BMW X1 VANOS Issues: Multiple Symptoms and Solutions?

I have some experience working on BMWs. Had a similar issue with my 2015 BMW 3-series (320i). Started with pretty much the same symptoms, check engine light, terrible fuel economy, and that annoying power loss. Really frustrating, especially during overtaking. Took it to my trusted mechanic who diagnosed a faulty camshaft solenoid valve. Total repair came to 250 Euro, but it was worth every penny, car runs like new now. The symptoms disappeared completely. Before diving deeper, could you share: Any specific error codes? When did these symptoms first appear? Any unusual engine sounds? Have you checked your oil level and condition? The X1 and 3-series share similar engine architecture, so I might be able to help more with additional details.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X1 actually started showing these problems right after my latest service about 3 weeks ago. I haven't noticed any weird sounds, but the oil level is good and was just changed during service. Currently at 45048 KM. I did scan for codes and got P0011 and P0014, both related to camshaft timing. Your experience with the solenoid valve issue is really helpful, sounds pretty similar to what I'm dealing with. Did your mechanic mention anything about the labor time for this repair? I'm trying to figure out how long I might be without my car. Also wondering if you had any warning signs before the CEL came on? Mine seemed to happen pretty suddenly.

Hey again! Glad I could help earlier. Yeah, when I had my 320i fixed, the labor time wasn't too bad at all, took my mechanic about 2-3 hours to complete the job. The solenoid replacement itself is pretty straightforward if you've got someone who knows BMWs well. Those codes you mentioned (P0011 and P0014) are exactly what I had too! Funny enough, mine also started acting up after a service, but I think that was just coincidence. And yeah, it was pretty sudden for me as well, woke up one morning, started the car, and boom, CEL was on and the car felt really sluggish. One thing I forgot to mention earlier, my mechanic actually showed me the old solenoid when he replaced it. It was all gunked up with oil deposits, which apparently is a common issue with these engines. The new part made such a difference, the engine response was noticeably smoother right away. Just a heads up though, make sure they check the electrical connections and wiring while they're in there. My mechanic found a slightly corroded connector when doing my repair, and fixing that was part of the complete solution. Let me know how it goes with the repair. Always good to compare notes with fellow BMW owners!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! Really helpful to hear about your experience, especially about the labor time. 2-3 hours isn't too bad at all, I was worried it might be a much longer job. That's also interesting about the gunked-up solenoid you mentioned. Makes me wonder if something similar happened to mine, especially since these problems started after the service. I've just booked my car in for next week. The mechanic I spoke to seemed pretty confident after I told him about the error codes and mentioned your similar experience. He also said he'd check those electrical connections you mentioned, really glad you brought that up! I'll definitely keep this thread updated once I get the car back. Given how similar our issues are, it'll probably help other BMW owners who run into the same problem. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience, it's made me feel a lot more confident about getting this sorted!