Rubber Mats = Rubber Smell?

I'm curious to know if other people experience this problem. I have the all-weather rubber mats in my X3 and they are great for the Colorado snow but my car ALWAYS smells like rubber! I hate that! My otherhalf's last two cars have been Subarus also with all-weather rubber mats and there was never a hint of rubber with the exception of when they were new. I have to literally overpower my car with air-freshners in order to mask the rubber smell but as soon as the air freshner fades away it's back to rubber. Anyone else experience this? I know there are cheap aftermarket options available but I like the proper fit of the BMW matts.

Originally Posted by Rob V

I'm curious to know if other people experience this problem. I have the all-weather rubber mats in my X3 and they are great for the Colorado snow but my car ALWAYS smells like rubber! I hate that! My otherhalf's last two cars have been Subarus also with all-weather rubber mats and there was never a hint of rubber with the exception of when they were new. I have to literally overpower my car with air-freshners in order to mask the rubber smell but as soon as the air freshner fades away it's back to rubber. Anyone else experience this? I know there are cheap aftermarket options available but I like the proper fit of the BMW matts.

I purchased weathertech floorliner mats before last winter. They are the best mats for winter yet because the liner goes all the way around the interior. Only complaint is the middle hump not covered. I cut-out a piece of rubber to fit.

No rubber smell at all.

I've found that if I place a new set of BMW winter mats out in the sun for a few hours, the rubber smell seems to burn off. After I put them in the car, no smell.

I agree with Coffeman put them in the sun for a while so that the oils in the rubber can dissipate

well, I've had these mats for 3 years now. I'm sure I've gone through enough hot days to have that process taken care of already. But I'll give that a shot when I transfer them to my new X3 coming soon.

No unusual smell here. Maybe yours were defective?

I don't know if they are defective but they certainly are smelly and always have been. The thing is, the LR Freelander I had before the X3 had the same thing with those rubber mats. I don't know what it is.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

No unusual smell here. Maybe yours were defective?

No smell here. Maybe you just have a sensitive nose!!

I guess I'm just a freak. ...

+1 No smell in mine. have them for 6 months now and 0 smell... It still smells like a new car...

So out of curiosity I decided to bend down and take a good whif of the mats and it turns out it's not the mats I'm smelling. Well then what the hell is it??? Maybe it's ME that stinks. Great...

Originally Posted by Rob V

So out of curiosity I decided to bend down and take a good whif of the mats and it turns out it's not the mats I'm smelling. Well then what the hell is it??? Maybe it's ME that stinks. Great...

But that would mean you only stink in the X3 and not other vehicles.

I've had the BMW rubber mats since I bought it (2004) (front only). Never noticed a rubber smell.

Did you sniff the back mats ones as well? Maybe limited to those. As well, there is a small rubber mat in the base of the storage cubby on top of the dash (unless you have NAV). Another rubber mat inside of the top small console/armrest storage area. Then the rubberized surface on the floor of the rear storage area.

Give all of those the sniff test. Finally - give a sniff under the hood... maybe something there is being drawn into your ventilation system.

I have noticed that the BMW vehicles we have owned all had a "mechanical" odor to them. Not sure how to describe it other than grease/electrical/rubberish smell all combined. Almost as if it was in a service bay for a week with the windows open (but not that bad). I just write it off to the materials they use for the plastics and the lubricants for all mechanical parts. I haven't noticed it since the X3 was CPO'd in January, so whatever deodorizer they use gets rid of, or covers up the odor extremely well. So maybe ask the dealer what they use and see if you can buy some.

Mystic, I think you may have just nailed it. That's probably the best description for what I smell. I always thought it was the mats but I guess it's just a BMW thing. Well it's good to know I'm not the only one. I'm also glad it wasn't the mats all along because I was considering getting new mats but now I'll just keep them and transfer them to the 08' when it arrives. Although...by now they've probably absorbed some of that smell so I bet it'll transfer some of that too. Nice...

When weather cooperates, try vacuuming and detailing the interior. Get rid of all the dust, vacuum in between the seats and centre console, to the right of the gas pedal, and lastly, detail the leather. Take it for a drive with all the windows down and moonroof open. That should get rid of any odors.