BMW X3 Misfire Mystery: Camshaft Sensor or Something Else?

Hey there! I can relate to this. Had similar issues with my 2020 BMW X5 last summer. Started with rough idles and power drops, especially during acceleration. Initially thought it was something major, but turned out to be just corroded wiring connections to the camshaft position sensor. The sensor itself was fine, the plug connection had degraded over time and was sending irregular signals to the ECU. The mechanic cleaned the connections, replaced the wiring harness for that section, and properly sealed it. Not a serious repair at all, took about 2 hours. But if left unchecked, it could've led to bigger problems with the timing and fuel delivery. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced. Would suggest getting it checked soon though, these sensors are crucial for proper engine timing. Make sure whoever works on it uses OEM parts if replacement is needed. My car's been running smooth since the fix, no issues in the past 20k km.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful as your symptoms sound exactly like what I'm dealing with. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks? I'm trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise and whether this fix usually holds up long-term. My BMW X3 is my daily driver, so I want to make sure I get it sorted properly the first time around.

Hey again! Yeah, happy to update you on that. Just got my X5 back from the shop last week actually. The total bill came to 95 € for fixing the cable/plug connection, way less than I'd initially feared! The mechanic found the camshaft sensor itself was acting up due to a faulty connection, just like they suspected. I'm really pleased to say everything's working perfectly now. The engine starts smoothly, no more power loss during acceleration, and that annoying misfire is completely gone. It's been about a week of daily driving, and it feels like I've got a new car! Trust me, for the peace of mind alone, it's worth getting it sorted. These BMWs are solid machines when everything's working right. The repair should definitely hold up long-term as long as it's done properly with quality parts. My mechanic mentioned these issues are pretty common and straightforward to fix once they're properly diagnosed. Let me know how you get on with yours, always interested to hear how these repairs work out for others!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! Just wanted to update you on my situation. I actually bit the bullet and took my X3 to a new mechanic yesterday. Turns out you were spot on, it was definitely the wiring connection causing all the trouble. The repair was quick and surprisingly affordable at just under 100 bucks. My experience at the shop was way better than I expected. The mechanic walked me through everything they found and fixed. They cleaned up the corroded connections and replaced a small section of wiring. Took the car for a test drive this morning and what a difference! No more rough starts, the engine's running smooth as silk, and that annoying power loss is completely gone. Really glad I didn't put this off any longer. The whole thing was much less painful than I'd worried it would be, both for my car and my wallet! Thanks again for helping me understand what I was dealing with. Sometimes it just takes hearing from someone who's been through it to give you that push to get things sorted.