BMW X4 Diesel: Glow Plug System Issues & Cold Start Woes

Hi there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW X3 Diesel last winter. I'm a DIY enthusiast with some basic experience working on cars. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty wiring connection to the glow plug control module. My local workshop found that one of the plugs had corroded, causing intermittent connection issues. The fix was pretty straightforward, they cleaned the contacts and replaced the damaged cable connector. Cost me around 95 Euro total. I'd love to help more, but could you share: How many miles/kilometers on your X4? Have you noticed any other warning lights? Does it happen more often when it's damp outside? These details would help determine if you're facing the same issue I had. BMW glow plug systems are pretty similar across models, so there's a good chance it's related.

Thanks for your detailed response! My X4 has 118232 KM on the clock, and I just had it serviced last month. About the additional symptoms, yes, it definitely gets worse in damp conditions. The check engine light is the only warning light I'm seeing consistently, though occasionally the EGR warning pops up too. The black smoke is what worries me most, especially since it's a relatively new car. Did you notice any improvement in fuel consumption after your repair? I've been burning through fuel like crazy lately, and I'm wondering if it's all connected to this glow plug issue. BTW, did you have any warranty coverage for your repair? Mine's still under warranty, but I'm not sure if this would be covered.

Hey again! Good to hear back from you. I totally get your concerns about the black smoke, I had the same worry with my X3. About the fuel consumption, yes, there was a massive improvement after the repair! I was burning through about 15-20% more diesel before fixing the issue. It makes sense because when the glow plugs aren't working properly, the engine compensates by using more fuel to maintain performance. In my case, I was just out of warranty (mine expired at 100,000 KM), which is why I had to pay out of pocket. But you're in luck! With 118,232 KM and being a 2022 model, you should definitely still be under warranty. These issues are typically covered under the powertrain warranty. BMW covered similar repairs for other owners I know. Quick tip though, the EGR warning you mentioned wasn't part of my experience. Might be worth getting that checked separately while it's in for the glow plug issue. Sometimes these things are connected, and it's better to sort everything out at once. One thing I learned from my experience, don't wait too long to get it fixed. The longer you drive with faulty glow plugs, the more strain you're putting on other components. The repair was relatively simple in my case, but I've heard horror stories of people waiting too long and ending up with more serious issues. Want me to share how I approached the warranty claim process with BMW? I helped a with his claim recently, so I'm pretty familiar with their procedures now.

I'll provide the final response Thanks so much for the thorough explanation! That's really reassuring to hear about the fuel consumption improvement after your repair. I've already called my BMW dealer and booked it in for next week, you're right about not wanting to risk any additional damage. I'd love to hear about the warranty claim process! I've never had to make one before, so any tips would be super helpful. I'll make sure to mention both the glow plug issue and the EGR warning when I take it in. Planning to document everything with photos and keep all the diagnostic reports too, just to be on the safe side. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's definitely helped calm my nerves about the whole situation. I'll update you once I get it sorted out. The fuel consumption thing alone will make it worth fixing ASAP!