Yes, the dreaded 'moisture' on the inner sill plate. Water dripping down from between the door card and door. Seems every BMW I own, I have this issue sometime in its time with me. To be honest I think it is not helped by hot summer days, has started since our heat wave last week.. I always park with the car having mid day and afternoon heat on the driver's side of the car, so not surprising if there is any stress on the barrier, it eases off when soft. I did suspect it was due to the work carried out last year on the door handle, (the comfort access problem), but they would have replaced the handle from the outside and there was no evidence anyone had been inside the door. Was the driver's side rear door. A bit of research on how to get the pull handle surround off the F11, without damaging the parts, with a few spare minutes, took it apart this afternoon. What surprised me, the lower edges (where I expected the problem, like in the E91) were still intact. The area where it had come adrift was at the top back corner, close to the rear window runner. Water soon finds a track if there is any chance to do so. All sorted, without damage, hopefully will prove a 100% fix. Peter
Pleased it's sorted, but have to say it's the first time I've heard of this problem! However, I'll keep an eye out for water seeping between door/card, don't want any problems with my car, thinking of changing it soon, maybe!
I've had this problem many times on various 5 series, the E39 was the worst but the E61 came a close second. No such problems on the GT yet. It's a pain, but being involved in forums like this makes it an easy diagnosis.
Rain after overnight sealant cure, shows I've still got a problem. Will have to spray some water around and get a better trace on what is going on. My E39 got flooded in the rear footwell, before I was aware it was leaking. Was the front door membrane/barrier that had the problem. E91, caught quickly at the first damp patch in the driver's footwell. Got some pictures on file of the E39/E91 issues, will see if I can find them. Peter
Is the water actually getting into the car or just between the 2 seals in the sill area and draining out of the car when opened? is there water inside the door card? its unlikely for it to leak from the top and usually they are quite well sealed unless they have been disturbed.
Water was getting between the two door rubbers. The problem even between the rubbers, it can then track over the inner rubber, as it did in both the E39 and E91. Been into the door again this afternoon and it was leaking at the bottom of the vapour barrier, as I'd originally suspected. It looked intact yesterday, and as I found the top corner adrift, thought it was tracking from the vertical window channel. Was definitely coming out from under the door card, although dry when opened up. In hindsight should have given it the water test yesterday, don't assume anything. I had to give the door a good hosing to see the leak clearly. Even when pulling the barrier off it didn't look as if it was a poor seal. Only when visually inspected could see the sealant was defective (lost its stickiness) for about a 10 - 15mm section. Water clearly sits behind the barrier in the lower position, as the drain into the door is a little higher up. Intend to let it cure overnight and then water test again, before putting it all back together. BTW, both the E91 and the F11 had not had the barriers off before leaking, both a factory finish. Peter
F11 looked something like the E39, (shown below). The water tracked over the inner rubber, and under the trim, into the footwell. Took a bit of drying out. E91 driver's door. Bottom edge of the vapour barrier/membrane was stressed a bit, due to the shape of the door panel. Peter
Used TEC7 by Novatech. Had it on hand, is supposed to be top of the pack for things like pond liners, even applied in the wet.
Here's hoping you get it sealed, once and for all! If it's any consolation I created my very own water feature and LEAK, weekend past. Finished off the wife's car, swapping cars I pulled my car on the drive, threw the partially full bucket over the roof in perfect direction to track through the open sunroof, mid way I thought OH OH but momentum took its course, saturated ................ Fortunately I didn't have to look or spend time hunting for the gap or cause as it was blantently obvious and very much an oversight! I think my action was made with a loud profanity which drew the attention of the neighbour, who laughed, though I failed to see the funny part ?
Looking good, gave it a decent water test, nothing on the door or sill. If it helps other users in the future, here's the area where the leak occurred. Peter
Cheeky! I've have you know I drive a classy barge. Sophisto grey with "Cinnamon" interior. PS: That's cameras for you. Pink leather.... Peter
I hope that you have got it sorted, I was lucky not to have any water ingress on my E60 i know a few who have but i was very lucky Last time i had this issue was on a 95 plate mondeo and the rear off side passenger door used to fill the rear footwell with water and i had the door card off three times before fully sealing it
