XSeries-forum

So after Saturdays horrendously wet weather as expected my drivers carpet is sopping wet. Dry above the pedals and in front of the drivers seat and even at the sides next to the door. I initially thought it was because of a botched door membrane but wouldn't that make it wet right up to the sides?
Surely even the skid plate underneath  would deflect most of the water.
Any thoughts as to why the heel to toe area gets like this every time it rains?
Bad back is stopping me removing skid plate at the moment. Are the carpets easy enough to pull back and refit?

Trouble with these leaks is that they can literally come from anywhere and find their way down to the carpet.  Sunroof drains are notorious for blocking and leaking, plus the door seal and membrane and also, if the scuttle pollen filters have come loose (there is a plastic screw thingy to push the pollen filter cover into place which sometimes pops open) , the pollen filter can soak up water and drain inwards. 
Water can also run on wiring and end up in the most unexpected places, nowhere near the wet area.

When we actually have a dry day, perhaps test with a hose -get someone to move around the car with a hose spreaying water at the front, doors etc while you are sitting in the drivers seat so you can try to narrow it down.

Interesting. I was convinced is was coming from ground up. I know my cabin filter housing thingies are past their best. Takes a few attempts to get a tenuous hold. As usual I always fear the worst and half expect a fist sized hole under the carpet.

Not heard of anyone with such bad rust in the floor in one of these Xes........ :'(
Hope its one of the usual suspects instead!

I have had this exact same problem and wasted an immense amount of time trying to find it, in the end it was the sunroof drain had come off at the sunroof, to check you need to partially remove the door rubber/seal, take the grab handle off the roof, I also removed the sunvisor and carefully pull down the roof lining enough to see the drain pipe. Taking all these things off means you won't have to bend the roof lining to much and put an ungainly crease in it.  The water followed the line of the pipe down the A pillar into the footwell area. As a quick check remove the A pillar dressing and if there is any sign of dampness/water then it's the roof drain.

Also check the front scuttle panels are clear of debris so they can drain properly.

Door and sunroof are likely sources as mentioned.

Some of the carpeting is tucked under trim panels but it is not glued down anywhere.

plus one for the sunroof drain being blocked (assuming you have one of course!).
if you do there is a small rubber outlet under the car near the bottom of the A pillar.
give that a squeeze and see if any crud comes out.  there are four in all, probably wise to check them all.

mine did the same as yours and i had a stinky carpet for ever.  >:(

No sunroof. Pretty sure front scuttle is clear. Had all that out when air filter replaced. Probably need to get the door card removed. I'll order up some plastic pry bars. Sure I saw an informative door carrier video on You Tube where he repeats the phrase 'non marring pry bar' endlessly.

private mail me with a mobile number... I think I can help here... & its an easy fix.
I can send you a bunch of pics too, & when solved, maybe you can load the pix here with the explaination, as I get no joy loading pictures..
Regards
Grant B

So here we go again. Drivers footwell now bone dry and upon hoovering today found the rear carpet behind the drivers side to be sopping wet.
I never resolved the original issue even after the kind help from 'X5 Salisbury'.. it has been dry recently, even up here, so I kinda forgot about it. New Car Magic Tree in the sunshade tends to help me forget.
No drama, just odd how it's shifting. From what Grant, I believe his name is, is telling me, it would seem to be the door seals.
Any thoughts?
Btw, no sunroof or any other obvious signs of ingress.

This might sound mad,but has anybody spilt a drink maybe ?

I had the windscreen replaced and had wet carpet on the drivers side. The screen bonding had a small gap, it was enough to let in rain and even screen wash when the car was moving. It was the screen wash smell that gave it away. Water was tracking around the screen edge and dripping off the drivers knee cover trim under the steering wheel.
Screen refitted and no issue since, like you I spent ages looking at the usual suspects with no luck.