BMW X5 Diesel Performance Drop: CEL & Cold Start Drama

I feel your concern. I had similar symptoms with my 2016 BMW X3 30d last year. Started with rough idles and poor performance, then the CEL came on. Turned out the initial problem was a faulty fuel injector, but because it wasn't caught early, it led to carbon buildup in one cylinder. The uneven combustion eventually damaged the cylinder wall. What started as a simple injector replacement turned into a much bigger job requiring partial engine rebuild. Had to stay off the road for nearly two weeks. It was definitely one of those serious repairs that you don't want to delay. Based on the symptoms you're describing, I'd strongly suggest getting a proper diagnostic test done. With diesel engines, cylinder pressure issues often stem from fuel delivery problems. Don't make my mistake of hoping it'll sort itself out, these problems tend to cascade. Go ahead and get that second opinion. When dealing with diesel engine issues, it's better to catch them early before they cause more damage.

Hey Dave! Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. You're right, this definitely sounds similar to what I'm dealing with. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for that whole ordeal? And has everything been running smoothly since the repair?

Great to hear from you again! I can share some good news, after that whole repair saga I mentioned, everything has been running like a dream. The cylinder pressure issues were completely resolved and my X3 is performing better than ever. The best part? The repair didn't cost me anything in the end. Turned out the fuel injector failure was actually a consequential damage from a previous repair that was still under warranty. The shop took responsibility and covered all the costs, including the partial engine rebuild. Talk about catching a lucky break! The engine's been purring like a kitten since then, no more rough starts, fuel economy is back to normal, and power delivery is spot on. Really glad I got it sorted when I did, even though I was pretty worried at first. Definitely get that second opinion you're thinking about. These issues can be tricky, but catching them early makes all the difference.

Hey Dave! You won't believe what happened! I took your advice and got that second opinion. I just got back from the mechanic today, and boy am I glad I didn't wait longer. Turns out it was exactly what you mentioned, faulty injectors causing carbon buildup. I found this really skilled diesel specialist who spotted the issue right away. The repair set me back about €2,300, which honestly isn't as bad as I feared. They replaced two injectors and did a thorough carbon cleaning. The car's running amazingly now, starts up smoothly, and that sluggish feeling is completely gone. Fuel economy has improved dramatically too. Can't thank you enough for sharing your story. It really pushed me to get it checked out before things got worse. The mechanic mentioned I probably saved myself thousands by catching it early. Thanks again for the solid advice!