P0308 on BMW
Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected
P0308 on BMW vehicles indicates cylinder 8 misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 2 BMW models — most commonly on 7 Series, M5. P0308 means the engine computer detected a misfire on cylinder number 8 — that cylinder is failing to combust properly or at the correct time. The PCM identifies it by monitoring crankshaft speed variations as cylinder 8 fires. Misfires waste fuel, increase emissions, and can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, so a hard misfire may cause a flashing check engine light. Typical symptoms include rough idle, vibration, hesitation, and reduced power. Typical repair costs on BMW range from $180 to $2,400, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0308
- •Worn, fouled, or incorrectly gapped spark plug on cylinder 8
- •Failed ignition coil or coil-on-plug for cylinder 8
- •Faulty, clogged, or leaking fuel injector
- •Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder
- •Low compression (worn rings, burnt/leaking valve, head gasket)
- •Damaged spark plug wire or boot (on applicable engines)
- •Carbon buildup or sticking valve
P0308 on BMW by Model
BMW 7 Series(1 issue)
- N63 Direct-Injection Fuel Injector Failure and Single-Cylinder Misfire - F01/F02 750i2009-2015
The N63's direct injectors sit in the hottest part of a hot-vee engine and fail early, either leaking down and washing the cylinder or losing flow entirely. The result is a persistent misfire isolated to one cylinder that follows the injector when you swap it to another bore - the diagnostic that separates an injector from a coil, plug, or HPFP problem. BMW went through several injector revisions and ran an index-level campaign, replacing early injectors with index 11 or higher on affected cars; checking the index number stamped on each injector is a standard step when diagnosing N63 misfires. Owners on BimmerFest report chasing a cylinder-specific misfire through coils, plugs and even swapped high-pressure fuel pumps before the injector proved to be the culprit.
BMW M5(1 issue)
- S63/S63TU Ignition Coil Premature Failure2012-2023
Ignition coils on S63 and S63TU engines (F10 M5 2012-2016, F90 M5 2018-2023) fail far more frequently than on other BMW engines, with failures common before 30,000 miles. High-performance turbocharged nature of S63 creates extreme heat and electrical demands that stress ignition coils beyond their design limits. When one coil fails, it typically signals that other coils are nearing end of life. Failed coils cause misfires, rough running, and can damage catalytic converters if not addressed promptly. M5Board: ignition coil failure before 30k miles is NORMAL on S63 engines - budget for this, don't be shocked when dealer says "common issue." When one coil fails, M5Post recommends replacing all 8 at once since they'll all fail within 10k miles anyway - saves second service appointment and labor cost.
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View P0308 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0308 mean on BMW?▼
P0308 stands for "Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected." P0308 means the engine computer detected a misfire on cylinder number 8 — that cylinder is failing to combust properly or at the correct time. The PCM identifies it by monitoring crankshaft speed variations as cylinder 8 fires. Misfires waste fuel, increase emissions, and can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, so a hard misfire may cause a flashing check engine light. Typical symptoms include rough idle, vibration, hesitation, and reduced power. On BMW specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0308 on BMW vehicles?▼
Common causes on BMW: Worn, fouled, or incorrectly gapped spark plug on cylinder 8, Failed ignition coil or coil-on-plug for cylinder 8, Faulty, clogged, or leaking fuel injector, Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder, Low compression (worn rings, burnt/leaking valve, head gasket). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0308 on a BMW?▼
Repair costs on BMW range from $180 to $2,400, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which BMW models have P0308 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0308 on 2 BMW models: 7 Series, M5.