Compare BMW 3 Series loss of power repair quotes from specialist garages

Looming hundreds of feet up in Munich's skyline is BMW's headquarters, a vast and impressive building designed to look like four engine cylinders - the configuration that drove much of the brand's early success.

BMW has come a long way since 1927, when it produced its first car, the Dixi, shortly to be renamed the BMW 3/15. In 2022, it was awarded 'Best Manufacturer' at the AutoCar Britain's Best Car Awards, and the same year, it triumphed at the WhatCar? Awards, winning more accolades than any other brand. The M5 special edition, celebrating 20 years of BMW motorsport, is one of the rarest M automobiles in the world.

See how BMW's maintenance prices compare to Audi and Mercedes in this guide.

Few things are as frustrating for a driver as realising your car doesn't have as much power as it should. Small changes in performance matter and are most noticeable during acceleration. Your car may suddenly lose and then regain power or feel sluggish all the time; either way, it's clear there's something wrong.

A loss of power can often be traced back to a problem in the fuel system, such as a clogged fuel filter, faulty injectors or a malfunctioning MAF sensor. Running a cleaning additive through the system every so often can help prevent issues like these from developing. However, the fuel system isn't always to blame.

As discussed in this guide, an ECU error or a clogged catalytic converter can also make your car lose power - that's why you should take note of any other symptoms that could help pinpoint the cause. These may include unusual exhaust smoke (blue, white or black) and rough idling.