[androdev]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Regular food chain going on in and around my precious Shadowfax :-(.

Rats under the bonnet and cats on top. The 330i unfortunately has a very hot engine plus a huge rough road package, which combined means ample space for rodents on cold winter nights.

My garage is unfortunately open on 3 sides. Suggestions required urgently please.

The immediate things I can do is to park it bonnet outwards so that the juicy bits are far more exposed to the cold, plus adds open area for the rats to traverse. Again, I can keep the garage lights on at night, thereby making it less appealing to night critters.

Will check out the 3M spray which seems to be very messy and with mixed reviews. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...-page-4-a.html (3M Rat Repellent Coating. EDIT: Doesn't seem to work (page 4))

Check with BMW a.s.s, they tie some stuff under the hood to repel rodents.

Keep those sticky/glue pads to trap rats in couple spots around the car.

Drive the car as regularly as possible.

[itwasntme]

Received this mail from my BMW dealer today:

To ensure safe travel and unlimited driving pleasure at all times, it is imperative to equip your BMW with the best tyres. As you may already know, the state of your tyres is crucial to achieve maximum grip in all road conditions.

Run-Flat Tyres with Star Marking not only undergo an intensive selection and testing process, they are also matched to the overall concept of your BMW model down to the last detail. Every time you purchase a tyre, be sure to look out for the star symbol on the side wall.

For any further information, please feel free to contact your BMW Service Manager at .

[itwasntme]

Found this lying on top of the sump guard, i.e. under the engine block.







Can anyone recognise what it is? Searched with the various numbers but with no luck. Is it the dratted bandicoot at work or something left over from PDI? Definitely it's some form of packing material, insulation or padding but has plastic wrapping only near the apex.

There are no signs of visual damage or any warning signals yet, but am a worried man. Have reached out to BMW and hoping to take it today.

On another note, the size of the critter can be judged from the paw prints:





This is not a cuddly dormouse we're talking about here. Cuddle this and you'll never be able to type again!

[dealer]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Found this lying on top of the sump guard, i.e. under the engine block.

Can anyone recognise what it is? Searched with the various numbers but with no luck. Is it the dratted bandicoot at work or something left over from PDI? Definitely it's some form of packing material, insulation or padding but has plastic wrapping only near the apex.

Certainly looks like packaging that should've been removed before delivery. You can search for the part number on realoem or bimmercat just to be sure.

[AMG Power]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Can anyone recognise what it is?

There is a white felt between the steering and the sump guard. It is to protect the steering system. In all probability a piece of that has been bitten off by the rat. If you don't have any warning lights on, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. So relax . But do get it checked all the same.

Attaching an image below, it's not of the 330i but there would be a similar one.



On the rats, there is a thread on team Bhp - have you gone over that? The new thread on the CR-V also has suggestions.

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Received this mail from my BMW dealer today:

This is what they said when you asked about rat prevention?

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Found this lying on top of the sump guard, i.e. under the engine block.

Looks like the rat has found the substance to keep feeding. Not a good sign.

Especially because rat bite induced damaged is nether covered in insurance or warranty.

Originally Posted by itwasntme

This is not a cuddly dormouse we're talking about here. Cuddle this and you'll never be able to type again!

Looking at the pug marks, looks like a big brown rat. If you have a CCTV in your parking, you would catch a glimpse of it when it may have dragged the glue trap to free itself.

Point to note, do not wet the glue trap; since its paper based. Keep it away from water.


Did the rat indulge on PCI Roban cakes?

Other options you have are
1. Putting tar brushes. Refer below like to GTO 530d rat proofing.
Link (Rat-proof Fencing as a solution for the rodent menace?)

2. You will have to trap the rat. Best option is Black Cat Rat Trap:Mouse Catch.
Be careful while putting the latch.
Amazon Link.


I have faced a similar situation and its a nightmare checking the car every morning to see if rats haven't damaged anything.

[PrideRed]

Tobacco works well, however need to be pretty strong one and has to be replaced once in a week to be effective. Diesel is easier option, smear on waste cloth piece and place it inside engine. Effect lasts for 3-4 days.

Below trap has worked wonders for me. Have almost 90% success rate.
https://www.amazon.in/Swabs%C2%AE-Ra...15477&sr=8-101

[Vid6639]

Please order a couple of bottles of this and spray every 2 weeks. They reduce the rat entry to a decent extent. This is far more potent than the 3M stuff:

http://www.noratsincar.com/

You can whatsapp the number on top (Parag) and google pay him. He ships in 2-3 days.

[Gannu_1]

What I’ve been doing to repel rats from the parking slot at the apartment basement:

1. Keep the place dry and the vicinity clean. I do the bucketless wash so no water accumulation.

2. Regularly spray the red Hit bottle on the floor below the engine bay and around the car. This is not done as soon as I park the car and step out!

There are more potent insecticides which can be sprayed. The concentrate is available at the shops that retail agricultural stuff. Please ask around.

[itwasntme]

Visited Navnit Bellary Road today and was relieved to hear that the padding is for heat insulation between the power steering pump and the engine shield/guard. It is not a crucial component, and I was assured there is no issue at all if the same is missing.

The original piece was like this (picture taken from another G20 330i):



Which the furry critter made into this:



Must say the G20 rough road package is very comprehensive:

Originally Posted by dealer

Certainly looks like packaging that should've been removed before delivery. You can search for the part number on realoem or bimmercat just to be sure.

The funny thing is I was trying exactly that all morning, but failed to find it. This padding is not a child part but part of the shield itself. It seems it cannot be ordered separately.

Originally Posted by AMG Power

There is a white felt between the steering and the sump guard. It is to protect the steering system. In all probability a piece of that has been bitten off by the rat. If you don't have any warning lights on, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. So relax . But do get it checked all the same.

Attaching an image below, it's not of the 330i but there would be a similar one.

Attachment 2087276

On the rats, there is a thread on team Bhp - have you gone over that? The new thread on the CR-V also has suggestions.

Thanks! Sprayed a peppermint oil/vinegar combo today on the wheels and floor area underneath the engine. Looking for tobacco leaves locally too. Ordered the 3M thingy as well.

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

This is what they said when you asked about rat prevention?

Looking at the pug marks, looks like a big brown rat. If you have a CCTV in your parking, you would catch a glimpse of it when it may have dragged the glue trap to free itself.

Point to note, do not wet the glue trap; since its paper based. Keep it away from water.

Did the rat indulge on PCI Roban cakes?

Other options you have are
1. Putting tar brushes. Refer below like to GTO 530d rat proofing.
Link (Rat-proof Fencing as a solution for the rodent menace?)

2. You will have to trap the rat. Best option is Black Cat Rat Trap:Mouse Catch.
Be careful while putting the latch.
Amazon Link.

Haha, no no the email came coincidentally at this very time. Bought the rat cakes but apprehensive to scatter them in the garage. We have a very inquisitive Beagle who thinks everything is edible. .

Buying the rat trap today itself. The glue trap unfortunately got wet in a mild drizzle overnight. That could have been one reason why it manage to slip out.

Originally Posted by PrideRed

Tobacco works well, however need to be pretty strong one and has to be replaced once in a week to be effective. Diesel is easier option, smear on waste cloth piece and place it inside engine. Effect lasts for 3-4 days.

Below trap has worked wonders for me. Have almost 90% success rate.
https://www.amazon.in/Swabs%C2%AE-Ra...15477&sr=8-101

Thanks to Gannu & Vid too! Will be trying all these remedies ASAP.

[lapis_lazuli]

I have seen desi non branded naphthalene balls work wonders in keeping vermin at bay. Please keep a few balls at strategic locations within and outside the car, for a few weeks. Once repelled, the pest usually doesn't come back. BTW, did somebody have food in the car? Leftovers and tiny crumbs emit smell. That attracts the vermin and the trick is to mask the "edible" scent to something overpowering and repulsive. I sincerely hope, you get rid of the critters. I know how it contributes to nightmares, sweats and general anxiety.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

*Thanks! Sprayed a peppermint oil/vinegar combo today on the wheels and floor area underneath the engine. Looking for tobacco leaves locally too. Ordered the 3M thingy as well.
*Haha, no no the email came coincidentally at this very time. Bought the rat cakes but apprehensive to scatter them in the garage. We have a very inquisitive Beagle who thinks everything is edible. .
*Buying the rat trap today itself.
*Thanks to Gannu & Vid too! Will be trying all these remedies ASAP.

The rat poison worked! See the size of the critter. Mods, please delete if it is in bad taste (pun not intended):



Neighbour also found a smaller one in front of his door. So looks like the local rat society had a feast.

3M rat spray reaching today - will spray on the garage floor underneath the usual engine location. My gardener will bring me the tobacco leaves today as well. I'll keep using the rat traps intermittently - so far haven't noticed any further droppings.

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

The rat poison worked!

Rat poison used was PCI Roban cakes?

That rat is huge.

Heave a sigh of relief but do continue with the precautions.

Always a good habit to peek inside bonnet at least once a week.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Rat poison used was PCI Roban cakes?

Always a good habit to peek inside bonnet at least once a week.

Yes to both! Created quite a stir in our estate.

Our pest control agency was called and he said nothing but rat cakes can 'control' such big rats. No trap usually catches them as they are too canny to enter them, plus can bite their way out of even wire cages.

Hoping the worst is now over but will keep tabs from now on!

[itwasntme]

Crossed 5,000 km last week and nothing to report. It's a delight to drive and the engine sounds less tight as it settles down:


(Click for the hi-res picture and see in landscape mode)

Tyre wear (Bridgestone Turanza T005) is even but definitely higher than my previous experiences with non-RFTs.

Looking at the pictures (fronts), I feel these will start deteriorating by 15-17K km, and need a change within 25K km max. Hopefully, the import mess will be over long before that, and I can get those yummy Michelin PS4s.