BMW X3 Timing Issue? Check These Symptoms & Solutions

Hey there! I have some experience working on BMWs and had a similar issue with my 2008 BMW X5 last year. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I encountered, engine light, sluggish performance, and that annoying ticking noise. Turned out the crankshaft position sensor was failing. My mechanic replaced it, and it fixed all those issues. Cost me around 340 Euro for parts and labor. The repair was pretty straightforward and took about 2 hours. I'd also owned a BMW 3 Series before, so I'm quite familiar with these problems. Would you mind sharing your mileage and whether you've had any other recent repairs done? Also, are there any other warning lights besides the check engine light? This info would help narrow down if we're dealing with the same issue. Just make sure you get it checked soon, driving with a faulty crankshaft sensor can lead to bigger problems down the road.

Thanks for the detailed response! My X3 is at 171852 KM and had its last service about 3 weeks ago, just regular oil change and maintenance stuff. No other warning lights besides the check engine light. That price doesn't sound too bad actually, I was worried it might be something more serious like the timing chain. I'll definitely get it checked out asap and ask the mechanic to look at the crankshaft sensor first. Really hope it's just that! These older BMWs can be tricky sometimes but I still love mine.

Hey again! Glad to hear back from you. Yeah, after seeing your mileage, it's even more likely we're dealing with the same issue. My X5 had almost identical mileage when my sensor went bad. You know what's funny? I was also worried about the timing chain at first, but the crankshaft sensor is actually a pretty common failure point on these engines. When my mechanic diagnosed it, he mentioned he sees this issue quite often on BMWs around the 160-180K mark. After I got mine fixed, it was like having a different car, all that sluggishness disappeared, and the fuel economy went back to normal. The annoying ticking noise went away too. Just make sure they use a genuine BMW part or at least a high-quality aftermarket one. I learned that lesson the hard way when I tried saving money on my old 3 Series with a cheap sensor that died after six months. Keep us posted on what your mechanic finds! These older BMWs can be quirky, but they're worth the hassle when they're running right. I've had mine for three years now and wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Thanks so much for all that info! Hearing about your experience with the same issue on your X5 makes me feel a lot better. I've already called my mechanic and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow morning. They're pretty familiar with BMWs, so I'll definitely mention the crankshaft sensor and make sure they use a quality part if that turns out to be the problem. I totally agree about these older BMWs being worth the occasional headache. My X3 has been such a reliable car overall, and I'm hoping this is just a minor problem. I'll keep you updated once I get the diagnosis. 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. Fingers crossed it's just the sensor and nothing more serious!