BMW 1 Series Glow Plug Issues? Cold Start Solutions Here

Hey there! I had a pretty similar issue with my 2018 BMW 2 Series diesel last winter. I've got some experience working on cars, but this was beyond my DIY skills. The symptoms were exactly like yours, that annoying preheat light wouldn't go off, and starting the car in cold weather was a real pain. Took it to my trusted workshop and they confirmed it was indeed a faulty glow plug. The whole repair, including parts and labor, set me back about 440 Euro. They had to replace one glow plug and check the others too. Since then, the car's been starting like a charm, even in cold weather. Could you share your exact engine variant and current mileage? This would help me tell you more about what to expect, as different engines might have slightly different setups.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My car's at 90162 KM and had its last service three months ago. It's helpful to know the repair wasn't too complicated in your case. Just wondering, did you notice any drop in fuel efficiency before getting it fixed? I'm noticing mine seems a bit thirstier lately, especially during cold starts. Really hoping it's just the glow plugs and nothing more serious.

Hey again! Yeah, now that you mention fuel efficiency, I definitely noticed the same thing with my BMW before getting the glow plugs sorted. Mine was burning through about 10-15% more fuel, especially during those first few minutes after a cold start. It's totally normal when the glow plugs aren't working properly because the engine has to work harder to maintain combustion. Since my repair, fuel consumption went back to normal, and I'm getting much better mileage now. Your mileage is pretty similar to what mine was when I had the issue (I was around 85,000 KM). One thing I didn't mention in my previous reply, after they fixed the glow plugs, my mechanic recommended checking the glow plug control module too. In my case, it was fine, but he said sometimes they can fail together. Might be worth asking your mechanic to take a look at that while they're at it. The increased fuel consumption you're experiencing really does sound like classic glow plug symptoms, especially combined with your other issues. I wouldn't worry too much about it being something more serious. Let me know how it goes when you get it checked out!

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! That's really reassuring to hear about your fuel consumption returning to normal after the fix. I'll definitely mention the glow plug control module to my mechanic when I take it in next week. You've convinced me it's probably just the glow plugs, the symptoms match up perfectly with what you experienced. I was getting a bit worried about potential bigger issues, but this seems manageable. The 440 Euro you mentioned isn't cheap, but it's way better than what I was imagining! I'll update the group once I get it sorted. Really appreciate everyone's help with this, it's great having experienced owners to bounce these issues off of. Fingers crossed for a straightforward fix like yours!