M3 Valve Train Ticking Signals Major Timing Troubles

I had very similar issues with my 2010 BMW M5 last year. The symptoms were identical, rough running, power loss, and that distinct ticking noise. My check engine light was throwing crankshaft position sensor codes. Initially thought it was timing related too, but turned out the crankshaft position sensor was failing. These sensors are crucial for engine timing and fuel management. When they start failing, the engine computer gets confused about piston positions, leading to all those symptoms you're describing. The repair itself wasn't too complex, sensor replacement and clearing the codes. However, this was definitely a serious issue that needed immediate attention. Running with a faulty crank sensor can potentially cause engine damage if left unchecked. If you're getting multiple sensor errors, I'd suggest getting it checked soon. The timing issue suspicion makes sense, but start with the basics like sensor diagnostics before assuming the worst. These symptoms almost exactly mirror what I experienced before the fix.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the M5! It definitely sounds like we had similar problems. My mechanic has already ordered the crankshaft sensor, and I'm hoping that'll sort it out. Just curious, 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 popping up? It would be really helpful to know what to expect.

Hey there! Yeah, glad I could help with my M5 story. Since you asked about the costs, I paid 340 € for the full repair, which included the new crankshaft sensor and labor. The best part? Everything's been running like a dream since then! The mechanic also found and fixed the Crankshaft to camshaft reference value that was causing problems, and honestly, it's made a huge difference. The engine's running super smooth now, no more power loss, weird noises, or excessive fuel consumption. Just to put your mind at ease, once they fixed that sensor and sorted the reference value, all those warning lights and error codes disappeared completely. The car feels even better than before the issues started. It's been about a year now, and I haven't had a single problem pop up related to this. Trust me, you're on the right track with getting that sensor replaced. It's worth every penny to get it sorted properly.

Thanks for the detailed response! I actually just got back from the mechanic today with my M3, and I've got quite a story to share. The whole experience turned out surprisingly different from my previous visit. I found a new mechanic who really knew his stuff. The sensor replacement was right on point, just like your case, though my total came to a bit more since they found a few worn-out connectors that needed replacing too. But hey, better safe than sorry, right? The funny part was watching this mechanic work. He actually showed me the old sensor and explained everything he was doing. When he first started the car after the fix, you should've seen my face, that horrible ticking noise was completely gone! The engine's purring now, and I'm getting my power back. No more check engine lights, and the fuel consumption is back to normal. Looks like we had pretty much identical issues. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it helped me push for getting this fixed sooner rather than later. Seems like I've finally found a mechanic I can trust!