How smelly are X5's?

[NehalX5]

We've had our X5 for a month and I've noticed that the car is really smelly. Can smell diesel (I think) when inside the car upon start up. It goes away as the car warms up however. Also, the exhaust has a much more pungent smell than our XC90.

Are these cars really that smelly or is it just me and I have to get used to it

[TomX5]

I can't say that I have ever noticed any diesel smells at all in or out of the cabin. I've never even noticed the exhaust to be honest.

I'd say that rather than get used to it I'd find out the source of the diesel smell...

[gmc15]

No diesel smell inside mine at all amd haven't noticed any smell from the exhausts at all. I would get the diesel smell inside the cabin checked out - should be no smell at all

[X5Sport]

Definitely not normal.

Look for drain plugs missing in the boot/engine area or anywhere underneath.

Worth looking at all the seals around the doors and a/c intakes under the bonnet for correct fitting/holes.  It could be a stuck airflow vent in the rear too.  Usually somewhere in the rear wings I think?

[Horizon]

Cracked exhaust manifold? A few posts on the search button, they are made from old tin cans welded together

[Riggie]

Exhaust smell on startup is usually a cracked exhaust manifold. It disappears when you drive off due to airflow. OE as stated already are made of alloy which cracks after time. Cast iron ones are generally available second hand.

[Tin]

What year car is it?
No smells on mine!

[Nine468]

Just a thought.
Has the previous owner had the DPF either removed or the guts taken out, as this could increase the smelliness...
A mate of mine did this on his Audi A4 and it did increase the smell...

[X5Sport]

If it has been removed and gets picked up at MOT time, it's an automatic fail.

[NehalX5]

We had it taken in because washer fluid was leaking. They gave it a complete look over (Williams BMW) and they said it was ok. Turned out the washer fluid has an overflow pipe, which is why we saw some on the floor. Everything else was fine, they updated the iDrive which solved the security issue too. They took note of the engine electronics being modified, so I'm guessing either a remap or a DPF removal...

More to come.