BMW X2 Diesel: Severe Jerking and Power Loss Issues

Hey there! Your symptoms sound very familiar. I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW X1 diesel last year. I have some experience working on cars (mostly basic maintenance), but this was definitely beyond my skills. I experienced almost identical problems, jerking, rough running, drop in power, and that distinct diesel smell. Turned out to be a scorched intake manifold that was leaking. Took it to my regular workshop and they confirmed it with proper diagnostics. The entire repair, including parts and labor, set me back about 1180 Euro, but it fixed the issue completely. I also had a with a BMW X4 who faced similar problems. Before I can share more specific details that might help, could you share: Have you scanned for error codes? When did these symptoms first appear? Does it happen more when the engine is cold or warm? Have you noticed any smoke from the exhaust?

Thanks for the detailed reply! My X2 has 144437 KM on the clock and had its last service about 2 months ago. I did scan for codes using my 's diagnostic tool, it showed P0299 and P2463, suggesting something with the turbo and DPF system. The symptoms started gradually over the last two weeks, but got really bad in the last few days. The jerking and power loss are definitely worse when the engine is cold, especially in the morning. I've noticed thick black smoke from the exhaust when accelerating hard, which wasn't happening before. Your intake manifold experience is interesting, how long did the repair take? I'm trying to figure out if I should take it to the dealer or find a good independent shop.

Hey again! Thanks for the additional info. Those error codes definitely ring a bell, had similar ones on my X1 before the intake manifold was replaced. In my case, the repair took about 6-7 hours total. The independent shop I used was great, and honestly, they charged way less than what the dealer quoted me. The black smoke you're mentioning is exactly what I experienced too. It's usually a sign that the engine isn't getting the right air-fuel mixture, which makes sense if the intake manifold is acting up. In my case, the manifold had developed cracks around the swirl flaps, causing all sorts of chaos with the air flow. Just a heads up, when I initially took it to the dealer, they wanted to replace several other components too, including sensors and the DPF. But my trusted mechanic checked and confirmed it was just the intake manifold causing all these issues. Once replaced, all the symptoms disappeared completely. Given your mileage and symptoms, I'd bet good money you're dealing with the same issue. My advice? Get a quote from both the dealer and a reputable independent shop that specializes in BMW. The repair itself isn't super complicated for someone who knows these engines well. Just make sure they use genuine parts, that's what made the difference in my case.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! This is exactly the kind of detailed insight I was hoping for. It's really reassuring to hear that you had such similar symptoms and got them resolved. I've actually called a few shops today after reading your message, and found a well-reviewed independent BMW specialist who can look at it next week. You've saved me a lot of worry about potentially needing a whole DPF system replacement. I'll make sure to ask them specifically about the intake manifold and those swirl flaps you mentioned. The price you quoted sounds much more manageable than what I was fearing. I'll definitely insist on genuine parts too, don't want to cut corners and end up with the same problem again. Will let you know how it goes after the repair. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all this info, it's been super helpful!