BMW X3 Camshaft Symptoms: Real Owner's Experience

I had nearly identical issues with my 2012 BMW X1 last winter. The symptoms were exactly as you describe, rough idle, stalling, and really inconsistent acceleration. Turned out the encoder wheel on both intake and exhaust camshafts was defective, not just the sensors themselves. Had it fixed at a certified BMW garage. They replaced both encoder wheels and the related sensors. It wasn't a quick fix since they had to remove quite a bit to access everything properly. Your symptoms sound spot-on with what I experienced. It's definitely a serious issue that needs addressing soon, I learned that ignoring it can lead to bigger engine problems down the line. The camshaft position sensor helps control engine timing, so when it's faulty, your engine isn't running efficiently and could get damaged. My advice: get it checked at a shop that specializes in BMWs. This isn't something for a general mechanic as it requires specific diagnostic tools and expertise with BMW engines.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's super helpful and matches what I'm seeing with my X3. I've been worried about potential engine damage, so I'll definitely get it looked at ASAP by a BMW specialist. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Hey again! Glad I could help! Just wanted to update you, I actually got this fixed last month and it cost me 695 € total for the encoder wheel replacement on the camshafts. The BMW specialist did a great job, and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since the repair, my X1 has been running like a dream, no more stalling, rough starts, or jerky acceleration. It's amazing what a difference fixing that encoder wheel made! The engine runs super smooth now, and I haven't had a single issue pop up since. Trust me, getting it fixed by a proper BMW specialist was the right call. They knew exactly what they were dealing with and had all the right tools for the job. Plus, they were able to diagnose and fix it pretty quickly once they got into it. Hope this helps with your decision making! Let us know how it goes with your X3 when you get it sorted.

Just wanted to follow up, I took your advice and got it fixed! Found a BMW specialist mechanic who diagnosed it right away. Funny enough, it wasn't just the encoder wheel, they found the wiring harness was also damaged, which was causing those weird symptoms. The total bill came to around 800 with parts and labor, a bit more than expected but worth every penny. The mechanic showed me the old parts and explained everything clearly. What really impressed me was how they took the time to test drive it with me after the repair. Car's running absolutely perfect now, no more stalling or rough starts. It's like driving a completely different vehicle! Thanks again for pushing me to get it checked by a specialist. You probably saved me from some serious engine problems down the road. Really appreciate all the help and advice!