X3 - Water in passenger side

Just went through the dealership having my X3 for four days, after discovering water (again) in the passenger side of the cabin. In June, when I discovered water in the passenger side, they said it was a crimp in the drain line, and replaced it. This time, they had the car on the "water simulator" almost all day and could not replicate the problem. Service rep said he thought it was the seal for the sunroof, as there was a slight gap. Seal replaced, sunroof aligned. Told him the proof would be over the weekend, as we were expecting severe storms. And just as I was afraid of, after a deluge of about half an inch of rain in 30 minutes, I went out to check the car, found the water in the rubber floormats, and the underlying carpet soaked. (I would have sat in the car during the deluge to determine the origin of the water, but as there was a tornado warning in effect for my area, decided that wouldn't be prudent.) Back to the dealership... need to determine the cause... drain holes clean, supposedly drain line straight with no crimps... can't keep paying $500+ for them to "dry" my car. Suggestions?

My similar problem was a broken rear window windshield washer fluid line under the rear passenger side floor mat. Ask that it be checked first.

Originally Posted by btwillis

My similar problem was a broken rear window windshield washer fluid line under the rear passenger side floor mat. Ask that it be checked first.

+1. He beat me to the comment. The question would be did you use your rear washer fluid when it was storming?

What about a bad vapor barrier on the door? If they haven't checked that, they should.

It is the glue that holds the vapor barrier to the door. I had this same problem on my X3. I fixed it myself, the adhesive wasn't holding the vapor barrier to the door. I removed the vapor barrier, heated the bead of glue and reapplied the barrier.

There are three things that constitute water entry with the X3:

1. blocked drain from pano roof
2. torn vapor barrier in door
3. windshield wiper hose to rear wiper.

please use search when running into problems in the future. This has been listed hundreds of times. The vapor barrier costs all of about $17 USD. The labor is what kills you.

These are all incredibly helpful suggestions - thank you so much. I mentioned the vapor barrier this morning when I spoke with the service rep... didn't think to mention the rear wiper issue... hopefully they can resolve this.

Could also be the rubber door seals. That ended up being the culprit in our 04 X3 for water getting into the rear drivers side footwell. We had the drains cleaned, vapor barriers changed, ww repair, all to no avail and finally figured it was the door seals that were not sealing properly after running it through the car wash and watching/showing the dealer exactly where the water entered. Good luck, it's very frustrating, and the first car I've ever had with water issues. I wouldn't think this would be the case for your 08 X3, but just another thought.

Mine had the vapor barrier issue. Repaired, now dry.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

There are three things that constitute water entry with the X3:

1. blocked drain from pano roof
2. torn vapor barrier in door
3. windshield wiper hose to rear wiper.

Don't forget the possibility of blocked drains in the cabin filter receptacle! Open the hood, and check back by the firewall, just below the windshield wipers, where the cabin filter is located. There are drains there that can get blocked with debris (leaves, dirt, etc.), just like with the panorama roof, causing water to pool in the filter receptacle, then finally drain into the cabin.

for experienced user: what are the potential problems of flooding on an X3? Considering to buy a used one from my dealer.

Hi All

Thanks for the tips on the water issues on X3's. Has any body had all 4 foot wells soaking wet like i have come home to today?. Were are the vapors barriers and are the easy to fit ? I have cleaned the cabin filter area and yes it was blocked with leaves and ****e. My X3 hasn't got a sun roof or panoramic roof so to have all 4 foot wells soaking is this going to cost me a fortune to get sorted ??

Cheers