Hi all!

This is my first post here with my "new" 2015 MCS F55. I just took delivery of it with around 8k miles and since then I noticed a strong electrical smell emanating from the passenger side seats... so much so that I sometimes need to open the windows to air out the car. I do not smell it on the outside of the car

It happens while driving but even when I sitting in idle... I don't have any electronics plugged in and I don't see any faults on the dash and everything seems to work well.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

If from the front seat, a heated seat issue?

 

Good point. I do not have heated seats.

 

Is it the first time you have used the heater this year?

 

No I have not had to use the heater yet here... I'm lucky I guess. It really seems to be isolated around the passenger seat area... In fact it was my passenger that noticed it, I cannot smell it as badly from the drivers side.

 

I do have the HK sound system, does it have subwoofers underneath the passenger seats?

 

Yes. Under both front seats. About the size of a hard cover book, black, and along the outer edge. There is also a speaker and the power window motor in the door.

If you've been playing Barry Manilow your sound system is telling you something

 

hmm I wonder if there is a short with the sub woofer?

 

Dude, time to get off the computer and get your car into a shop before it catches fire.

 

So the smell comes and goes and doesn't seem to be consistent. It doesn't seem to be related with the audio system. I will keep investigating. I really don't want to waste my time and go to the dealership and for them to think I'm crazy and say "could not replicate..." because honestly I cannot replicate it consistently either.

 

The limited Mini dealership network is a nightmare and a big problem. At worst, do you have a BMW dealer close to check what is the issue?

When they cannot replicate, they don't care and tell you to come later.

 

The "electrical smell" has mostly subsided... now that I have had the car for approx 2 weeks.

After sniffing around my entire car... I THINK... that the smell is of the rubber seals around the rear hatch... I will keep monitoring and post back.