BMW X3 Diesel Glow Plug Warning Signs and Fixes

I had similar issues with my 2008 BMW X5 3.0d last winter. From my experience, your symptoms are classic glow plug system problems. When I took mine to the garage, they found two faulty glow plugs and a damaged wiring harness connection to the glow plug control module. The smoke during acceleration and poor performance are definitely red flags. The technician showed me how the corroded connection was causing intermittent electrical issues, which explained the constant preheat light. This isn't a minor problem, running a diesel engine with faulty glow plugs can lead to starting issues and potential engine damage over time. It took about a day to fix at the garage. They replaced all glow plugs (it's best to do them all at once), fixed the wiring, and reset the control module. After the repair, the engine started perfectly, even in cold weather, and the performance returned to normal. This is definitely something you'll want to get checked out by a qualified BMW technician. The symptoms you're describing are too similar to ignore.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience with the X5. My symptoms sound exactly like what you went through. Really helpful to know it worked out well after the fix. Would you mind sharing how much the whole repair set you back? Also curious if you've had any similar issues pop up since the repair? Trying to get an idea of what I'm in for cost-wise and if it's a lasting solution.

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up about my X5 repair costs. I actually got lucky, it turned out to be simpler than initially expected. The main culprit was just a faulty connection in the glow control unit, which they fixed for 95 €. Much cheaper than I thought it would be! Since getting that sorted, my X5's been running like a charm, no more cold start issues or smoke problems. The repair job has definitely held up well, and I'm really glad I got it done when I did. The preheat light hasn't come back on once, and the engine fires up perfectly now, even on those chilly mornings. I was actually preparing myself for a much bigger bill, thinking they'd need to replace the whole glow plug set like they initially suspected. But sometimes you get lucky, right? If your issue is similar to what mine was, you might be looking at a relatively straightforward fix too. Though just keep in mind that every case can be different, mine turned out to be just that cable connection issue, but it's always worth getting it checked out properly.

Just wanted to update you all on what happened with my X3. Finally got around to taking it to a new mechanic, and boy, am I glad I did! My issue turned out to be a bit more complex than yours. Had to replace three glow plugs and the entire control module. Cost me quite a bit more than expected, around 450€ for the whole job. The mechanic I found was actually great, really took the time to explain everything and even showed me the old parts. He mentioned I caught it just in time before it could cause more serious engine damage. Been about two weeks now since the repair, and what a difference! No more white smoke, engine starts right up even on cold mornings, and the performance is back to normal. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me understand what I was dealing with and gave me the push I needed to get it sorted. Definitely worth every penny for the peace of mind!