BMW 1 Series Rough Idle & Limp Mode: Emissions Failure

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2018 BMW 2 Series last winter. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced, rough running, jerking, and limp mode. Turned out I had a significant exhaust leak near the manifold, which was messing with the oxygen sensors and causing the emissions failure. Found a cracked weld and a few deteriorated gaskets when I finally got it looked at. Wasn't a quick fix since they had to drop part of the exhaust system to access everything properly. Definitely not something you want to leave unaddressed, as it can lead to more serious engine problems if ignored. I held off getting it checked for a while too due to a bad previous experience, but glad I finally did. The exhaust leak was letting unmetered air into the system, which explained all the running issues. After the repair, the car ran like new again. Hope this helps with your decision-making. These symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Best of luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. It's reassuring to know you got it sorted out. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the exhaust repair? Also curious if you've had any other issues pop up since getting it fixed? Thanks!

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! The repair cost me 265 € for the exhaust leak fix, which included fixing the cracked weld and replacing those worn gaskets. I'd say it was money well spent because my 2 Series has been running perfectly smooth since then. The uneven engine running completely disappeared after the repair, such a relief! Haven't had a single issue since getting it sorted six months ago. The engine light stayed off, no more jerking during acceleration, and the car feels responsive like it should. It's amazing what a proper fix can do! The emissions tests are passing with flying colors now too. I totally understand being nervous about mechanic visits, but getting this fixed was definitely the right call. These BMWs are solid cars when properly maintained, and sometimes they just need a bit of TLC to get back to their best. Let me know if you want any other details about the repair. Always happy to help a fellow BMW owner!

Thanks so much for all the details! This really helped me make up my mind. After seeing your reply, I bit the bullet and took my 1 Series to a mechanic yesterday. Turns out it was exactly what you described, an exhaust leak! Had it fixed today and paid about 300 € all in. The difference is night and day! No more rough running, jerking's completely gone, and the engine light is off. The mechanic I found was actually great, super transparent about the whole process and even showed me the old parts. Such a relief after my last bad experience with repairs. Can't believe I was so worried about getting it checked. Really appreciate you sharing your story, it gave me the push I needed to get this sorted before it turned into something worse. Car's running like a dream now! Thanks again for all your help!