Slight burning smell and heat from front driver side wheel well

[Jamongkad]

Hello! My car is a M/T 2017 M3. So I'm experiencing a slight burning smell and heat from the driver side front wheel well. Take note I would have to place my face right next to the wheel well to smell this. Otherwise parking it in the garage you would be none the wiser.

At first I thought my brakes were stuck but after driving for for 10 - 15 miles and inspecting the temperature of the disks and wheels they feel slightly warm to the touch.

I don't have any CEL warnings either. Maybe I'm too sensitive and this is just normal M3 stuff. I'm thinking of taking the car back to the Dealer for inspection since it's still under warranty but would like to know if anybody here experienced the same phenomenon.

[Jamongkad]

Anybody? Or am I the only person running into this problem? Thanks!

[Sidebrowns]

IIRC there's a heat exchanger in front of the driver's side front wheel well, which would explain the heat and potentially the "burning" smell. Does it actually smell like something is burning?

[Jamongkad]

Originally Posted by Sidebrowns

IIRC there's a heat exchanger in front of the driver's side front wheel well, which would explain the heat and potentially the "burning" smell. Does it actually smell like something is burning?

Thanks for the reply! Hmmm it had a faint burning smell a few weeks ago. Now it smells like something died in there. To say the least it's not a pleasant smell but is not noticeable until you stick your head near the wheel well. I still have no CEL and the car runs fine. Since the car is under warranty I scheduled a Dealer appointment and see if we can get to the bottom of this

[anthony_12347]

Did you ever determine the cause?

I'm having a very similar problem happening with my 2020 M4. When I'm driving I don't notice it, but as soon as I stop the car (even at a light with the windows down) I can smell a burning/hot plastic type smell coming from the driver side engine bay and wheel well.

It's very noticeable parking it in the garage after a drive, and really strong when putting your head near the wheel well.

It hasn't gotten any better/worse but thinking I'll get it checked out at the dealer soon.

[ONEof500]

Originally Posted by anthony_12347

Did you ever determine the cause?

I'm having a very similar problem happening with my 2020 M4. When I'm driving I don't notice it, but as soon as I stop the car (even at a light with the windows down) I can smell a burning/hot plastic type smell coming from the driver side engine bay and wheel well.

It's very noticeable parking it in the garage after a drive, and really strong when putting your head near the wheel well.

It hasn't gotten any better/worse but thinking I'll get it checked out at the dealer soon.

Is there a follow up this? I noticed the same today. I wonder if it is just heat from the break vent...

[No.401_Speed]

Both of my BMWs have this smell. I've driven my E-92 for six years now with no problem. I get the same smell from my M4. I don't think anything is wrong, it's just a characteristic of BMW.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[kevinthestan]

Only time ive had this problem is if i were doing drifts/donuts that same day haha

[MDOC]

I've always wondered what the source of heat was coming from the driver's footwell. It takes a good 20-30 minutes of driving to feel it, but it's pretty uncomfortable in the Summertime. I never drive with the AC on so no relief there. Someone mentioned a heat exchanger located on the driver's side is this the culprit? I never see this problem mentioned on any of the forums. Anyone else?

[Atf22]

Sorry for reviving an old thread, haven’t been able to find much on this issue. I just purchased my f80 2 weeks ago and have been noticing this as well. Has anyone found anything out?

[ONEof500]

It's one of the coolers. This is also the reason that tire temperature is usually higher. There is a thread around here that shows an infrared picture of the car and you can see the heat bloom from the cooler.