My first love was a used Audi TT. When I bought it from the dealer, it had this unique scent...clean, a bit like floral honey. I loved it. It gradually faded after a year. Tried as I might, I was never able to find a cleaner or air freshener that replicated it.

My next car was a new American sedan. It had the standard old "new car" smell, and that faded after a few months.

When shopping for my Crossfire, I knew I'd found the right one for me (among other things) because I sat in it, took a deep breath, and there it was - that same scent.

I've never smelled it anywhere else, and I'd love to find out what it is so I can keep it going. So it seems to occur in used German sport coupes bought from a dealer. Pretty restrictive category, but I'm willing to bet it has something to do with "used" and "dealer" - likely a sterilizing agent of some sort used during the reconditioning process.

Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? Or am I just a little insane?

Any idea where I can get some more? (of the scent, not insanity).

 

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome - in this case you bought 2 used German sports cars and they both had the 'smell' you like - don't think you're crazy...just a 'good' nose - my brand new roadster (although 2 years old and sitting in port) has a unique smell also - new car but not the same as an American one...i hope someone helps you out!

 

Well currently my car smells like butt. I've brought to the dealer and I have to bring it back to get the butt smell out of there.

Do Germans smell like butt??
Maybe theres nothing wrong with the smelly vents after all.

 

I'd check for the previous owner, or....

very cute...not!

 

The secret scent comes from that good German beer they drank while they built these cars.

 

All good answers! But honestly, now that you mention it, it does really smell like a true unfiltered Weissbeir.

 

Maybe it is the leather?

 

Do German cows use a different shampoo?

I've considered the leather, but then why is it leather in other vehicles smells like leather, and not like this?
Along those lines, I have tried different leather conditoners, but they all attempt to replicate the true "new leather" smell. None of them match.

 

I bought a product some years ago (long forgotten its name) that was a cleaner for leather and along with it came a small (1-2 oz) bottle with a mister on it. Spraying that product re-created that wonderful rich smell of leather. I would spray a couple squirts under each seat and the leather scent would last weeks. But I've never been able to find the stuff again.

 

That smell I have noticed in most euro cars is sweeter than leather scent... not sure why but it reminds me of more of the sweet anti-freeze smell. Maybe antifreeze soaked leather.

 

yes, there is a sweetness. I think you are right.
We're on to something people! (Most importantly, it proves we're not crazy!)

 

cows taking baths, that is funny.


Maybe it is they feed the cows with a good German Bock beer to really bring out the scent in the leather as it cures.

 

Oh...you probably are crazy but I have noticed it also and I don't smell very good.

I think that came out wrong.


Anyway, I've had four Benzes and they all had that smell, even when they got older.


roadster with a stick

 

My research has determined that the smell comes from one of two things:

The really hot blonde German girls they get to wash the interior before shipping the cars.


OR...


The sweaty Turks that built the car!

 

Leather treatments usually contain some combination of the following components:

Small amounts of:
* Formaldehyde
* Methanoic Acid
* Methanol
Larger amounts of:
* Glycerin
* Ethyl Alcohol
* Isopropyl Alcohol

Plus whatever byproducts of the particular tanning process used to produce the leather haven't been washed out.

I personally like the way glycerin smells on leather, but I'm not sure if that's the "used european car smell" you speak of!

 

I'll have to check glycerin.

I know what the rest of them smell like, and that ain't it.

 

Lexol? Two bottles - a cleaner and a conditioner. it very well may be the smell you seek. It's very likely what a dealer would use to clean the leather and condition it. It's one of the best things you can do for your leather. And the smell you describe sure sounds like Lexol.



It won't hurt your leather a bit to try it and see.

 

I'm still gonna try the German blondes first. Should I rub them around the interior, or let them do the rubbing? Hmm... decisions, decisions, decisions!

 

after being a prior detailing business owner for over 10 years, perhaps i can assist...

i use 3 items to keep the new car leather scent... (many state, the car smells brand new)... use one item at a time.

1 - automagic leather conditioner... (true leather scent, very low sheen, non sticky and easy to use).

http://www.automagic.biz/specialt.htm (scroll down to no. 58)

2 - yankee candle 'leather' scented air freshener... (i place this under my seat slightly opened).

http://www.yankeecandle.com/cgi-bin/...sp?oid=4889141

3 - automobile 'leather essence' 2 fl oz spray... (can't seem to locate supplier - qdi inc).

 

Nope...wasnt Lexol...I've used that. In my opinion, Lexol doesn't have that true leather smell. At least the versions I've tried. Thanks for the suggestion tho...