soaked, again only on the floor not the sides. I dried it out and the garage said they could not find a leak. Now, even though I have hardly used the car in these COVID times, the carpet under the mat is very wet again. We had a series of thunder storms in the week previously which are accompanied around here by some blustery winds. I pulled the mat and dried it out again. As before no signs of any water coming in from the sides of the foot well. I know water can find its way in through many different routes and the leak maybe a long way from the wet carpets. Anyone else experience this problem? Any pointers I can give the garage when I tell them about this leak? Advice appreciated Richard
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06-08-2020, 06:07 PM	#2
Lucky13 Lucky13 211 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, S.C. iTrader: (0)	I remember reading something similar in either Car and Driver or Motor Trend where their long term X3 M40 had a leak. Seems like it was the drain plug was plugged up for the sun roof but you should try and find the article, been in the last year but I can’t remember which magazine or issue. __________________ 1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
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06-09-2020, 02:14 AM	#3
BMWGuySweden First Lieutenant 192 Rep 325 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I haven't had any leaks but I have noticed that it is often damp under the floor mats in the front during the winter. It even gives a bad smell at times.
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06-09-2020, 04:22 AM	#4
Markee Private First Class 85 Rep 179 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Carbon Black Join Date: May 2014 Location: Oxford iTrader: (0)	Just to eliminate this, all cars with AC may leave a little puddle of water as it’s the condensate from the AC system. This normally appears after the car has been in use. I’ve had people point out to me I’ve got a leak when it’s actually been condensate from the AC. Obviously if the car has been standing at an airport or in a garage for a period of time, then it’s unlikely to be this. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i Carbon Black.
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06-09-2020, 08:40 AM	#5
Lucky13 Lucky13 211 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, S.C. iTrader: (0)	A quick google search showed it was Motor Trend had the problems, first time was at the car wash where water was coming through the area around the center console with light switch in the roof. I know they talked about the fix and issue in several updates of their 2018 model. __________________ 1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
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06-10-2020, 08:23 AM	#6
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1469 Rep 3,552 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	have them check to see if the sunroof drains are blocked. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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06-13-2020, 04:55 PM	#7
kitmonster New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the responses. I really appreciate the feedback and desire to help. I may have found where the water is coming from. I use the car once a week during lock down so its been easy to monitor it and check after light and heavy rain. Two days ago we had a light shower so as soon as it had stopped and the sun was out I was out looking. On opening the door I found a small puddle in the winter mat but also the carpet underneath was wet again. I saw water dripping down the hood release catch. Depending where the drip released from the curved released catch depended it hit the car mat, or released early, and hit the carpet by the side of it. I then saw that I had water ingress between plastic panels on the side of the console where the door closes on to. See photos, II suspect I have a leak in the windscreen edge somewhere. I plan on giving the garage a call Monday and fighting my way through the COVID reluctance to do anything else but servicing and tire changing. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=75544 https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=75545
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06-20-2020, 11:37 PM	#8
dinan5m3 Colonel 4192 Rep 2,049 Posts Drives: e39 m5 e46 m3 g01 x3m40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: RTP NC iTrader: (0)	Totally unrelated, but this exact symptom is what i'm going through with (older) e46 and e39, worn out vapor barriers... Hopefully our g01 cars don't have this crappy barriers with butyl tapes...
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06-21-2020, 08:12 PM	#10
Bethusker Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2020 X-3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Cape Coral Fl iTrader: (0)	Water leak Good to know - something else to keep an eyeon Es
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07-09-2020, 03:53 PM	#12
kitmonster New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Update: After it got worse I fought through the COVID hassle and took the car back in. I didn't take long to call me back and tell me that the sun roof was leaking. The ingress route was in through the roof, inside the liner, down the windscreen piller on the drivers side and then out near the door and onto the floor. They had the car 2 days and claim its fixed. They had to replace sealing parts around the sun roof. I will update when it rains. Also, for info, the wireless charger was replaced as it was incorrectly reading too hot and shutting down. The new one worked all the way home so I will see long term.
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