[KBD]

I bought a 2024 CPO X5. Not sure where the smell is coming from in my cabin. It's not an unpleasant smell, just not my cup of tea. It smells like maybe the previous owner sprayed cologne or some strong fragrance into the seats/carpet/etc.

As far as I know, the US models do not come with the cabin air package, so that's one item I've ruled out.

How would one go about getting rid of a persistent smell, and getting back to OEM? As in, no smell at all, other than upholstery? I would be happy to learn a process to eventually "replace" this smell. But after 4 weeks it seems to be as strong as ever.

[mcsquared]

Probably will need a serious interior detail.

Here’s a link to one of many vid’s that will show you how, if you are a DIY’er.

[biz77]

If you want your car to smell like a urinal cake and have a nice film covering the entire interior of the car, use a Dakota Odor Bomb. I'd try to rent a small ozone generator and leave it in the car for a day.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Vinegar

[Jaizero]

Ozone generator.

Run it for 30 minutes with all the doors and windows closed and HVAC on max and recirculate.

Once it's finished, let the car air out for a few hours. Ozone is nasty to breathe and can cause irritation.

[RMNB]

Originally Posted by Jaizero

Ozone generator.

Run it for 30 minutes with all the doors and windows closed and HVAC on max and recirculate.

Once it's finished, let the car air out for a few hours. Ozone is nasty to breathe and can cause irritation.

The above is a start. My situation was prior owners cigar smoke which was awful! I did everything possible: Cleaned every square inch of the inside literally! I shampooed the carpets, steamed the headliner and shampooed with a deodorizer again, changed the cabin filter, ran the ozone generator several times, sprinkled arm-n-hammer carpet (powder) and revacuumed. I spent a few weekends on this for hours and after all that I believe it's 95% better. Air freshners of course just mask the smell.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by KBD

I bought a 2024 CPO X5. Not sure where the smell is coming from in my cabin. It's not an unpleasant smell, just not my cup of tea. It smells like maybe the previous owner sprayed cologne or some strong fragrance into the seats/carpet/etc.

10:1 what you are smelling is the residual "hide it" fragrance of whatever it was that the dealer used to hide the underlying offending smell. Likely that of cigarette / cigar smoke.

Originally Posted by KBD

How would one go about getting rid of a persistent smell, and getting back to OEM? As in, no smell at all, other than upholstery?

Regardless of how the current bouquet of smells got in, the way to get them out is to thoroughly clean all interior surfaces, especially the carpets.

If you've never done deep interior cleaning before, prepare to be grossed out, or pay someone else to do it for you.

Here is an example:

[KBD]

Thank you for all the responses. I've never used an ozone generator before. I'm going to order one and see how it goes. If it works well, I am excited to use it for my Tundra, which sees much more activity than the X5.

I left all the windows down while parked in my garage, and it seems to have alleviated some of the smell. Definitely trying the ozone generator next.

[M3Sleeper]

Originally Posted by KBD

Thank you for all the responses. I've never used an ozone generator before. I'm going to order one and see how it goes. If it works well, I am excited to use it for my Tundra, which sees much more activity than the X5.

I left all the windows down while parked in my garage, and it seems to have alleviated some of the smell. Definitely trying the ozone generator next.

Do a full interior detail.

It's smoke + cologne possibly. I can't stand the smell of 75% of cologne people wear. Possible Vape car also it sticks to the windows, headliner, carpet, seats.

Leather clean & Condition will help but get a good brand.