BMW 5 Series Timing Issue? Engine Light & Power Loss Help

Hey there! I've got some experience working on cars, not a pro mechanic but I've dealt with similar issues. Had almost identical symptoms with my 2012 BMW 3 Series (also gas engine). The crankshaft sensor was acting up, causing all sorts of trouble, engine light, poor performance, the works. Took it to my regular workshop and they diagnosed it pretty quickly. The whole repair, including parts and labor, set me back 340 Euro, but it fixed everything, no more weird noises, power came back, and fuel consumption went back to normal. Could be the same issue with your 5 Series, but I'd need more info to be sure. What's your mileage? Any other symptoms? Have you noticed if it happens more during cold starts or when the engine's warm? Also, those sensor errors you mentioned, any chance you could share what specific codes are showing up? Let me know and I'll try to help more based on my experience.

Hey! I've got similar symptoms on my 5 series at 183343 KM. Just had my service last month and everything was fine until now. I think you might be onto something with the crankshaft sensor. Mine's also acting weird mostly during cold starts, and the power loss is really noticeable on acceleration. Quick question, did you notice any burning smell or unusual vibrations before replacing the sensor? I'm getting those too, and I'm trying to figure out if I should take it to the shop right away or if it's safe to drive for another week or so. Really appreciate the detailed info about the repair costs. That's actually not as bad as I was expecting, especially considering all the symptoms it fixes. Would love to know if your fix has held up well since then.

Hey again! Yeah, my sensor fix has been holding up great, it's been about 8 months now with no issues. Actually, I did notice some vibrations before getting it fixed, especially when idling. But I didn't get any burning smell in my case. The vibrations were pretty mild at first but got worse over time. Given what you're describing, especially that burning smell, I wouldn't wait too long to get it checked out. The burning smell could mean that something's already starting to get damaged. I know waiting a week might be tempting, but from my experience, these kinds of issues tend to get worse pretty quickly. I learned that the hard way, I initially tried to push through it for a couple weeks and ended up causing some minor damage to other components. Nothing major, but it did bump up my repair costs a bit. With the symptoms you're describing, especially at that mileage, it really sounds similar to what I dealt with. The cold start issues and power loss during acceleration were exactly what I experienced. If you want my honest advice, get it checked out as soon as you can. Better to spend that 340 now than risk more expensive repairs later. The fix isn't too complicated, and most shops can get it done in a day.

Thanks so much for the detailed advice! You've convinced me, I'm not going to risk making things worse by waiting. Called my mechanic and got an appointment for tomorrow morning. Really glad I asked here before trying to tough it out for another week. The part about additional damage from waiting too long really hit home. My car's been pretty reliable up until now, and I'd like to keep it that way. If it's really the crankshaft sensor, the repair cost sounds totally reasonable, especially compared to what I was imagining. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It's super helpful to hear from someone who's been through the same thing. I'll update once I get it sorted out. Thanks again for the great advice!