BMW 2 Series DPF Nightmare: Fix or Find New Mechanic?

Hey there! I can relate to your DPF troubles. I've got a 2012 BMW 3 Series diesel and faced almost identical symptoms last month. The exhaust back pressure sensor on mine was completely shot, caused rough idling, drop in power, and that annoying black smoke under acceleration. It turned out to be quite a serious issue that needed immediate attention. The faulty sensor was causing incorrect readings, which messed with the DPF regeneration cycle. My mechanic found that the sensor was clogged with soot and had actually started corroding from the inside. The fix required replacing the pressure sensor and doing a forced DPF regeneration to clear the system. The whole job took about a day, and they also cleaned the EGR valve while they were at it since these issues often come as a package deal. Just a heads up, make sure they check the wiring harness connected to the sensor too. In my case, there was some minor damage there that could've caused problems again if left unchecked. Hope this helps with your decision-making. Get it sorted soon, as DPF issues tend to snowball if left unattended.

Thanks that's exactly what I was dealing with! Really helpful to hear about your experience. Just curious, would you mind sharing how much the whole repair set you back? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues popping up? I want to make sure I budget properly and know what to expect down the road.

Hey again! Really glad to hear my previous reply helped you out. Great news, after getting the exhaust back pressure sensor replaced, my BMW's been running like a dream! The total bill came to 245 € for the sensor replacement, and honestly, it was worth every penny. The smoke's completely gone, power's back to normal, and that annoying dashboard light is finally off. Since the fix about a month ago, I haven't had a single issue, the car feels just like it did when I first got it. The idle is smooth, acceleration is crisp, and there's no more of that frustrating power loss that was driving me crazy before. Just make sure you get a proper diagnosis and repair job done, it really makes all the difference. My car passed the emissions test with flying colors after the fix, so that's another worry off my mind. Trust me, sorting this sooner rather than later is definitely the way to go. You don't want to end up with bigger DPF problems down the line. Let me know how you get on with the repair!

Thanks so much for the detailed info! I went ahead and got it fixed yesterday, what a difference! The mechanic I found was actually great, way better than my last experience. They spotted the same issue you mentioned with the sensor and some minor wiring problems too. Total cost came to a bit more than yours, around 300 €, since they had to sort out some wiring, but honestly, seeing the car running properly again is such a relief. No more smoke, engine's got its power back, and that pesky warning light is finally gone. Had to do a short drive today and it felt like driving a completely different car, smooth, responsive, and no more worrying about failing emissions tests! Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me avoid getting ripped off and gave me the confidence to get it sorted properly. Thanks again for all your help!