BMW X3 Injector Issues? Symptoms Point to Fuel System

Hi there! I have some experience working on cars and faced a similar issue with my 2012 BMW X1 last year (also had a 320i before). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with. It turned out to be a loose connection in the fuel injection wiring harness. The workshop found that one of the connectors wasn't making proper contact, causing misfires and those exact symptoms you mentioned. The fix was relatively straightforward, they had to repair and secure the connection properly. Cost me 95 Euro and the car's been running perfectly since then. Before you go further, could you tell us: Have you checked if there are any error codes? What color is the smoke you're seeing? When exactly did these symptoms start? This info would help narrow down if you're facing the same issue I had or if it might be something else.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Just had my last service 2 months ago at 63472 KM, and I'm seeing similar symptoms. The smoke is grayish-white, and the problems started about a week ago after a cold morning start. Haven't checked for error codes yet, but definitely will get that done. Really hoping it's just a wiring issue like yours and not something more serious with the injectors themselves. Did you notice any warning lights on your dash before getting it fixed?

Hey again! Yes, actually I did have warning lights, the check engine light was flickering on and off, which was another red flag alongside those symptoms. In my case, the cold starts definitely made it worse, just like what you're experiencing. The grayish-white smoke you're seeing is really similar to what I had. That's often a sign of unburned fuel getting into the exhaust, which makes sense if there's an injection system issue. With my X1, it was most noticeable when I first accelerated after the car had been sitting for a while. Definitely get those error codes checked, that's what really helped pinpoint the issue with mine. The mechanic showed me the codes and they clearly pointed to the injection system. Given that you're having such similar symptoms, especially after cold starts, I'd bet you're dealing with something very close to what I had. One thing I learned, don't wait too long to get it checked out. I drove around with the problem for about two weeks before getting it fixed, and my fuel consumption went through the roof during that time. Plus, you really don't want to risk damaging other parts of the engine. Let me know what the error codes show when you get them checked. I still have my paperwork from the repair if you need any specific part numbers or technical details.

Thanks so much for the detailed response! You've definitely put my mind at ease a bit. I'll get those error codes checked first thing tomorrow morning. Really glad I asked here, sounds like we're dealing with almost identical issues, and it's reassuring to know it might just be a wiring problem rather than something major with the injectors. I'll try to avoid driving it too much until I can get it looked at, especially since you mentioned the fuel consumption issue. Will definitely update once I get the codes read and find out what's going on. Really appreciate you sharing your experience and the heads up about not waiting too long, that could've saved me from some bigger problems down the line. Thanks again for all the help!