[Neon21db]

Originally Posted by dmontic71

I found the threads on new car smell & plastics, but I couldn't find one addressing the difference in e90 vs. older generation bimmers...

It's there somewhere. The thread talked about it indirectly just like Titania explained; the older models used "stuff" that caused the smell that is no longer used in today's models due to health reasons.

[ShinBalNom]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

my car came with leatherette........no new car smell for me.......

LOL
Try adding some cigarette smoke to it... its awesome.

[picus]

Originally Posted by Titania

That lovely car smell is the smell of cancer. It's due to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)...the volatile portions of plastics/ plasticizers/ glues leaching out of the plastics in the car. There has been a real crackdown on use of VOCs around the globe due to their ability to cause cancer.

Believe it or not this is totally true, so to Titania. European cars were some of the worst offenders when it came to VOCs in the cabin - luckily European law has really pushed for more "consumer friendly" materials in the cabin, but that makes for less "new car smell".

If you want a really nice "new car leather smell" regardless of whether or not you have leather, grab some Zaino Z9/Z10 and use it on your seats every ~2-4 months; I use it on all the cars I clean and it smells great.

[Fester]

Originally Posted by txusa03

hey, if you want that distinct bmw smell, go to wal-mart and buy some crayons. Throw the crayons in your car and you have a long lasting smell you been craving for.

[Volume]

I get an odd smell from my vents when my sunroof is cracked and the A/C is off as well. I wouldn't call it "crayons", but it's definately a new car-like smell. I always thought it a wierd smell, but I'm glad that my car isn't totally unique. Maybe it's the glue they used for certain batches of cars...?

[rrandyy]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

I've never noticed it in a BMW, but a friend's Jetta smells like crayons really strongly. We even pulled the doors apart and the back seat out looking for 'em lost somewhere. Maybe German vinyl/leatherette smells like crayons after a while?

My friend's jetta *completey* smells like crayons also-- though he has cloth seats. He's had it for about 4 years and it still smells like that. He claims hes not sure why...

[Vinobien]

you farted

[MacAttack]

I can't believe I read this entire thread. Time for a beer.