BMW 8 Diesel Rough Start & Stalling: Sensor Issue?

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2017 BMW 5 series diesel last year. The symptoms were spot on with what you're describing, rough idle, stalling, jerky acceleration, and that dreaded check engine light. Turned out it was indeed the camshaft position sensor, specifically the encoder wheel was defective. Had to get both camshaft sensors replaced as a precautionary measure. The problem was actually quite serious since it was affecting the engine timing and could've led to more severe engine damage if left unchecked. When I brought it to my mechanic, they first ran a diagnostic test to confirm the fault codes. They found multiple misfiring codes and irregular camshaft position readings. The repair involved removing the valve cover to access the sensors and encoder wheels. The whole job took about half a day. Since the fix, the car's been running smooth as butter, no more starting issues or rough idles. I'd definitely get it checked out soon, as these symptoms won't improve on their own and could lead to bigger problems. Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! That really sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Good to hear it got sorted out in the end. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other issues popping up? Would love to know what to expect cost-wise and make sure there's nothing else I should watch out for.

Hey again! I actually just had this fixed last month, and honestly, it was worth every penny. The total came to 695 € for replacing the encoder wheel on the camshafts. Might sound a bit steep, but considering the potential damage it could've caused if left unfixed, I'd say it was money well spent. And you'll be glad to hear that since the repair, my car's been running absolutely fantastic! No more of those scary stalling moments or rough starts. The engine's purring like new, and the acceleration is buttery smooth again. Haven't had a single problem since the fix, it's like having a completely different car. One thing I learned from this whole experience though, don't wait too long if you notice these symptoms. Getting it fixed sooner rather than later can prevent more expensive problems down the road. Trust me, your BMW will thank you for it! Let me know how it goes with yours. Always happy to share experiences with fellow BMW owners!

Thanks so much for all the details! After reading your advice, I bit the bullet and took my car to a certified BMW mechanic. You were spot on, it was the camshaft sensor causing all the trouble. The repair ended up costing me around 750 € total, including diagnostics. A bit more than I hoped for, but the difference in how the car runs now is like night and day! No more rough starts or stalling, and that annoying jerking during acceleration is completely gone. Honestly, I'm just relieved to have my car running properly again. The mechanic was really thorough and even showed me the old parts to explain what had gone wrong. Much better experience than my last repair shop visit. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me feel more confident about getting it sorted. Now I can finally enjoy driving my BMW again without worrying about it breaking down!