Hot Rubber Smell

Falmouthboy · 01-06-2011, 05:00 AM

It may be nothing, but yesterday evening, after driving about 20 miles (at a normal pace) I noticed a hot rubber sort of smell eminating from the rear near side wheel arch. There is no evidence of the brake binding or heat on the wheel itself, but the tyre felt quite hot to the touch on the inside of the tread. The car has done 13000 miles so I can't imagine it is burn off from the exhaust and the tyre pressures are ok. Any thoughts before I take it in to a dealer to find its nothing and that I am being paranoid?

It's a 330d SE Touring by the way.

toxicnerve · 01-06-2011, 06:51 AM

Is something rubbing?

creepy coupe · 01-06-2011, 07:05 AM

I've noticed the same on a few BM's I've driven over the years, never really got to the bottom of it. No one tyres we hotter than the others, thought it might be an exhaust rubber hanger, but just a hunch.

themetz · 01-06-2011, 07:30 AM

Have you checked to see if Will is in your boot?

kaishang · 01-06-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

Have you checked to see if Will is in your boot?

In a rubber gimp suit presumably.

Falmouthboy · 01-06-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Is something rubbing?

Not that I can make out.

Exhaust hanger could make sense.

DavS1 · 01-06-2011, 11:40 AM

Possibly an explanation for the E90's premature inner rear tyre wear?

JonnySi · 01-06-2011, 12:09 PM

Most petrol BMW's do this. Its the exhaust backbox very hot next to the tyre, more noticeable on wider tyre models. Nothing to worry about.

nik_nak · 01-06-2011, 03:01 PM

Mine does this, I checked both rears and no signs of anything to worry about.

m1bjr · 01-06-2011, 05:33 PM

Its a RWD car with a fair bit of toe in.
The tyre is being scrubbed, and they smell.
If one side is worse, it would be prudent to check the rear toe values (alignment).
At 13k you would think it would be fine, but I've seen new cars out of tolernace.

Falmouthboy · 01-07-2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnySi

Most petrol BMW's do this. Its the exhaust backbox very hot next to the tyre, more noticeable on wider tyre models. Nothing to worry about.

Mine is a diesel, but I guess a big 3L still chucks out some heat. There is no evidence of excessive wear on one side of the tyre so I think I will leave it and not worry for the moment.

Falmouthboy · 02-01-2011, 04:17 AM

This smell is still recurring on occasion. I have decided it's nothing to worry about as it tends to occur on shorter trips of 10 miles or so, never on long runs. Could it be the DPF doing a Regen? Is there any way of telling if it is?

01-06-2011, 05:00 AM	#1
Falmouthboy Squadron Leader (Ret'd) 25 Rep 627 Posts Drives: E91 330d SE & Mini Coupe JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cornwall iTrader: (0)	Hot Rubber Smell It may be nothing, but yesterday evening, after driving about 20 miles (at a normal pace) I noticed a hot rubber sort of smell eminating from the rear near side wheel arch. There is no evidence of the brake binding or heat on the wheel itself, but the tyre felt quite hot to the touch on the inside of the tread. The car has done 13000 miles so I can't imagine it is burn off from the exhaust and the tyre pressures are ok. Any thoughts before I take it in to a dealer to find its nothing and that I am being paranoid? It's a 330d SE Touring by the way. Last edited by Falmouthboy; 01-06-2011 at 05:40 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-06-2011, 06:51 AM	#2
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Is something rubbing?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2011, 07:05 AM	#3
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	I've noticed the same on a few BM's I've driven over the years, never really got to the bottom of it. No one tyres we hotter than the others, thought it might be an exhaust rubber hanger, but just a hunch.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2011, 07:30 AM	#4
themetz smokin' kipper 39 Rep 1,467 Posts Drives: Audi RS5 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Have you checked to see if Will is in your boot? __________________ Current Audi RS5. Previously enjoyed E92 335i M Sport; E92 M3; E92 335i M Sport; E46 330ci M Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2011, 11:40 AM	#7
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Possibly an explanation for the E90's premature inner rear tyre wear? __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2011, 12:09 PM	#8
JonnySi BMW Technician 6 Rep 197 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Most petrol BMW's do this. Its the exhaust backbox very hot next to the tyre, more noticeable on wider tyre models. Nothing to worry about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2011, 03:01 PM	#9
nik_nak Private First Class 15 Rep 183 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	Mine does this, I checked both rears and no signs of anything to worry about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2011, 05:33 PM	#10
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	Its a RWD car with a fair bit of toe in. The tyre is being scrubbed, and they smell. If one side is worse, it would be prudent to check the rear toe values (alignment). At 13k you would think it would be fine, but I've seen new cars out of tolernace. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2011, 04:17 AM	#12
Falmouthboy Squadron Leader (Ret'd) 25 Rep 627 Posts Drives: E91 330d SE & Mini Coupe JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cornwall iTrader: (0)	This smell is still recurring on occasion. I have decided it's nothing to worry about as it tends to occur on shorter trips of 10 miles or so, never on long runs. Could it be the DPF doing a Regen? Is there any way of telling if it is?
	Appreciate 0 Quote