BMW 1 Series Fuel Smell and Engine Stalling Issue

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2018 BMW 2 Series last winter. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, fuel odors, check engine light, and stalling at idle. Got it diagnosed and it turned out to be a defective activated charcoal filter (part of the EVAP system). Took it to my garage and they confirmed the charcoal filter was completely clogged, which was causing the fuel vapors to build up instead of being properly filtered. They replaced the filter and purge valve while they were at it. Not a super serious issue if fixed promptly, but definitely shouldn't be ignored as it affects emissions and can cause poor engine performance. The fix was straightforward and didn't take too long. Been running perfectly since then, no more stalling or fuel smells. Given your symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked soon before it potentially causes other issues. If you're not comfortable with your current mechanic, finding one who specializes in BMW would be worth it. They'll know exactly what to look for with these symptoms.

Thanks! That's really helpful to know it was the charcoal filter in your case. Mine sounds super similar. Running good now, yeah? Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has anything else popped up since they fixed it?

Hey again! Yes absolutely running like a dream now! Since I had the activated charcoal filter replaced, all those annoying issues completely disappeared, no more fuel smells, no stalling, and the check engine light hasn't come back on. Just had to fork out 275 € for the full repair, which included the new filter and labor. Honestly, it was worth every penny. Haven't had a single problem since then, the car's performing perfectly. Looking back, I'm really glad I got it sorted quickly. These newer BMWs are pretty solid once you address these small issues before they turn into bigger headaches. Trust me, if your symptoms are similar to what I had, getting that charcoal filter checked and replaced will likely solve your problems too. Let me know how it goes if you get it fixed!

Thanks everyone for your help! Just wanted to update you all on what happened. Finally got the courage to try a new mechanic, a BMW specialist someone recommended. Took my car in yesterday, and guess what? You were spot on! It was indeed the charcoal filter causing all the trouble. The mechanic showed me the old filter and it was completely clogged up. They replaced it along with a few connecting parts, and the whole thing cost me about 300 bucks. Bit steep, but the car's running like new now. No more fuel smells, no stalling, and that annoying check engine light is finally off! Actually really happy with the new mechanic too. They explained everything clearly and even showed me the damaged parts. Such a different experience from my last garage. Think I've found my new go-to place for servicing. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Would've probably spent ages worrying about it if you hadn't shared your similar experience!