BMW X6 Stalling: Fuel System Issues and Diagnosis Help

Hi there! I've got some experience with cars, not a pro mechanic but I've dealt with my fair share of issues. Had a similar problem with my 2008 BMW X5 last year. Same symptoms, check engine light, stalling at idle, and that nasty fuel smell. Turned out to be a faulty activated charcoal filter in the EVAP system. Took it to my trusted workshop and they replaced the filter, cost me around 275 Euro total, including labor. The X3 from the same year had similar issues too, from what I heard. What I'd suggest though, could you share your engine type and mileage? Would help me give you more specific advice. Also, have you had the diagnostic codes read? That would really confirm if we're dealing with the same issue here. The repair sorted everything out for me, no more stalling, smell disappeared, and the check engine light hasn't come back since. Let me know those details and I'll try to help further!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X6 has 130718 KM on the clock and just had its service last month. Those symptoms you described match exactly what I'm experiencing. Good to know about the activated charcoal filter fix, that's definitely something worth checking out. Haven't got the codes read yet but planning to do that tomorrow. Really appreciate the detailed info about the repair costs too, helps me know what to expect. Will update once I get those diagnostic codes!

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up and the extra info about your X6. Yep, those mileage numbers sound about right, that's actually pretty close to when my issues started showing up too (mine was around 125,000 KM). Since you mentioned you had a service last month, here's something interesting, I actually had my first symptoms shortly after a regular service too. Makes me wonder if there's some connection there, maybe something got disturbed during the service? In my case, the mechanic mentioned that these filters can sometimes get affected when other work is being done in that area. Quick tip before you get those codes read, make sure to keep track of when exactly the stalling happens. In my case, it was mostly when I was stopping at lights or in slow traffic. That info really helped pinpoint the issue. Also, does your fuel smell get stronger when you're parked on an incline? That was another telltale sign with mine. Let me know what those diagnostic codes show up, if it's anything like what I dealt with, it should point to the EVAP system. The fix was pretty straightforward once they knew exactly what they were dealing with. Keep us posted!

Thanks so much for the additional insights! Actually, yes, now that you mention it, the stalling is definitely worse in traffic and at lights, just like you described. And you're spot on about the incline thing too, I've noticed the smell gets much stronger when I'm parked on a slope. Never made that connection before! Really interesting point about the timing after the service, makes me wonder if something got knocked loose during the work. I've made notes of all these symptoms to share with the mechanic tomorrow. Will definitely get those codes read first thing and update the thread with what they find. Your experience has been super helpful, feels much better going to the workshop with some idea of what might be wrong rather than going in blind. Thanks again for all the detailed help!