2008 128i Convertible has 3rd most toxic "new car" smell

[soupy]

According to HealthyCar.org:

Over 200 of the most popular 2008- and 2009-model vehicles and over 60 children's car seats were tested for chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats, and carpet. These chemicals become part of the air we breathe, contributing to "new car smell" and a variety of acute and long-term health concerns. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is a major source of potential indoor air pollution. Children are the most vulnerable population since their systems are still developing.

Worst 5:

1.) Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GT (convertible)
2.) Suzuki Reno (hatchback)
3.) BMW 128i (convertible)
4.) VW Beetle (convertible)
5.) Lincoln Mark LT 4x4 (truck)


i was more curious as to why the 135i convertible isn't on this list as well. :iono: I do recall a post here from before of an owner and his/her friends feeling nauseous and sick due to the new car smell, so here's why I guess.

[Kiety]

good thing I had my top open the first 2 weeks of ownership, didn't even notice the new car smell too much.

[Tom K.]

And the M5 is one of the best!

http://www.healthycar.org/press.releases.php

I'm keeping my top down as it was intended to be, but I definitely am aware of some out gassing near several farms in my county!
Tom

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by soupy

i was more curious as to why the 135i convertible isn't on this list as well. :iono: .

The 128i Cabrio is listed because it was only 1-series model tested..
http://www.healthycar.org/vehicle.se...hp?getmake=BMW

The study and testing procedures has the toxic smell of bullshit - IMHO.

[warmtoes]

What? Didn't notice it that much. Did it say if the seats were leather or leatherette?

[balaroue]

In my 135 (coupe), I did not notice any of that new car smell at all! Zero.

[mistermojorizin]

i wonder if the car they tested had leatherette - because that stuff is made from vinyl it has lead and phthalates it it - chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity

http://www.leadcheck.com/PB-24.html
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Phthalates

[1speedbike]

i'm sure if the toxicity levels were that bad, the car would be outlawed or something.. probably no worse than inhaling second hand smoke for a couple of weeks..

[roldan]

I was reading this yesterday and their testing methodology does seem highly dubious. They took an X-ray fluorescence gun (which I used in a materials science class once and is way cool, incidentally) and went around the car testing the composition of materials for specific elements they think are dangerous.

Looks like the 1er got dinged mostly for having chlorine present on a lot of trim pieces. Which is crap, because it's not as if there's free chlorine bleach around in the car, just chlorine that's part of the plastics. Using the XRF gun on the PVC pipes that are connected to the water supply in your house would probably produce alarming results also - if the chlorine is bound up into harmless plastics which are already everywhere around us, I seriously doubt there's any issue.

I strongly dislike fearmongering.

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by roldan

I was reading this yesterday and their testing methodology does seem highly dubious. They took an X-ray fluorescence gun (which I used in a materials science class once and is way cool, incidentally) and went around the car testing the composition of materials for specific elements they think are dangerous.

Looks like the 1er got dinged mostly for having chlorine present on a lot of trim pieces. Which is crap, because it's not as if there's free chlorine bleach around in the car, just chlorine that's part of the plastics. Using the XRF gun on the PVC pipes that are connected to the water supply in your house would probably produce alarming results also - if the chlorine is bound up into harmless plastics which are already everywhere around us, I seriously doubt there's any issue.

I strongly dislike fearmongering.

Roldan, nice evaluation of the testing methodology and methods. Thanks.

[imported_Katera]

/shrug....here's a thought. Put the top down? LOL

Seriously though, I think the new car smell in my 135i is "intoxicating". Love it.

[Omega Man]

Originally Posted by mistermojorizin

i wonder if the car they tested had leatherette - because that stuff is made from vinyl it has lead and phthalates it it - chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity

http://www.leadcheck.com/PB-24.html
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Phthalates

I like the subtle way you broach a subject. Subtle like a Louisville Slugger upside Joe Pesci's fictional brother Domenic's head in the movie Casino.

I opted for leather but suspect the ette will hold up better over time. I attribute it to the asbestos thread reinforced material used. The high dose radiation bath given immediately before delivery to toughen it up is going to contribute to longevity as well. And moths can look elsewhere, what with the 48 hour chlordate treatment. DDT when chlordate is in short supply.

/you don't really want to know how leather is made. Hint: Lots and lots of lye and formaldehyde. Since working with the stuff is probably a lot more contributory to illness than putting your duff on it, the argument could be made that leather's a lot less healthy, at least for the workers.

[bily]

maybe that's y it's called Boston leather. Anyway, I just came out if an E90 and the lether is Definately different. It dose not hold it's shape very well. I think my CA stretched my drivers seat out. My dog being in the back seat for a few days last week left some huge indentations.

Could b the sun reflective technology. Oh well who cares. I put the top up on Tuesdays only for travel across town.