E30 - Water Ingress in Boot

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Water Ingress in Boot

Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Cars & Registers
Forum Name: E30
Forum Description: Discussion forum for E30s
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=12269
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 4:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Water Ingress in Boot

Posted By: GlobalTraveller
Subject: Water Ingress in Boot
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2015 at 1:37pm

I know this is an age old problem, but I have two E30's one has water in the right well and the other flooded in the right well in the boot area of the car.

I cannot see where the water is coming from - any ideas?

Is it: light units leaking on drain off / sunroof drain blocked or the rubber surround leaking.

I have replaced one boot seal and doesn't seem to make any difference.

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1988 E30 316 4 door. Sold for record amount
1990 E30 318is 2 door. New Project
1973 Jensen Interceptor S III
1973 Jensen Healey

2007 Transporter Sportline...

Replies:

Posted By: davebrindlee36m3
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2015 at 3:50pm

The boot leak will most probably be from around the rear light. simple to remove and reseal. four 8mm nuts behind the inner plastic cover and its out.

Posted By: NickDE
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2015 at 6:51pm

The light gaskets should be available from BMW at a semi reasonable price. Remember pre and post facelift have different lights and so different gaskets

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Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator

Posted By: Cabrio
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2015 at 8:52pm

Also check aeriel hole and clear the drain in the floor as most areundersealed over in the factory

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E30 Register joint coordinator - Competition Secretary - Contact name Neil for PM and Email - cabrio_e30@yahoo.co.uk - be aware addicted to E numbers

Posted By: davebrindlee36m3
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2015 at 10:17pm

Also if the leak in the boot is from the rear light you will need to check for rust before sorting the new gasket. E30,s are prone to this fault.

Posted By: GlobalTraveller
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 8:25am

Thanks for all the tips and hints.....new grommet on aerial, new tail light gaskets all due to be fitted and hopefully that will cure the initial problems (I hope)

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1988 E30 316 4 door. Sold for record amount
1990 E30 318is 2 door. New Project
1973 Jensen Interceptor S III
1973 Jensen Healey

2007 Transporter Sportline...

Posted By: thechef
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2015 at 7:57pm

Just noticed this - if they have a sunroof, it could be from the draining hoses that come backm and exit from behind the back bumper on each side at the rear quarters, the holes get blocked and end up in the wells in either side of the boot.

Posted By: GlobalTraveller
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2015 at 8:26am

Thanks, will check this - have seen this issue on other forums, but haven't seen the sunroof drain pipes yet :-)

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1988 E30 316 4 door. Sold for record amount
1990 E30 318is 2 door. New Project
1973 Jensen Interceptor S III
1973 Jensen Healey

2007 Transporter Sportline...