BMW X4's PTC Heater Malfunction Causing Cold Start Issues

I had a similar issue with my 2018 BMW X3 30i last winter. The PTC heater failure really caught me off guard during the cold season. My symptoms matched yours exactly, prolonged engine warm-up, rough cold starts, and increased fuel consumption. Took it to my trusted mechanic who diagnosed it as a faulty auxiliary heater module. The repair involved replacing the complete PTC heater assembly and reprogramming the control module. It was a serious job that took about 6 hours to complete. The symptoms you're describing are classic signs of PTC heater failure. It's not just about comfort, this issue can affect engine performance and efficiency. My advice would be to get it checked soon, as continued use with a faulty heater can potentially lead to other problems. After the fix, the difference was night and day, quick warm-ups, smooth cold starts, and fuel consumption went back to normal. Don't put this off for too long, especially if you're getting error codes.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I was worried about with my X4. It's good to know I'm not imagining things with these symptoms. Been driving me crazy lately. Mind if I ask how much the repair set you back? Also, has everything stayed working properly since the fix? Just trying to get an idea of what I'm looking at here.

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up since you asked about the costs and long-term results. The repair set me back 350 € for replacing the faulty electric auxiliary heater, and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since getting it fixed at my mechanic, everything's been working like a charm, it's been completely trouble-free. The car warms up quickly now, those annoying rough cold starts are gone, and my fuel consumption is back to where it should be. It's like having a different car! Looking back, I'm really glad I didn't wait too long to get it sorted. These BMW heating systems can be a bit finicky, but once they're properly fixed, they're solid. The repair has held up perfectly, and I haven't had a single issue with the PTC heater since then. Trust me, you won't regret getting it fixed. The improvement in how the car runs is dramatic, especially during those cold starts.

Thanks a lot for these detailed responses! After hearing about your experience, I decided to bite the bullet and get my X4 checked out. Turns out you were spot on, it was indeed the PTC heater. Took it to a mechanic who specializes in European cars. He was really thorough, showed me exactly what was wrong, and fixed it right up. Cost me a bit more than what you paid, around 400, but seeing how the car runs now, it was totally worth it. The whole repair took about 5 hours, but the difference is incredible. No more sluggish warm-ups, the engine runs smooth from the start, and my fuel consumption has dropped back to normal. The error code's gone too. Really appreciate everyone's input here, it helped me avoid a lot of potential headaches and get straight to the real issue. Sometimes it's just good to hear from someone who's been through the same thing!