My one year old 320D (F30) caught fire and sustained total damage

[OTEH MASKON]

Dear friends,
I would like to share this with everyone, I hope you can give some input. I am completely distraught, and still having nightmares!

I purchased a late 2012 pre-registered BMW 320D in May 2013 from Auto Bavaria Ampang. Since then we have driven over 26,000km without any problem. We have indeed enjoyed a fantastic one year ownership, serviced the car according to intervals (2 services done) and received satisfactory aftersale support from the dealer.

Last Sunday (8 June), at 11.10pm, the car, which was parked in front of the house and not driven for the last 23 hours, suddenly caught fire and burnt to a complete destruction. We are still in shock and disbelief. There was absolutely no signs of trouble at all. I was the last one to drive the car and parked it at the spot. Around one hour prior to the blaze, my son got into the car to retrieve a ball, and did not notice anything unusual. Out of the blue, at 11.10pm, we were alerted by the neighbours who smelt the smoke. From then on, it took less than 10 minutes before the car was completely engulfed in flame, as the firebrigade arrived (around 11.30pm) to tame the fire off.

I am sure this is a very unusual incident that no one has experienced. All I want to know, how is it possible that the fire started within the car, when the car has been idle for more than 20 hours?? Is it possible??? Initial verbal report from the forensic did not suspect any foul play.

 

[slyder]

Hi

Sorry to hear your misfortune.
From the technical aspect, few things to consider
1) diesel is not easy to catch fire. It's flash point is 52 Celsius meaning it will only turn vapor above that degree

2) wiring and battery can short if modification done

Meaning have the been any modifications done to the wiring? Sometimes human error can cause short

These are the few points I can think of.

But best is if you can get the forensic report. They should be able to determine the start of the fire.

Most important life was not affected. Anything insurance will cover for it.



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[Thils74]

Sorry to hear about your incident. Slyder has raised valid points.

Dont see any other reason why the car would catch fire on its own. Perhaps some other electronical devices plugged into the car?

Cheer up bro. Important thing is family is safe and your house not affected. Car can be replaced with insurance claim. Take care.


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[sh_Callum]

So sorry to hear that. In most cases, this occurs when a car was modified, the live cable was shorted to the metal which resulted it sparks a fire. Since this is pre-registered car and ensue you have not done any modifications, and it shall be covered by insurance.

 

[unstopables_7]

this is shocking !

 

[OTEH MASKON]

No modification or wiring done. No recent services in the last month. Car was driving perfect, never a problem.
The car was preregistered means previously registered by Sime/BMW for showroom display ie when purchased was still 0 mileage. Therefore no amount of modifications.
Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

[tigger]

So sorry to hear about the fire to your car. Did you get BMW or AB to do a forensics on the cause of the fire? Must have been one shocking and scary experience.

Cheers.

 

[sh_Callum]

Then u have a good case to claim back after they conducted the forensic investigation. However, this is really a mental torture.

 

[LiteBulb]

Foul play? Any chance someone started the fire?

 

[haywire]

Usually after a few minutes of locking the car up, the car will go into a 'sleep mode'

Perhaps when your son went to pick up the ball, he had 'waken up' the car the the electrical connections were turned on. Anyway, the electrical current should not be giving any major effect at this time because full electrical connections will only be turned on when you start the car. On old models this is turned on when you turn the key to position 1 or 2, position 3 will start the engine. Not too sure how it works on a keyless start such as on the F30.

In any case, it still shoudn't start a fire!

 

[beemerback]

This was a rare occurence and is shuddered in mystery. Did BMW Msia contacted you to investigate your case further?

 

[sixpotters]

I was told by the service advisor that, those cigarette USB charger cables can cause fire too.

 

[splee]

I was told by the service advisor that, those cigarette USB charger cables can cause fire too.

Yes please don't buy those cheap mobile phone chargers from pasar malam as these chargers have not been properly designed or tested and may easily catch fire.

 

[gendong]

Can the TS share the findings of the forensic report?

 

[JoeKenzoM]

Any update bro?

 

[ongss]

Sorry about the loss.

I used to place a Sharp Plasmacluster air purifier for car inside my F30. This device is powered by a car cigarette lighter adapter. However, I noticed this Air Purifier continued to operate despite I stopped the engine and locked the car. This is unusual because my other cars do not power the air purifier once the engines are off. I was concerned I might forget to turn off and cause fire. So, I removed the air purifier and no longer use it for my F30.

 

[haywire]

BMW cigarette lighters does not turn off when the car is off. Thats normal

 

[splee]

BMW cigarette lighters does not turn off when the car is off. Thats normal

I believe it will turn itself off 30 mins after you have locked your car. This is the built in safety from BMW.

 

[azeL_Inc]

My E46 cigarette lighter never turn off. Not even after 30mins.

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[KengKok]

Hi Oteh. Sorry of your loss main nobody hurt. Curious if AB finished investigation for cause n hope u hv 100% settled insurance.