P0304 on a BMW: Causes, Fixes & Repair Cost

🟠 Moderate severity · drivable

A steady light usually means you can drive a short distance, but a flashing light means the misfire is severe — pull over and get the BMW towed.

What P0304 means on a BMW

On a BMW, P0304 means the engine computer found that cylinder 4 is misfiring — it is not burning fuel on schedule. Because the code names one cylinder, the fault is almost always cylinder 4's own spark plug, ignition coil, or fuel injector. BMW engines use coil-on-plug ignition, so each cylinder has its own coil.

Is P0304 common on BMWs?

P0304 shows up on BMWs like the 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, and X5. Ignition coils are a well-known wear item on BMW engines and a common cause of single-cylinder misfires as the miles add up. Worn spark plugs are also very common, and a failing fuel injector is less common but possible.

Commonly reported on: 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5.

Symptoms

Check engine light on, flashing if the misfire is severe
Rough idle or shaking while stopped
Loss of power or hesitation when accelerating
Worse fuel economy

Common causes

most common: Failing ignition coil for cylinder 4
common: Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 4
less common: Clogged or leaking fuel injector on cylinder 4
less common: Vacuum or intake air leak near cylinder 4

How to fix it

Fix	DIY?	Typical cost
Replace the cylinder 4 ignition coil	Yes	$80–250
Replace the spark plugs	Yes	$100–300
Swap the coil with another cylinder to confirm the fault first	Yes	$10–30
Replace the fuel injector on cylinder 4	Mechanic	$300–800