I have a 04 Base model. When I bought the car back in February, it had the service engine light on, so I had the codes ran, and the only one that came up was for a low fuel pressure. I was told that the fuel pumps are known to cause that and it will need to be replaced. I notice that after starting the car and backing out of the driveway then taking off down the road, as soon as I shift into second, it starts chugging and almost dies, then it picks back up as if nothing happened. Every so often when I start off from a stop, if I don't give it enough throttle it will start chugging and almost die then the EML will come on and all is fine again. Is this all related to the fuel pump issue, and what is the EML light for?
Thank you all in advance!

 

'04 base ... OK. I would start off by asking how many miles?

But thinking that the car is 15 years old, I would almost guess that the fuel filter probably has not been changed ... ever.

So being a service task that really is not that hard to do, and if you have basic skills, after watching a few videos you should be able to swap it out yourself.

Filter: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=16_0507

One of many videos:
If you still have issues after this, then the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) be really be at fault.

Best of luck.

Motor On!