How do I get the new MINI (Interior) smell back? (Besides the Obvious!) PLEASE HELP!

[ChiliCooperS]

I started another thread on this topic but it was a dud. So with a revised title and newly accuired info from the back seat I can better ask this question.

For the past month or so I have been driving to golf practice with my golf clubs, shoes and other items that I thought originally was stinking up my car. I've had my clubs out for about a week and a half now and the stench is still there, it's not bad, but I don't like, and almost cry when I think of how awesome my MINI smelled when new. Saturday I found the culprit: A Lucky Brand shirt with a pressed (ironed) on patch that smelled exactly like the stink from the car.

It's out now but the stench is still there.

What can I do without making my car smell like a coach store, as others have suggested, to make MY MINI, smell like a NEW MINI?

BTW the smell is stronger when the AC is on or when the car sits in the sun for a while.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Mikey

[ChiliCooperS]

Anybody?

[Electron_Mike]

One of my friends commented the other day that my car still smelt new. I thought that was odd, cause Charlie is nearly two, but then I realized that I had just treated the leather seats with some Meguiars foaming leather stuff. While I don't think it smells exactly like new, it does smell good.

[robthemininut]

Try turning off your air conditioner and turning up the fan (not on recirculate) a mile or so before you get to your destination. That will allow the coil time to defrost and dry before you shut if off. If you don't do this it sometimes smells musty. Kind of nasty. Same applies if you are using climate control in the winter. Turn off the A/C and let it dry before shutdown.

If your smell is stronger right after you start up, that might be the culprit.

Also, Griots Garage sells a leather replacement smell stuff. Haven't tried it but the rest of their stuff is all high quality.

Rob

[DVLMINI]

Clean your carpets, bootliner, back of your rear sears and your headliner with some good fabric shampoo. If you have odors stuck in your car it's most likely in those areas. I own dogs. I know.

Originally Posted by ChiliCooperS

Anybody?

[lotsie]

My almost 2 year old MC does not smell new, it does not smell like anything to me.I use 303 areospace on all the interior,even the leatherete seats,to keep it clean.I use one of those rolling lint removers to get the Black Lab's hair off the headliner.She has a blanket in the back that I shake out all the time,and vacume the car regulary.Plus I motor with a window open,even in the winter.
I only use the A/C to cool down the car,or if I'm stuck in traffic.
You could try an open box of baking soda to absorb any bad smells.

[bluesmini]

as with many new BMW's the compressors tend to collect moisture in the vent system. in particular in the air filter. when this happens it gets funky.........not the one for the engine. what you should do is turn your A/C off a few miles before you get to your destination. this will let the A/C dry off so as to not leave any condensation on the inside of the ventalation sys. BMW knowing that this happens will fix it for you. take it to the shop and tell them your car smells like a locker room and you have no idea why. they will replace the in-car air filter and de-odorize the system. after that, you will need to follow the above prescribed actions.

[ChiliCooperS]

By "follow the directions above", what do you mean?


Mikey

Thanks, this thread is way better than the last on this topic!
After they fix it though how do I get the smell back?

[ChiliCooperS]

Originally Posted by robthemininut

smells musty. Kind of nasty.

Yep that's pretty much it!

[bluesmini]

what i mean by that is: after the dealer deodorizes your car you should then start to turn off your A/C a mile or so before you get to your destination so the ventilation system will dry out and not be moist and allow bacteria and mold to grow.

[ChiliCooperS]

Should I detail/deodorize the interior after they get rid of the smell?
This is kind of wierd because I don't use my AC that much, but when I do I don't shut it off until the car shuts off.

I hope this works!

Thanks

Mikey

[Agro]

I friend of mine who was an undertaker claimed that the "new car smell" smells exactly like formaldehyde (sp?). Grab a small bottle and spray a little in your car.