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dominik_eis1

BMW 7 Series Valvetronic Issues Causing Multiple Symptoms

Hi fellow BMW owners, got some concerns with my 2013 BMW 7 Series (143k km, gas engine). The car's been acting up lately, engine runs rough, sluggish acceleration with jerking, and the check engine light is on. Fuel consumption has also gone through the roof. I suspect it might be Valvetronic related. Had a not-so-great experience with my previous mechanic, so I'm hesitant about where to take it. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? Would appreciate recommendations on reliable mechanics who know their way around Valvetronic systems. Thanks in advance!

4 comment(s)

marvinzimmermann25

Hey there! I actually had nearly identical issues with my 2010 BMW 5 Series last year. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, rough idle, jerky acceleration, and high fuel consumption. The diagnosis confirmed it was indeed a Valvetronic issue. The mechanism needed a complete run-in procedure, plus they had to replace the Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft. It was a serious job that took a couple of days to fix properly. Looking back, it was crucial to have someone who really knows BMW's Valvetronic system. These aren't your regular valve timing problems, they're pretty complex and need specific diagnostic tools. My advice would be to find someone with proper BMW certification and experience with these specific systems. After the fix, my car ran like new again, smooth power delivery and normal fuel consumption returned. Don't wait too long on this one, as it can potentially cause more damage if left unchecked. Hope this helps with your decision-making. Let us know how it turns out.

dominik_eis1 (Author)

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since it sounds so similar to my situation. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? I'm trying to get a better idea of what I'm potentially looking at cost-wise and whether this could be part of a bigger problem.

marvinzimmermann25

Hey again! Happy to give you an update on my Valvetronic repair situation. The total bill came to 575 € for fixing the mechanism, definitely not cheap, but worth every penny considering how well the car's running now. I'm actually really glad you asked about how it's been since the repair. It's been absolutely fantastic! The car feels completely transformed, no more jerking, the engine's running super smooth, and my fuel consumption is back to normal. It's like having my old BMW back, honestly. After seeing how complex the Valvetronic system is when I had it repaired, I definitely made the right choice going to a proper BMW specialist. They knew exactly what they were doing, and the results show it. No issues whatsoever since the fix, which was about a year ago now. Trust me, once you get it sorted, you'll notice the difference right away. The peace of mind alone is worth it. And no, I haven't had any related problems pop up, it seems like once it's fixed properly, it stays fixed. Just make sure you get someone who really knows these systems inside and out.

dominik_eis1 (Author)

Thanks everyone for the advice and detailed responses! I wanted to give you all an update on my BMW situation. I took my car to a certified BMW specialist last week, and you were absolutely right about the Valvetronic system. The repair cost was a bit steep at 650 €, but honestly, the difference is like night and day. The mechanic was fantastic, really knew his stuff and walked me through everything they were doing. The whole job took about two days, but it was worth the wait. My car's running amazingly now, the rough idle is completely gone, acceleration is smooth again, and I'm not burning through fuel like before. The funny part was watching the mechanic's face when he first started the diagnostic. He just nodded and said "Classic Valvetronic symptoms" before I even finished explaining! He'd apparently fixed quite a few similar cases. Really glad I followed your advice about going to a specialist. Definitely learned my lesson about trying to save money by going to general mechanics. Sometimes you just need someone who really knows these specific systems. Oh, and they even threw in a complimentary inspection of other potential wear points, which was pretty decent of them. Thanks again for helping me make the right choice!

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