BMW 7 MAF Sensor Symptoms: Stalling and Failed Emissions

I had nearly identical issues with my 2017 BMW 5 series last year. The symptoms matched yours exactly, poor acceleration, rough idle, high fuel consumption, and that annoying check engine light. The MAF sensor was completely clogged with dirt and debris when the mechanic checked it. Turns out the engine had been running rich for months because of incorrect air-fuel measurements. My mechanic mentioned this is actually quite serious since prolonged bad readings can damage other engine components. In my case, they first tried cleaning the sensor, but it was too far gone and needed replacement. The whole job took about an hour. After fixing it, the difference was like night and day, smooth acceleration, stable idle, and normal fuel consumption returned. If you're seeing these symptoms, don't wait too long. A faulty MAF sensor can lead to bigger engine problems if left unchecked. I'd suggest finding a reputable BMW specialist rather than a general mechanic for this kind of work.

Thanks for sharing your experience, that sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with right now! The cleaning vs replacement info is particularly helpful. Would you mind sharing roughly how much you ended up paying for the fix? Also curious if you've had any related issues pop up since getting it sorted out last year?

Hey there, happy to help with those details! Since you asked, I paid 365 € for the new MAF sensor and installation. I know it might sound a bit steep, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The mechanic identified the Mass air flow meter was completely shot and needed full replacement rather than just cleaning. I'm actually really glad you asked about any follow-up issues, there haven't been any! Since getting it fixed, my BMW's been running like a dream. The fuel economy is back to normal, no more stalling, and that annoying hesitation during acceleration is completely gone. The engine light hasn't come back either, which is always a good sign. Tell you what, getting it sorted properly by a BMW specialist was definitely the right call. They knew exactly what they were dealing with and had the right diagnostic tools. If you're still on the fence about getting yours checked out, I'd say just go for it. The peace of mind alone is worth it, not to mention avoiding any potential bigger problems down the road. Trust me, you'll notice the difference right away!

Thanks a lot! You've honestly made me feel much better about getting this fixed. I bit the bullet and took it to a specialist mechanic yesterday. You were spot on, it was definitely the MAF sensor causing all the trouble. They actually had it diagnosed within minutes using their fancy diagnostic tools. Ended up paying about the same as you did for the replacement. The mechanic was super professional and even showed me the old sensor, it was completely gunked up! Got the car back today and wow, what a difference! The engine's purring like it's supposed to, no more jerky acceleration, and that annoying check engine light is finally off. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me make the right call instead of putting it off longer. Best money I've spent on the car in a while. Now I just need to find a good car wash to keep this beauty clean and hopefully prevent the new sensor from getting dirty too quickly!