How to restore New X5 Car Smell?
 

When I test drive new and pre-certified ('03) X5s at the dealership, there is this strong smell that I adore. Is it the leather? It almost seems like they spray a chemical in the precertified model to bring the new car smell back. What is it and where can I buy it? The smell in my car is almost gone. :confused:

I know what you mean I get new leather at the car wash, its almost identical

This might help. http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/01351777/

It might be interesting to note that the smell of new leather is commercially produced according to an article written by James R. Healey and published in USA Today titled,“Carmakers resort to eau de leather.” The article explains that for years the leather used in expensive cars was tanned, processed and colored in order to neutralize its natural smell. It was then injected with industrial aromas. Today a process used by leather suppliers called “re-tanning” puts fragrant oils back into leather.

“We have a specific aroma at Ford, which we’ve used about two years. Senior management came in and smelled swatches. It’s very subjective,” says Bonnie Cunningham, Ford Motor design Manager in charge of leather.

Nick Showish, sales and marketing boss at the leather supplier Seton said, “We have a whole library of different aromas.” Seton supplies all Chrysler’s leather, and some to General Motors, Porsche, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Isuzu. According to Healey, “Chrysler, like Ford, uses a single fragrance. But some makers use differing scents to give the impression that higher priced models have more leather, or richer leather.”

For my X5 i found that using a generous amount of http://www.lexol.com/ Seem to give that feel and aroma one desires.

Dont know how to get it back, but there is a sure way to keep it..Use OEM cleaning products(leather, windows, dash, etc..)

2 years on, and my X may be covered in mud :damn: but it smells exactly how it did on the showroom floor...They dont do any better job than "shelf" products, EXCEPT only for the smell...

The dealers do use something on CPOs to get the new car smell. I have also noticed that.

I noticed that too. We picked up our CPO a week ago and it definitely had that new car smell...

Belive it or not my 01 still has the new car smell, but my 03 330ci doesnt, both have leather but the coupe has sport seats and the X doesnt. Could BMW use different leather for sport and non sport seats?

I tried this product and it did restore new car smell.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=11150

My 03 CPO had the new car smell as well.

Have to admit, it is addictive.:thumbup: