BMW 2 Diesel: Hard Start & Misfire Mystery Solved

Hi there! I have some experience with BMWs and had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW 1 Series diesel. Based on what you're describing, it sounds very familiar. I took my car to my trusted workshop when it started showing the same symptoms, rough starts, power loss, and misfiring. Turned out it was indeed a faulty sensor connection. The mechanic found a damaged wire and loose plug connection near the camshaft sensor. Total repair cost was 95 Euro, which included diagnostics and fixing the connection. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you share: How many miles/kilometers are on your car? Did these symptoms appear suddenly or gradually? Are there any other warning lights on? This info would help confirm if you're dealing with the same issue I had. These BMWs can be tricky, but they're great cars when running right.

Thanks for the detailed response! My BMW's at 11379 KM and just had its latest service done. The symptoms actually started showing up gradually over the past two weeks. First noticed the hard starts in the morning, then the power loss became more noticeable during acceleration. There's just a check engine light on, no other warning lights on the dash. Really hoping it's just a sensor issue like yours was. Would be a relief if it's just a wiring fix rather than having to replace the entire sensor unit!

Hey again! Just saw your follow-up about the mileage and symptoms. Your situation sounds even more similar to what I experienced now that you've shared those details. My BMW also started showing these symptoms gradually, first those annoying morning starts, then the power issues. The mileage on mine was about 12000 KM when it happened, so pretty close to yours. What's really interesting is that I also only had the check engine light, just like you're seeing now. In my case, the gradual onset was actually a good sign. When the mechanic checked it out, he found that moisture had slowly worked its way into the wiring connection, causing intermittent sensor readings. That's why the problems got worse over time. Quick tip from my experience, don't keep driving it too long with these symptoms. I made that mistake and drove it for about a month before getting it checked. While it wasn't catastrophic, it did cause some carbon buildup that needed cleaning. Since your symptoms match mine so closely, I'm pretty confident you're dealing with the same wiring connection issue. Definitely have it checked soon, but I wouldn't stress too much about it being something major.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and that helpful tip about not waiting too long! You've really put my mind at ease, especially since our cases seem so similar with the gradual onset and similar mileage. I've actually already booked the car in for tomorrow morning, didn't want to risk making things worse by waiting. Fingers crossed it's just that wiring connection like in your case. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain everything in detail, especially about the moisture issue and potential carbon buildup. I'll update the thread once I get it sorted, might help someone else with the same problem down the line. Thanks again for all your help!