BMW X1 Check Engine Light + Power Loss: IAT Sensor Issue?

Hey there! I had a pretty similar issue with my 2015 BMW X3 last year. The symptoms were exactly like what you're describing, check engine light and drop in power. My mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty intake air temperature sensor. Got it fixed at my local workshop and it cost me around 155 Euro total, parts and labor included. The whole thing took about an hour to replace. Since then, the car's been running perfectly fine. Could you share more details about your X1? Like the engine type and mileage? That would help me confirm if it's the same problem I faced. Also, are you noticing any other symptoms, like rough idling or poor fuel economy? Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more info.

Hi, thanks for the detailed response! My X1 is a gasoline model with 37583 KM on the clock, and I just got it serviced recently. I'm actually experiencing those exact same symptoms you mentioned, the rough idling is particularly noticeable when the engine is cold. The fuel economy has also taken a hit in the past couple of weeks. That repair cost seems reasonable. Did you use OEM parts for the sensor replacement? I'm considering getting it fixed at a workshop, but I'd like to be well-informed before I go in. Your experience definitely gives me a good reference point for what to expect.

Hey again! Yes, I actually used an OEM sensor for my X3. After my experience, I'd definitely recommend going with OEM parts, they might cost a bit more upfront, but they're worth it in the long run. Mine was a genuine BMW part, and I haven't had any issues since the replacement. From what you're describing, it sounds exactly like what I dealt with. The cold start rough idle was what really convinced my mechanic too. And yeah, my fuel economy had dropped by about 15-20% before I got it fixed, super annoying when you're used to BMW's typically efficient performance! One thing I forgot to mention in my previous reply, when my mechanic was working on it, he also cleaned the throttle body while he was in there (since everything was already opened up). Might be worth asking your workshop about that too. It only added about 30 minutes to the job, but made a noticeable difference in how smoothly the engine runs. Just make sure your workshop has experience with BMWs. These sensors can be a bit tricky to access depending on the engine layout. Let me know how it goes when you get it fixed!

Thanks so much for all this helpful information! You've really put my mind at ease about the whole situation. I'll definitely follow your advice about the OEM parts, don't want to risk having to do this repair twice. And that's a great tip about the throttle body cleaning, I'll make sure to ask about that when I take it in. I've already called a workshop that specializes in BMWs and booked an appointment for next week. They seemed very knowledgeable when I described the symptoms, and even mentioned the intake temperature sensor as a likely cause before I brought it up. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience in such detail. I'll probably stick around on this forum and let everyone know how it turns out once it's fixed. Thanks again for all your help!