Major fire in 2004 X5 3.0i Sport

[Tumphy]

My 2004 BMW X5 burst into flames on Sunday 22nd September 2013 in the Lake District in the UK. We were stopped at lights, set off and noticed a burning smell, followed by black smoke coming out of the passenger air vents. Pulled over straight away, with more smoke coming out. Got wife, two small kids and two 4mth old puppies out of the car. Took out keys to switch off engine, but more and more smoke was filling the car. Opened the bonnet (hood) and saw no smoke at all...all was inside. Headlights came on, water squirted at high pressure from headlight and windscreen washers, wiper blades went at full speed and car alarm went off. Heard popping from inside the car - probably the airbags going off. Rang the Fire Brigade and, as luck would have it a police car saw the smoke and stopped. He immediately closed the road. I grabbed my wallet from the car having just got off the phone with the fire brigade - I couldn't see or breath in car due to the amount of black smoke. Saw flames from inside car and ran. Looked back to see the entire car engulfed in fire. It even exploded at one stage with sparks flying everywhere - likely the gear box going in the heat. Definitely electrical in origin. Just glad my wife, kids and dogs got out in time. I can't imagine how much damage it would have done to us or others if on the motorway (freeway).

Took loads of pics and video. Police were there even before the flames started so could see the state before and after. Also had other witnesses who stopped as the smoke was bad before the fire started.

Has anyone got anywhere with BMW? My car is with the insurance team of investigators but am covered for fire, although will likely only get a fraction of what I paid 5months ago.

Happy to be contacted at [email protected].

Interested at what recourse there is against BMW?

Car is totalled. See the pics!

[TiAgX5]

Was the X totally OE/OEM without any aftermarket electrical items installed? Did BMW do ALL repair/maintainence work on it?

That's your ONLY chance of BMW accepting ANY responsibility for the car-be-cue.

Even something as seemingly minor as an incorrect (higher amp) fuse installed in the fuse panel can cause total meltdown.

Smoke starting from the vents leads me to believe FSR meltdown may be the cause.

[bcredliner]

Glad that everyone was alright!

Can't help regarding BMW liability or insurance coverage, assume both are different than U.S.

[Chandy70]

I bet your kids listening to the same Cd over & over & over again .. the X5 just was like no more and self destructed!

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Chandy70

I bet your kids listening to the same Cd over & over & over again .. the X5 just was like no more and self destructed!

Hahaha.........."i luv u, u luv me........." Barney caused the fire.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by Tumphy

My 2004 BMW X5 burst into flames on Sunday 22nd September 2013 in the Lake District in the UK. We were stopped at lights, set off and noticed a burning smell, followed by black smoke coming out of the passenger air vents. Pulled over straight away, with more smoke coming out. Got wife, two small kids and two 4mth old puppies out of the car. Took out keys to switch off engine, but more and more smoke was filling the car. Opened the bonnet (hood) and saw no smoke at all...all was inside. Headlights came on, water squirted at high pressure from headlight and windscreen washers, wiper blades went at full speed and car alarm went off. Heard popping from inside the car - probably the airbags going off. Rang the Fire Brigade and, as luck would have it a police car saw the smoke and stopped. He immediately closed the road. I grabbed my wallet from the car having just got off the phone with the fire brigade - I couldn't see or breath in car due to the amount of black smoke. Saw flames from inside car and ran. Looked back to see the entire car engulfed in fire. It even exploded at one stage with sparks flying everywhere - likely the gear box going in the heat. Definitely electrical in origin. Just glad my wife, kids and dogs got out in time. I can't imagine how much damage it would have done to us or others if on the motorway (freeway).

Took loads of pics and video. Police were there even before the flames started so could see the state before and after. Also had other witnesses who stopped as the smoke was bad before the fire started.

Has anyone got anywhere with BMW? My car is with the insurance team of investigators but am covered for fire, although will likely only get a fraction of what I paid 5months ago.

Happy to be contacted at [email protected].

Interested at what recourse there is against BMW?

Sorry to hear about your "nightmare".Important thing is you and your family are ok!
Its odd that the fire seemed to be from inside the car and not around the engine bay!
Unfortunately,in my 18 years working at Bmw dealer ,the only X5 or other Bmw ,with a fire issue,we had,was an X5 3.0i which had been converted to GPL.
I am sure you already let BMW GB know and they should be more than interested in your case.Hopefully ,the insurance investigators will find something

[Bulk]

Have you tried connecting a code reader to see if you can fix the issue?

In all seriousness though that is a very scary thing and I'm glad that you all got out okay. Things can be replaced, lives can't.

[TerminatorX5]

HOLY F*CK!!!!!

Dude, I am so glad that you were able to take your family to safety!!! that is the most important thing in this whole ordeal!!!

Now, since the family is safe and sound (albeit shaken!!!), it is interesting to see the reason behind the fire, to make sure that it does not repeat itself on the next ride:
1. if this was a user influenced cause, like an aftermarket item, or something, to make sure that item is never to be used again
2. if this was a repair issue, to make sure that mechanic is not to be trusted with his labour or his parts
3. if this was a design issue, the manufacturer sure would need to know - in the US the car fires are reported to NTSB, and compiled, and once a certain threshold is reached, manufacturer is forced to opine on the subject, and most manufacturers just try to avoid this whole hassle by doing preventative recalls of faulty, percieved to be faulty items...

I wonder if Tiag is onto something with the FSR meltdown... And i am sure, that little 1 kg Gloria fire extinguisher would not have helped you on this fire (does UK have a first aid kit/fire extinguisher requirement?)...

on the afterthought/nervous chuckle... are you sure the car wasn't rigged by the MI5, and you did not pressed a wrong button? you know that there is a factory James Bond edition - S907A... On Her Majesty Secret Service!!!...

[TerminatorX5]

Also, you mentioned that the wiper blades, the high pressure headlight nozzles and the windshield washers came on - other than electrical agony, why would car have the water supply activated? in an effort to supress the fire??? i don't think this is included into the safety design of the cars, and almost feels as if the car was trying to save itself from fiery death... scary!!!

[blktoptrvl]

Glad the family is OK.

First time I've heard of an X5 going up in flames. I wonder if you can get hold or dealer repair records to see if it was ever serviced under the dash. Maybe the Antifreeze was sparked?