BMW 1 Series DPF Warning Causes Smoke and Power Loss

Hey there! I've got some experience with BMW diesels since I own a 2017 BMW 3 Series diesel (also had a 2 Series before). Had almost the exact same issue last month. DPF warning, sluggish performance, the works. After diagnosing, it turned out to be the exhaust back pressure sensor gone bad. Got it fixed at my regular workshop, total bill came to 245 Euro including parts and labor. Car's running smooth now, no more warnings. Quick question though, what's your mileage and have you noticed any other warning lights? This info would help me share more relevant details from my experience. Word of advice: Don't wait too long with these DPF issues. Putting it off can lead to more expensive repairs down the road.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My BMW has 35770 KM on the clock and just had its service last month. No other warning lights showing up besides the DPF one. That's really helpful to know about the back pressure sensor, good to hear it's not as costly as I feared. Was considering taking it to the dealer but might try my trusted mechanic first since you had success with yours. Did the fix completely solve the smoke issue for you too?

Hey again! Yes, the smoke issue cleared up completely after fixing the back pressure sensor on my 3 Series. Honestly, I was a bit worried at first because even after the repair, it took about 2-3 days of regular driving for everything to get back to normal, the ECU needed some time to adjust and complete a proper regeneration cycle. Since your mileage is pretty similar to what mine was when I had the issue (I was at around 38000 KM), and you're seeing the same symptoms, I'm even more confident it's the same problem. Your trusted mechanic should be able to handle it, mine did a great job and charged way less than what the dealer quoted me. Just one tip from my experience, after the sensor was replaced, my mechanic recommended doing a good motorway run (at least 20 minutes of continuous driving at higher revs) to help kick-start the regeneration process. Worked like a charm for me, and I haven't had any DPF-related issues since. Let me know how it goes if you get it fixed. Always good to share experiences with these common issues.

Really appreciate the detailed follow-up! That's super reassuring to hear the smoke cleared up completely for you. I'll definitely keep in mind about the 2-3 day adjustment period, good to know that's normal and not a sign of the repair failing. I've already called my mechanic and booked it in for next week. The tip about the motorway run is exactly what I needed to know. I'll make sure to plan a good drive after getting it fixed. Actually feeling much better about this whole situation now, was worried I'd be looking at a complete DPF replacement which would've been way more expensive. Thanks again for all your help and sharing your experience. It's made what seemed like a scary problem feel much more manageable. I'll try to remember to update this thread after the repair for anyone else who might have similar issues in the future.