BMW X3 Throttle Issues: Jerking and Poor Performance Fix

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2013 BMW X1 28i last winter. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced, jerky acceleration, delayed response, and terrible fuel economy. After taking it to my mechanic, it turned out to be a defective accelerator pedal module, not the throttle valve. The pedal sensor was sending incorrect signals to the ECU, causing all those driveability issues. The repair wasn't particularly complicated, but it was definitely something that needed immediate attention as it affects both safety and performance. My mechanic said that these modules commonly fail on BMWs from that era. They replaced the entire pedal assembly, and the car has been running perfectly since then, smooth acceleration, normal fuel consumption, and no more jerking. I'd recommend getting it checked soon since driving with these symptoms could potentially lead to more serious issues. While the throttle valve could be the culprit, based on my experience, I'd bet on the accelerator pedal module.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful as I'm experiencing the same problems with my X3. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the pedal assembly replacement? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise and if I should expect any related problems down the line.

Hey again! Yes, I can definitely help with those details. I got it fixed a couple weeks ago and paid 205€ for the complete repair, including the pedal assembly replacement. I'd say it was worth every penny because my X1 is running like a dream now! The sluggish response and jerking are completely gone, and my fuel consumption is back to normal. Just to clear things up, originally I thought it was the throttle valve too, but my mechanic found it was actually the defective accelerator pedal module causing all the trouble. Since the repair, I haven't had a single issue pop up. The acceleration is smooth as silk, starts up perfectly every time, and honestly, it feels like driving a new car again. From what my mechanic told me, once you replace the pedal assembly, you shouldn't expect any related problems. These modules are pretty reliable once replaced, and the new ones are actually built better than the originals. I can't believe I waited so long to get it fixed, should've done it sooner!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! I actually bit the bullet and took my X3 to a mechanic yesterday. You were spot on, it was the accelerator pedal module! Had it replaced and the difference is like night and day. The repair cost me a bit more, around 300 bucks, but totally worth it. Funny story, when I got to the mechanic's shop, my car decided to act up even worse than usual. Could barely get it into the parking spot! The mechanic got a good laugh and said he didn't even need to test drive it to spot the issue. They had it fixed within a couple of hours. The car's running beautifully now, no more jerking, starts up perfectly, and I'm already noticing better fuel economy. Really appreciate your help in pointing me in the right direction. You saved me from spending money on unnecessary throttle valve repairs! Guess sometimes the simplest solution is the right one.