When I start the car after it's been in the garage overnight I get a strong *medicinal* smell, I assume from the AC. After a few minutes it goes away (or I get used to it). This topic was discussed on the E39 boards and the consensus was stagnant water in the system (could that be?). Solution was to spray Lysol into the vents. It never happened in my E39 so I didn't pay too much attention. Anyone have this problem? My 530 has c. 3100 mi., seems not to be running hot, although who can tell w/o a temp gauge, so I doubt there's a cooling system problem. Appreciate any ideas.

I could be wrong but I think it's been discussed before.... ;)

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=14453

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=10616

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=10610

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=2917

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=3856

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=2287

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=1947

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=946

Thanks. I knew there was a thread somewhere but "Search" couldn't find it.

You can always select the pages and hit ctrl+f to find words like "smell"! :thumbsup:

The key search tem in this case was "odor"... ;)

Well, if there are so many people having the same problem, is BMW going to do anything about it??? :thumbsdown:

I have my E60 for only one month. I can smell the odor the second day I bought it. It goes away after a minute or two. After that, there is no smell at all.

I've had other cars do this from time to time. It's not a big deal. If it really bugs you, just shut off the AC about 5 minutes before you arrive at your destination. That will allow it time to drain and dry out the condensate sump.

Sounds like a practical suggestion. Thanks gwf, I'll try it.

Sounds like a practical suggestion. Thanks gwf, I'll try it.
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When I told them at my last service about the smell I was told it was because I keep it on auto (a/c) and that I shouldn't but they would look at it. When I came to pick it up I was told they got "MOST" of the mold out and that I should go out and buy some Lysol and spray it into all my a/c vents and to also not use the auto vent anymore.

Well I don't remember how long it took but I got the smell back so I went out and bought some Lysol and strayed it into all my front vents and that has actually worked. You smell the Lysol for a quick second (same time you got the odor of Mold) and then smell is gone.... Give it a try, just funny no other car I have ever owned (lot less $$$ too may I add) has ever had an oder problem before and I don't know why BMW just doesn't fix this issue, but hey it is ok now I guess huh... Now to find a good scent of Lycol, I got the org. smell and it smells like shaving cream a little :( but it's growning on me a little

I always use auto and never have an odor problem...