BMW 1 Series: Power Loss & Check Engine Light Mystery

Hey there! I actually faced the same issue with my 2007 BMW 3 Series diesel last year. The symptoms were identical, check engine light and significant power loss, especially during acceleration. Initially thought it was something major, but turned out the intake air temperature sensor was indeed faulty. Had it fixed at a garage and it wasn't really a serious problem. The job took about an hour since the sensor was easy to access. They also cleaned the surrounding area while they were at it. The car's been running perfectly since then, and the power came back immediately after the repair. While you're at it, have them check the wiring harness connected to the sensor, in my case, there was some minor wear that needed attention. Just make sure whoever works on it uses OEM parts. The cheap aftermarket sensors tend to fail pretty quickly from what I've seen. Best of luck with the repair.

Hey again, glad to hear you got it sorted! Thanks for sharing your experience, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the fix? Also curious if you've had any other issues pop up since then? Been a bit paranoid about car troubles lately, so trying to stay ahead of potential problems.

Hey! Happy to share the details about the repair cost, I paid 155 € to get the faulty intake air temperature sensor fixed, and honestly, it was worth every penny. The mechanic did a thorough job, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. The best part is that since getting it sorted, my 3 Series has been running like a dream, no more power loss issues or warning lights. It's been really smooth sailing, which is such a relief. You know how these car troubles can make you worry about every little noise and problem! The repair was pretty straightforward, took less than an hour, and the difference in performance was obvious right away. The mechanic used a genuine BMW part too, which I reckon is why it's held up so well. I totally get being paranoid about car issues, been there myself! But in this case, once the sensor was replaced, that was pretty much the end of the story. My car's been behaving perfectly since then, so hopefully, you'll have the same experience. Just make sure they use quality parts and you should be good to go!

Thanks so much for all those details! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you were spot on. The repair ended up costing me a bit more, around 180 €, but I'm not complaining because they did a really thorough job. They also spotted and fixed some worn wiring while they were in there, which probably saved me from future headaches. The whole experience wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. The mechanic I found was actually pretty great, really took the time to explain everything and show me the old sensor. It's such a relief having the car back to normal, no more check engine light, and the power's completely back. Feels like I'm driving a different car! Funny how we work ourselves up about these things, right? Was losing sleep over what could've been wrong, but it turned out to be a relatively simple fix. Really appreciate everyone's help and advice on this. Think I've finally found a trustworthy mechanic too, so that's an added bonus!