BMW X3 Valvetronic Issues: Rough Idle & Poor Performance

Hey there! I actually went through something very similar with my 2011 BMW 535i last month. Had the exact same symptoms, rough idle, jerky acceleration, and that annoying check engine light. Turned out to be a faulty Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft sensor. The mechanism wasn't adjusting valve lift properly, which explained all those symptoms. It was a serious issue that needed immediate attention to prevent further engine damage. The repair involved replacing the Valvetronic motor, sensor, and running a complete system calibration. The whole thing took about two days at the shop. Since the fix, my car's been running smooth as new, no more jerking, idle is perfect, and fuel economy is back to normal. Make sure whoever works on it has specific BMW Valvetronic experience and proper diagnostic equipment. This isn't something you want a general mechanic experimenting with.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! I had similar issues with my X3 too. Really good to know you got it sorted with the Valvetronic motor and sensor replacement. Do you remember roughly how much the entire repair set you back? Also, curious if you've had any other problems pop up since the fix? Been thinking about getting mine checked soon, just trying to figure out what I'm in for.

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up about the costs since you asked. I got my Valvetronic issue sorted and it ended up costing me 575 € for the complete fix. That covered the repair of the defective mechanism and getting everything properly calibrated. I'm really happy to report that since seeing the mechanic, my BMW has been running like a dream! No more of those annoying issues I mentioned before, the rough idle and jerky acceleration are completely gone. Fuel consumption is back to normal too. It's been several weeks now, and I haven't had a single problem pop up. Honestly, while the repair wasn't cheap, it was totally worth it to get my car running properly again. My advice would be to get yours checked out sooner rather than later, these Valvetronic issues can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked. Just make sure you find someone who really knows their way around BMW systems. Let me know if you need any other details about the repair. Always happy to help a fellow BMW owner!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I actually bit the bullet and took my X3 to a BMW specialist last week. You were spot on about the Valvetronic motor, that's exactly what was causing my problems. The repair cost was a bit higher than yours at 650 €, but they also found and fixed a minor vacuum leak while they were at it. The whole process took about three days because they had to order some parts, but wow, what a difference! My car's running incredibly smooth now, and that annoying jerking is completely gone. Fuel consumption has dropped back to normal too, which is a huge relief. Really glad I didn't wait any longer to get it fixed. The mechanic showed me the worn-out parts and explained everything clearly. Definitely keeping this shop for future maintenance, they really knew their stuff and didn't try to upsell me on unnecessary repairs. Thanks again for pushing me to get it checked out. It's such a relief to have this sorted!