[richb811]

Wow. I haven't seen anything like that! Glad you got out in one piece!

[MrPig]

Originally Posted by qtasad

Alexo, no mods at all + the fire did not start from or near the headlights in my case.

Then we can rule out your headlight fluid.

[cssnms]

Okay so this got me to thinking,,, let's say you have kids in the back seat, child safety locks on (can't open the doors from the inside) and you are driving along and lose power, as you pull over smoke is flowing from under the hood, and all of a suddon you lose all power because the battery got fried in the process. As a result the power door locks do not operate so you are unable to unlock the rear doors to let your kids out. I guess you could have them climb between the seats but what happens if its a new born strapped down in a car seat? If the fire spreads fast this could be a real problem. Scarey to think about..... BMW better figure this out quick.

[Ryballz]

Originally Posted by cssnms

Okay so this got me to thinking,,, let's say you have kids in the back seat, child safety locks on (can't open the doors from the inside) and you are driving along and lose power, as you pull over smoke is flowing from under the hood, and all of a suddon you lose all power because the battery got fried in the process. As a result the power door locks do not operate so you are unable to unlock the rear doors to let your kids out. I guess you could have them climb between the seats but what happens if its a new born strapped down in a car seat? If the fire spreads fast this could be a real problem. Scarey to think about..... BMW better figure this out quick.

A lack of electrical power isn't going to prevent me from getting my or anybody else's kids out the backseat of a car that's on fire.

Also, the battery is in the trunk, pretty far from this fire.

[Brennan]

really sorry to see this, i think i would have cried of it were my car. Hope you get sorted ok

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by Ryballz

Also, the battery is in the trunk, pretty far from this fire.

forgot about that, in this case that would be a good place for it.

[Lincoln30]

Originally Posted by cssnms

Okay so this got me to thinking,,, let's say you have kids in the back seat, child safety locks on (can't open the doors from the inside) and you are driving along and lose power, as you pull over smoke is flowing from under the hood, and all of a suddon you lose all power because the battery got fried in the process. As a result the power door locks do not operate so you are unable to unlock the rear doors to let your kids out. I guess you could have them climb between the seats but what happens if its a new born strapped down in a car seat? If the fire spreads fast this could be a real problem. Scarey to think about..... BMW better figure this out quick.

Do BMW's have child safety locks??? I thought the German car companies didn't do that???

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

Do BMW's have child safety locks??? I thought the German car companies didn't do that???

Mine does. I thought it was a US standard?

[project6]

I didn't think anybody still uses the child safety locks. I never used mine when my kids were younger.

[Lincoln30]

Originally Posted by cssnms

Mine does. I thought it was a US standard?

You're right. I just went and looked at mine and it has them. I never noticed them before. I've only owned 2 other BMW sedans (and many coupes) but don't remember seeing them on the 01 325i and 02 M5.

[f10bhx]

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

Do BMW's have child safety locks??? I thought the German car companies didn't do that???

European models do have child locks, by the looks of it US models have them too.

[Park2670]

Originally Posted by cssnms

Okay so this got me to thinking,,, let's say you have kids in the back seat, child safety locks on (can't open the doors from the inside) and you are driving along and lose power, as you pull over smoke is flowing from under the hood, and all of a suddon you lose all power because the battery got fried in the process. As a result the power door locks do not operate so you are unable to unlock the rear doors to let your kids out. I guess you could have them climb between the seats but what happens if its a new born strapped down in a car seat? If the fire spreads fast this could be a real problem. Scarey to think about..... BMW better figure this out quick.

Thats a great thought. I wonder how you do get them out. No power to unlock the doors, and you cant open them from the outside. Ill be listening since my first kid is two weeks away..

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by Park2670

Thats a great thought. I wonder how you do get them out. No power to unlock the doors, and you cant open them from the outside. Ill be listening since my first kid is two weeks away..

No worries. If it's your kid in the back with the car on fire, you'll find a way to get them out - with or without 12 volts.

[bootay]

Originally Posted by dmatre

No worries. If it's your kid in the back with the car on fire, you'll find a way to get them out - with or without 12 volts.

A nearby rock will solve the problem very quickly.
Unfortunately, I can attest to the fact that a ROARING engine fire that looks like it'd melt the car likely won't stop your electronics from working - stereo, car lights, locks, etc. working fine with battery in the back and ECU pretty well isolated in the engine bay, even after 50% of the engine is melted onto the pavement and fire engine hoses are done with their work.

[Park2670]

Good to know. Thanks guys.

I figured that smashing the window was the quickest way to get them out.

[PSEE]

It's a DIESEL already!!!

How fast does fire spread with diesel fuel?

diesel has to be atomized and/or placed under a great deal of pressure in order
to combust. it ain't like gasoline...

[williewonkerz]

Originally Posted by PSEE

It's a DIESEL already!!!

How fast does fire spread with diesel fuel?

diesel has to be atomized and/or placed under a great deal of pressure in order
to combust. it ain't like gasoline...

again, its highly (as in very,very) likely you had a power steering leak. That's exceedingly flammable and once you light up the plastics and electronics, you'll get a lot of fire.

[Crulexis]

This really sucks... but glad your ok

[bmwforme]

any updates?

[project6]

Originally Posted by PSEE

It's a DIESEL already!!!

How fast does fire spread with diesel fuel?

diesel has to be atomized and/or placed under a great deal of pressure in order
to combust. it ain't like gasoline...

Incorrect. When we were kids we used to burn tires with diesel fuel and lit it up with a regular match. Atomized???Please!

[335 oClock]

I wonder what's going on - this is the 5th e9x I have heard of catching fire

[f10bhx]

Originally Posted by bmwforme

any updates?

This afternoon actually.. Spoke to the insurers, they're still trying to find cause of fire, they're so slow! Bank holiday weekend here in the UK means they will look to instruct the company below at some point next week to find a cause and then take relevant action based on their findings.

http://www.hannaford-forensic.com/

http://www.hannaford-forensic.com/se...vehicle-fires/