northernmonkey

got back to car, sunny bright winter day in UK today.

condensation covering the whole inside of the rear screen, small amount around rear quarter windows and also small amount on front windscreen.

obviously the condesation on rear screen is puzzling. this is the first time i have seen this inside the car.

only two possible causes come to mind,

1. noticed twice over last week when turning off the ignition, having driven with AC=Off, get occasional groaning noise from vents, not that alarmed by this really as my E46 made similar noises every now and then when also turning off the ignition if i had not been using AC. dealer said this was todo with ventilation system shutting downetc. do not tend to hear noise ever if the AC has been on/auto.

2. I always leave my damp gym gear in boot (inc towels) each day as i goto gym on a morning before work, take out when i get home. today the gym bag had tipped over in boot and was "open". could exposed damp gear in boot cause this kind of condensation in the cabin? i looked under rear parcel shelf (from inside boot) and there are noticeable channels/holes that lead to underside of rear shelf/screen area. given that the rear screen was "covered" in condensation was first reason i started to wonder about items in boot.

any other possibilities? i have checked the seals etc around windows, all look perfect and all the windows were definitely fully closed on return to car.

Mark-Yorkshire

northern monkey,
Don't worry. It will undoubtedly be the combination of the high pressure weather system over UK at moment/ wet gear in boot and sunshine on back of car leading to condensation - solution- take out the gym kit
Mark-Yorkshire

tmarshall57

Do you get water splashes on seats immediately on opening any door after heavy rain? This could contribute. The sides of the seat on my 525d get very wet immediately on opening either front or rear door - seems to be bad design on door seals. Anyone experienced/reported this and got any satisfaction?

DXXXi

Well, you are going to get moisture inside the car from various sources and if you don't drive with the A/C on (as I don't) then there is no real way that is is being removed. I have noticed that as the weather has gotten cooler, water spray on the outside of the rear window as I wash the car has caused quite a bit of condensation on the inside of the rear window.

BMW530

I've asked this before as I have that problem with the rain too. I think its a bad design. The water gets built up in the rubber seals.

John W

My vote:

The angle of the rear window is flatter than the front windshield and the side windows, so it's the most susceptible to condensation. Since you're driving with A/C = Off, there's enough residual mositure in the cabin that, without fan flow, it's condensing.

JDN

Try the rear window defroster for a while.

browellm

I've asked this before as I have that problem with the rain too. I think its a bad design. The water gets built up in the rubber seals.
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Agreed, they should have spotted this one. Poor design.

northernmonkey

well after making sure i zip up my gym bag when carrying it happy to report condensation has not come back again

alohalc

so when are you going to let your mother-in-law get out your gym bag ? j/k .