BMW X1 Cold Start Issues: Rough Idle and Fuel Problems

Hey there! I've got some experience with cars, and I actually dealt with something really similar on my 2007 BMW X3. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I went through. Mine turned out to be a faulty fuel injector, and getting it sorted made a huge difference. I took it to my regular workshop, and they did a complete diagnostic test which confirmed the injector was acting up. Had to replace it completely, set me back about 515 Euro, but it was worth every penny. The car runs smooth as silk now, no more rough idling or hard starts. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you tell me if you're getting any warning lights on the dash? Also, have you noticed any unusual exhaust smoke or strange noises when starting? This would help confirm if we're dealing with the same issue. Since we're talking about similar BMWs, I've got a pretty good idea of what you might be dealing with, but these extra details would help nail it down. Let me know!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X1 just hit 122,368 KM and had its last service two months ago. I haven't noticed any warning lights on the dash, but there's definitely some greyish smoke during cold starts. It clears up after the engine warms up though. No unusual noises that I can detect, just that annoying rough idle and the hard starts. Based on what you're saying about your X3, it does sound pretty similar to what I'm experiencing. Did you notice any smoke before changing your injector? Also, 515 Euro sounds reasonable if it fixes the problem completely. I'd rather sort it out now before it gets worse. Going to book it in for a diagnostic test this week. Really appreciate your input!

Hey again! Yeah, your symptoms are ringing even more bells now! My X3 actually had that exact same greyish smoke during cold starts before I got the injector replaced. It's like déjà vu hearing you describe it, definitely had that same pattern where it would clear up once the engine warmed up. My car was around 135,000 KM when I started having these issues, so we're in the same ballpark mileage-wise. The smoke was actually what convinced me to get it checked out in the first place. Think of it as your car trying to tell you something's not quite right with the fuel delivery system. Getting that diagnostic test is absolutely the right move. When I had mine done, they hooked it up to the computer and could actually see the injector wasn't spraying properly during cold starts. The 515 Euro I spent included both parts and labor, and honestly, it was worth it just to stop worrying every time I started the car on a cold morning. The good news is that since you're catching it early like I did, you're probably preventing any additional damage to other components. Keep me posted on what the diagnostic reveals, I'm curious to see if it's the same issue I had. Good luck!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It's super reassuring to hear that you had such similar symptoms with your X3, and that fixing the injector sorted everything out. I've booked a diagnostic test for tomorrow morning, actually, managed to get a cancellation slot. The fact that you had the same greyish smoke issue and similar mileage makes me pretty confident we're dealing with the same problem. I feel much better knowing it's likely just the injector and not something more serious. 515 Euro is definitely manageable, especially if it means getting my car back to running smoothly. I'll definitely update you once I get the results from the diagnostic test. Thanks again for all your help, it's been really valuable having someone who's been through the same thing! Will let you know how it goes. Take care!