X5M up in flames

[jballs16]

Originally Posted by Richy Rich

I'm curious as to why you'd rather be burned alive than break a window to get out of the car...

It's incredibly difficult to break a car window. I've thrown a fist sized rock at a drivers side window and it bounced off. This is why they make window punches that shatter the glass.

Im not saying, when in a life or death situation, someone couldn't muster up the strength to break the window and get out of the car, but it would take a serious amount of force.

[bjcarls]

Do you store your lighter and weed back there?

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

That's odd that it wouldn't let you out. Is it just that model?

I have a F22 and F31 and they seem to unlock mechanically from the inside. Pull once to unlock the door, pull again to open the door. I imagine it would work the same with no power.

I read every post and will subscribe to hear any explanation for this. Very scary that the double pull didn't work.

[wishiwereking]

Did you buy this new from a BMW dealer or used?

Glad you are ok and it is very odd for this to happen.

[spencers]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

That's odd that it wouldn't let you out. Is it just that model?

I have a F22 and F31 and they seem to unlock mechanically from the inside. Pull once to unlock the door, pull again to open the door. I imagine it would work the same with no power.

Wondering the same here.

[Lrpe_m3]

Originally Posted by heat'n'cool

My ASD wasn't unplugged. It was all in tact. No need to worry about that Gents. What they did say is that they think it started near the battery area.. not sure about that..

I do have to give props to my local dealer.. They are giving me a 100% refund for original purchase of the car plus any extras i bought... If i wanted a BMW again they have my loyalty however Im no longer driving a BMW.

Looking at the 2017 GLE 63 AMG S or the 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo...

Glad you made it out. Post some pics of your new ride

[Corno_Baldwin]

Glad to hear you're ok! What a scary experience!!

[e46e92love]

Glad you are good!!

FYI, Don't need power to unlock car. Pull handle twice. All BMWs like this, and have been for decades. Only way to turn off this feature is in rear pax doors "child" lock is engaged.

Cheers,
e46e92

[3PedalMINI]

Originally Posted by spencers

Wondering the same here.

Just disconnected my battery in my 235 and it worked.

Of course with all the electronics in the car going haywire and with a fire i could see the possibility of the electronic locks engaging.

So scary. Wow! makes me Leary to keep my 2er in the garage now I know completely different cars but still.

[woobiee]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Glad you are good!!

FYI, Don't need power to unlock car. Pull handle twice. All BMWs like this, and have been for decades. Only way to turn off this feature is in rear pax doors "child" lock is engaged.

Cheers,
e46e92

From my experience, if the car is armed, you cannot open the car from the inside. This has been the case with our E38 7, E46 3, and probably F82 (I haven't tried it yet) -- it may be for all BMWs really. I think I read that this a safety feature to immobilize the car when armed.

Maybe in this situation, the electrical system was damaged by the fire and got out of wack, thinking it is armed.

[TailgatingBMW]

Holy shit well thankfully you're OK but that's so weird? I've never heard of anything like this with BMW's before.

[kanvas]

Anything from BMW NA? And how's the recovery process going?

[RENT-A-GOAT]

This is crazy but always remember if you ever get stuck inside a car and need to break the glass, just pull one of the head restraints all of the way out of the seats, you will notice the metal legs have a slight point (chamfer) to them this is designed in this way both for them to locate easy but also for them to be used to break the glass in an emergency situation.

[MachinesWithSouls]

This can happen to any car. To not buy another BMW because of it is stupid. Might as well not buy any car then.

[goj]

I hope you're ok. BMW should give you an entirely new X5M if you so choose

[Dinh335]

Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars

This can happen to any car. To not buy another BMW because of it is stupid. Might as well not buy any car then.

it left a bad taste in his mouth, that's more the reason he's moving on than anything else. He probably just doesn't want a reminder of this pretty scary incident. To not see that and judge his choice from the comfort of your office chair and not on oxygen in a hospital bed seems a bit stupid to me.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by RENT-A-GOAT

This is crazy but always remember if you ever get stuck inside a car and need to break the glass, just pull one of the head restraints all of the way out of the seats, you will notice the metal legs have a slight point (chamfer) to them this is designed in this way both for them to locate easy but also for them to be used to break the glass in an emergency situation.

nice tip..

Originally Posted by AlexLou1222

Wow this is so scary!!! Glad I have my pistol in the truck, so if I get locked I can shoot the window to get out...

GUNS are not the answer here.. see the tip above... should this happen to you.. try not to shoot anyone coming to your assistance... or a passerby in another car..

[Kwando]

Scary! Glad you and your family are safe.

So has BMW NA reached out to you yet?

Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars

This can happen to any car. To not buy another BMW because of it is stupid. Might as well not buy any car then.

While true that it can happen to any car, I think because it happened in a BMW OP will forever associate BMW with this near-death experience. I don't blame him either.

[zero4]

I read a news article yesterday about a car thief steeling a 7 series and the owner reported it to BMW and BMW remotely locked the door and the guy was trapped inside the car.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by Dinh335

it left a bad taste in his mouth, that's more the reason he's moving on than anything else. He probably just doesn't want a reminder of this pretty scary incident. To not see that and judge his choice from the comfort of your office chair and not on oxygen in a hospital bed seems a bit stupid to me.

You don't know me or where I'm judging him from brotato chip.

[F32Fleet]

I thought car doors are required by law to have mechanical unlock and open. This is a big deal if it went down exactly like the OP describes it.

Glad OP is doing better.
.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Can-am

For security reasons , if the ignition is off , you can't open the doors.

I know , it sounds stupid and very dangerous in that particular case ...

Your door will open from the inside(when the doors are locked). You just have to "pump" the inside door release handle a few times(twice) - for your door to open. I guess if you didn't know this... it might be frightening. This is why everyone should read their owners manual.

Btw... I doubt it was your tail light. More probable was your audio amp in that corner or the ASD. I really wonder IF any (electrical) work was done to your car recently. But then again... I don't think you would want to say so in a public forum like this - for "insurance" purposes.