BMW VANOS Repair Cost & Experience Needed

Had the exact same symptoms on my 2011 BMW 5 series last winter. The rough idle and power lag were real red flags. My diagnostic showed "Defect in one of the camshaft solenoid valves," and honestly, it needed immediate attention. Got it fixed at a shop specializing in BMW repairs. They had to replace the inlet VANOS solenoid and clean the whole VANOS unit. The old solenoid was completely clogged with oil deposits. It's a serious issue that can lead to further engine damage if left unchecked. The repair took about 6 hours because they had to check the timing and do a proper reset afterward. They also recommended changing the oil with the specific grade BMW requires, as poor oil quality can cause these solenoids to fail. After the fix, the difference was night and day, smooth idle, proper power delivery, and normal fuel consumption. Your symptoms match mine exactly, so I'd get it checked sooner rather than later.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. The rough idle and power issues are driving me crazy. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much the repair cost you? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Been worried about potential long-term effects this might've had on the engine.

Hey again! Was just checking back on this thread. After seeing your questions, I'm happy to fill you in. So yeah, I got my 5 series fixed, the inlet VANOS problem was exactly what I suspected. The repair set me back 250 € and honestly, it was worth every penny. The mechanic found a faulty solenoid valve and fixed it right up. I can tell you with confidence that it's been running like a dream since the repair. The engine's super smooth now, no more of that annoying rough idle, and the power delivery is back to what you'd expect from a BMW. Fuel consumption's back to normal too. As for long-term effects, nope, haven't noticed anything concerning since the fix. The key is catching it early, which sounds like what you're doing. My mechanic mentioned that these VANOS issues are pretty common in BMWs, and as long as you address them promptly, you shouldn't have any lasting problems. Just make sure whoever works on it knows their way around BMW VANOS systems. And definitely stick to the recommended oil, learned that lesson the hard way!

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! I bit the bullet and took my car to a BMW specialist yesterday. You were spot on, it was the inlet VANOS causing all the trouble. Had a faulty solenoid plus some nasty oil buildup that needed cleaning. The whole thing cost me slightly more than yours, around 300, but man, what a difference! The car's running smooth as silk now. No more rough idle, power's back to normal, and that annoying check engine light is finally off. They even gave me some tips about using the right oil grade to prevent future issues. Funny thing is, the mechanic I found was actually amazing. Super transparent about everything, showed me the old parts, and explained what went wrong. Complete opposite of my last experience! Guess sometimes these headaches lead us to better solutions. Really appreciate your help on this one. You definitely saved me from some unnecessary stress and probably some money too by pointing me in the right direction!