BMW X5 Misfiring? Bad Camshaft Sensor May Be The Culprit

Hey there! I had pretty similar issues with my 2016 BMW X3 last year. I've got some experience working on cars, but nothing too advanced. When my X3 started acting up with those exact symptoms, I first tried cleaning the sensor myself, but that didn't help. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed a faulty wire connection to the camshaft sensor, the connector was corroded and making poor contact. They replaced the wiring harness and connector assembly, cost me about 95 Euro. Car's been running perfectly since then. Much cheaper than replacing the entire sensor unit! Before I can give more specific advice, could you tell us if you've had any other symptoms? Also, what error codes is your X5 showing? That would help narrow things down.

Thanks for your input! My X5 has been really well maintained (last service was just 3 months ago) and I'm at 107217 KM. Just to add to what I mentioned, I'm getting P0340 and P0344 error codes. The engine light started flashing yesterday during my drive home. No other weird symptoms besides what I described, though the idle seems a bit rougher than usual. I was actually thinking about trying to clean the sensor first like you did, but after hearing about your experience, maybe I should just take it straight to the workshop and have them check the wiring. Really hoping it's just a connection issue like yours was. Better safe than sorry with these things, right?

Hey again! Thanks for those additional details about your X5. When you mentioned those specific error codes (P0340 and P0344), it immediately caught my attention because they're exactly what I saw on my X3. I've gotta say though, really smart move planning to take it straight to the workshop instead of trying to clean it yourself like I did. Honestly, I wasted time trying to fix it myself! The flashing engine light and rough idle you're describing are super similar to what I experienced. Trust me, with these symptoms and those specific codes, it's definitely electrical-related. In my case, even though the car was well-maintained like yours, those pesky wire connections still managed to corrode. Quick heads up though, while my repair was relatively cheap, prices can vary depending on what they find. Could be the wiring like mine, or might be the actual sensor. Either way, with BMW's sensor systems, it's worth getting it checked by pros who have the right diagnostic tools. Oh, and make sure they check all the sensor's connections thoroughly. After my experience, I learned these issues can sometimes come back if they only fix part of the wiring problem. Better to get it all sorted in one go! Keep us posted on what the workshop finds, really curious to know if it's the same issue I had!

Thanks so much for all the detailed advice! You've definitely convinced me to skip the DIY attempts and go straight to the pros. Just booked an appointment with my regular BMW workshop for tomorrow morning. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it's so helpful to hear from someone who's dealt with the exact same error codes. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty relieved now. Was worried it might be something major, but hearing that your fix was relatively straightforward gives me hope. You're absolutely right about getting it all checked properly, I'll make sure to ask them to inspect all the wiring and connections thoroughly. Will definitely update you guys once I get the diagnosis and repair done. Thanks again for taking the time to help out, this is exactly why I love car communities! Fingers crossed it's just a wiring issue like yours was.