BMW X5 Diesel: Glow Plug Troubles and Black Smoke Issues

I had almost identical issues with my 2006 BMW X3 3.0d. The symptoms you're describing are spot on to what I experienced last month. After a thorough diagnosis at the garage, turned out two glow plugs were completely dead and the control module had corroded connection pins. The technician found that moisture had gotten into the wiring harness, causing the connection issues. The fix required replacing the faulty glow plugs and the entire control module. They also had to repair some damaged wiring. It was quite a serious issue since bad glow plugs can lead to starting problems and engine damage if left unchecked. The repair made a huge difference, no more black smoke, engine starts smoothly even in cold weather, and performance is back to normal. If your symptoms match mine this closely, I'd recommend getting it checked soon to prevent any potential engine damage. Just make sure you find a BMW specialist who knows these diesel systems well. Hope this helps.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience with the glow plug issue! Really helpful to know I'm not alone with this problem. I was wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair job? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Would really appreciate any extra details you can share, as I'm trying to budget for this repair and want to make sure I get it sorted properly this time.

Hey there! Happy to update you on my X3 situation. Just got back from my mechanic last week actually, turns out I was lucky compared to your case. The main issue was just a faulty glow control unit connection. They found a damaged cable and plug that needed fixing, which was causing all those symptoms we discussed. Total bill came to 95 € for the repair work, way less than I expected! Since the fix, my car's running like a dream. No more black smoke, cold starts are perfect, and that annoying glow plug light has finally gone off. Engine's got its pep back too. Honestly, such a relief it wasn't anything more serious like I initially feared. I really lucked out with just needing the connection fixed rather than having to replace the whole control unit or multiple glow plugs. If you're still having issues, definitely get it checked, might not be as expensive as you're worried about if it's just a connection problem like mine was. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Thanks for the update about your repair! I actually just got back from the mechanic myself and wanted to share what happened. My issue turned out to be more complex than yours, had to replace three glow plugs and the entire control module. The bill was pretty hefty, around 400 for parts and labor, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The difference in how my car runs now is like night and day. No more black smoke pouring out the back, and those frustrating cold morning starts are history. The engine's got its power back, and that annoying glow plug light has finally gone dark. Best part? Just retested the emissions and passed with flying colors. Really glad I didn't put this repair off any longer. Looking back, I should've tackled this issue months ago instead of trying to save money with that sketchy mechanic. At least now I know I've got a reliable fix, and the car's running better than it has in ages. Thanks again for all your help and advice, really helped me understand what I was dealing with!