Whiffy Exhaust on E34 5 series

[mr.man]

My E39 528i has developed an unusual smell which I think originates from the exhaust. More noticable when cold and only seems to enter the cabin when in slow traffic. It smells like when you've just blown out a candle,sort of smokey and hot wax. Any suggestions? Lambda sensor or cat breaking down? It's done 117000 miles. Any help appreciated,thanks.

[blackspider]

Hmmmmm,thats an odd one..CATS tend to give off an egg smell but that tends to be when new or if the vehicle is running hot.when they break there's no smell or even if a lambda fails-if anything a bit more of a fuel smell as it runs rich.

Either you have an oil burn on the exhaust from the transmission/engine/steering/coolant or its just possible that a plastic bag has caught up on the exhaust and is melting...worth a look

[mr.man]

I've had the car up on ramps at the local tyre and exhaust and could find nothing wrong. Checked for plastic bag etc. but didn't check for oil leak. Will investigate further on that one as the heater blower is always running and could be drawing the smell into the cabin. Cheers.