BMW 2 Diesel: Cold Start and Performance Issues Alert

Hey there! I had very similar issues with my 2012 BMW 1 Series diesel last winter. The symptoms match exactly what I experienced, rough idle, hard starts, increased fuel consumption, and reduced power mode. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty fuel heater plug connection. The wiring had corroded and wasn't making proper contact. The warning light came on because the system wasn't getting the right signal from the component. My trusted mechanic diagnosed it quickly. It wasn't a major repair, mainly involved cleaning the connections and replacing some damaged wiring. The job took about 2 hours to complete. I wouldn't consider it a serious issue, but it definitely needs attention before it causes more problems with your fuel system. Based on your description and my experience, I'd say it's worth getting it checked soon. These symptoms shouldn't be ignored on diesel engines as they can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked. Hope this helps with your decision.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful since I'm dealing with exactly the same thing right now. Would you mind telling me how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also curious if you've had any other issues pop up since getting it fixed? Mine's still under the shop and I'm trying to figure out if I'm being quoted a fair price.

Hey again! Yeah, happy to share the details. I got it sorted last month and it cost me 95 € for fixing the faulty cable connection to the fuel filter heater. Pretty reasonable, if you ask me. The mechanic found that the plug connection was corroded and wasn't making proper contact, which was causing all those annoying symptoms. Since getting it fixed, my BMW's been running like a charm! No more rough starts in the morning, fuel consumption is back to normal, and that annoying warning light is finally gone. Haven't had a single issue pop up since the repair. Looking back, I was probably making things worse by putting it off for a while. If your quote is somewhere around what I paid, I'd say that's pretty fair for the work involved. These diesel engines really need proper maintenance to keep running smoothly. Let me know how it goes with your repair!

Thanks so much for all the info! I actually just got my car back from the shop yesterday. You were right, it was indeed the fuel heater connection causing all the trouble. Ended up paying a bit more than you (125 €) since they had to replace some additional wiring, but honestly, I'm just relieved it's fixed. Took it for a test drive this morning and what a difference! The engine's running smooth again, no more warning lights, and that annoying sluggish start is completely gone. Can't believe I spent so long worrying about going to a mechanic after my last bad experience. Should've done this weeks ago! Really appreciate everyone's help and advice here. Think I've found a reliable mechanic too, they explained everything clearly and didn't try to upsell me on unnecessary repairs. Definitely keeping their number for future reference! Thanks again for helping me sort this out!