2013 X5 35i Premium - Strong Gasoline Odor

[nd_irish]

I posted an issue similar to the one reported by JDFSU on the E53 forum this past October on Bimmerfest last month and wanted to find out if anyone else here has experienced this issue or if JDFSU was finally able to get this issue resolved which was reported on the E53 forum.

We recently purchased our first BMW, a 2013 X5 35i Premium. We took delivery of the car at the end of April. After having the car for almost three weeks, we noticed a strong gasoline odor once we parked in the garage. This occurred after having the car parked outside for about an hour and then driving a little over 10 miles to our home. Also, during the drive my wife switched from standard drive to sport mode (DS) then back to standard drive before we got home; we have been told that this should not have anything to do with this issue. It was a pretty hot day in southern Nevada with temperatures at or near 100 degrees. I called and spoke to a service advisor at the dealership where we got the car, and he indicated that this was normal when the temperatures were this high after I told him we did not top off our gas tank, which he indicated could be a possible cause. He said the odor had something to do with the fact the car had to relieve pressure from the fuel tank due to the high temperatures. We had a Lincoln Navigator before the X5, and we also have a Jaguar S-Type. I do not recall either vehicle having this issue.

Several people on Bimmerfest indicated this was not normal, and the next day I just spoke to the service director. He suggested we bring the car in to check for leaks and check the charcoal canister to make sure gas did not get into it. At this point, we have had the car at the dealership twice. They claim they have run every diagnostic test to check for leaks, and they also replaced the charcoal canister during the second trip to the dealership. They indicated the old charcoal canister weighed more than the new one which I understand means gas may have gotten into the filter which they acknowledged could have occurred when the car was prepped for delivery.

We are now scheduled to take the car back to the dealership for the third time tomorrow since we experienced the smell again in the late afternoon this past Friday when we had a high temperature well over 100 degrees, and the car was out for most of the day. The gas tank was between 3/4 full and full. Interestingly, we did not notice the smell after my wife filled up the tank the day before when temperatures were also over 100 degrees.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback regarding the issue above and if anyone else has experienced this issue in an area with 100 degree temperatures. Thank you!