BMW 2 Series Diesel: Rough Running and Limp Mode Issues

Hey there! I've got some experience working on BMWs, not an expert but I've dealt with my share of issues. Had almost identical symptoms on my 2018 BMW 3 Series diesel last year. Initially thought it was just a sensor thing, but after taking it to my trusted workshop, they diagnosed a faulty encoder wheel on the camshafts. Total repair came to 695 Euro, not cheap, but it solved all those problems you're describing. Your symptoms sound very familiar, the rough starts, limp mode, and stalling were exactly what I experienced. X5s and 2 Series often share similar components in their engine management systems. Before giving any specific advice, could you share: Your exact engine code? Any specific error codes from the diagnostics? When did these symptoms first appear? This would help me give you more targeted advice based on my experience.

Thanks for the detailed reply! I appreciate you sharing your experience. My car just rolled over 159706 KM and had its last service about 3 months ago. Those symptoms you described with your 3 Series sound spot on to what I'm experiencing. The issues started about 2 weeks ago, gradually getting worse. I haven't pulled any error codes yet because I wanted to gather some info first, but I'll definitely get that checked. The encoder wheel diagnosis is really helpful, I'll make sure to mention that when I take it in. Honestly, I'm just hoping it won't be anything more serious. Going to schedule a diagnostic check tomorrow and see what they say. Did your car also have issues with jerky acceleration before you got it fixed?

Yeah, I totally get what you're going through! And to answer your question, yes, my 3 Series had really bad jerky acceleration before the fix. It was especially noticeable when trying to speed up on highways, super annoying and honestly a bit scary at times. The jerking was actually one of the main things that got worse over time. Started as just a slight hesitation but ended up feeling like the car was kind of bucking during acceleration. Reminded me of learning to drive stick shift, even though it's an automatic! After they replaced the encoder wheel, it was like driving a completely different car, smooth as butter. Just make sure you get a proper diagnosis because these symptoms can sometimes point to other issues too. In my case, they initially thought it might just be a sensor, but the encoder wheel was the actual culprit. One tip, when you take it in, ask them to check the wiring around the camshaft area too. My mechanic found some slight wear on the wires while doing the repair, which could have caused problems down the line if not caught early. Keep us posted on what they find. Always interested to hear how these things turn out, especially since our cars are pretty similar!

Thanks so much for the extra details and that tip about checking the wiring, that's super helpful! It's actually a relief to hear your car had the exact same jerking issue, makes me feel better knowing it's probably something fixable and not a major engine problem. I'll definitely get those wires checked when I take it in. Honestly, if it ends up being the encoder wheel like yours, I'll be pretty happy, not thrilled about the cost, but at least it's a known issue with a clear fix. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it's helped me feel more confident about what to expect and what to ask the mechanic. I'll make a note to update this thread once I get it diagnosed and fixed. These kinds of discussions are so valuable for other BMW owners who might run into the same problems. Thanks again for taking the time to help me out!