Water in my e36 M3 Evo saloon passenger rear footwell

[thegreengoblet]

As the title says.

I was use to this with my TVR, didn't think Beemers would suffer with the same problem.

Anyway.
I decided to hoover under the rear mats - first time in 2 years as the rear doesn't get used often. Absolutely soaked. The foam insulation is really thick and can hold a huge amount of water. I park her forwards on my drive which has a slight incline. No sign of water in the front, so I don't believe it's coming from the bulkhead or windscreen (TVR favorite). I've checked the door seals, and all looks good. I do have a sunroof which gets used a lot. Not sure on a route through here though? And it all looks ok.
The only thing I've noticed is that the water was a little soapy - she was hand washed a couple of weeks ago. Not sure how the water could get in. Or it could simply be a red herring - the water mixing with carpet shampoo that I used when I first bough her.

Anyone else suffered with the same problem or can offer some advice as to what to look for?

Cheers

[MarkwG]

I've not suffered that on my e36, but have elsewhere: it might be the membranes behind the door card, if they're ripped or loose water can get passed & into the cabin. I think there are a couple of bungs in the floor pan, they might be perished or missing. The sunroof drains would also be worth a look, but I think they go out down the A post, rather than the rear.

Edited by MarkwG on Thursday 29th April 10:00

[TheEnd]

MarkwG said:

The sunroof drains would also be worth a look, but I think they go out down the A post, rather than the rear.

i think there is also a sunroof drain that goes down the c-pillar from the rear corner, i've had one of them fill the rear footwell with water, but that was on an e34

[thegreengoblet]

Thanks for the replies.
Yes there's a heating vent under the seat. I guess it could be that.
I cannot see anyway for water to get in through the door without being obvious.
There is a small channel in the floorpan, although it doesn't seem to connect to anything?? The floorpan is partially covered by a plastic covering peppered with holes. I can see cabling underneath. But I cannot see any grommets. I cannot get enough play in the carpet to see properly - only enough to get my arm underneath and a cloth to mop the water up. I may have to remove the passenger seat so that I can get the carpet up. Oh joy

[phelix]

There's a plastic membrane under the door card that should be intact and firmly glued to the inner door sheet metal. It acts as sort of a shower curtain as water will get past the seal that runs along the lower edge of window. Look for water stains at the bottom edge of the door card.

[thegreengoblet]

Thanks to the rain, I can see water droplets on the underside of the door interior. Thanks markwg and phelix
Before jumping in with my screwdriver(!) how do I get the door card off?

[MarkwG]

Very carefully! From memory, the locking push button unscrews, the door handle surround gently unclips sideways, (they are a bit fragile), then you've got poppers around the edge of the door card which need easing out, Draper do a tool like a thick tuning fork, but a carefully applied screwdriver should do it, then it should lift out, (provided there's nothing I've missed...) - the window rubber may need gentle persuasion to unclip.

[thegreengoblet]

Cheers for the info everyone.

Just need the rain to stop

[2 Wycked]

Same issue here with an E30. It was sunroof related.