BMW X5 Rough Running: Camshaft Sensor Warning Signs

I had almost identical issues with my 2019 BMW X3 last summer. The symptoms were spot on, rough idle, jerky acceleration, and starting problems. Turned out the encoder wheel on both intake and exhaust camshafts was defective, which affected the sensor readings. The repair involved replacing both camshaft position sensors and the encoder wheels. It was quite a serious job since they had to remove several components to access the camshafts. My car was in the shop for three days. The issue affected engine timing and could have led to more severe engine damage if left unattended. In my case, the diagnostic code reader showed P0340 and P0344 errors. Given your symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked soon. These issues don't fix themselves and typically get worse over time. For what it's worth, I've stuck with BMW specialists ever since. Regular mechanics often miss the subtleties of these engines.

Thanks for sharing your experience, it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with! I'm definitely going to get those sensors and encoder wheels checked out. Would you mind telling me how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also curious if you've had any related issues pop up since getting it fixed? Really appreciate the help!

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up about the repair costs and aftermath. I paid 695 € to fix the encoder wheel on the camshafts, and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since getting it sorted, my X3 has been running like a dream, no more of those annoying starting problems or jerky acceleration issues I mentioned before. The camshaft sensor that was giving me trouble is completely fixed now, and I haven't had a single related problem pop up since. It's been super reliable, just like it should be. The engine runs smooth as silk, and that frustrating rough idle is totally gone. I know it wasn't cheap, but considering what could've happened if I'd left it unfixed, I'm actually pretty happy with how it all turned out. My advice would be to get it sorted sooner rather than later, it'll save you from bigger headaches down the road. Plus, having a properly running BMW is just so much more enjoyable!

Just wanted to update everyone, I bit the bullet and got my X5 fixed! Took it to a BMW specialist who diagnosed the exact same issue. The whole repair, including parts and labor, came to around 750€. A bit more than I wanted to spend, but what a difference! Had a bit of drama getting there though. The car actually stalled on me twice on the way to the shop, talk about nerve-wracking! The mechanic was great and showed me the worn-out encoder wheel. He explained how it was affecting the sensor readings and engine timing. Really made me feel better about spending the money. They had the car for two days, but it was worth the wait. It's running perfectly now, no more rough starts, no jerking, and the check engine light is finally off. Feels like I'm driving a new car again! Thanks everyone for the advice, especially about going to a specialist. You guys saved me from what could've been a much bigger problem down the line!