BMW XM VANOS Repair Costs & Solutions Guide

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW X6 M50i last year. The symptoms were identical, engine light, increased fuel consumption, power losses, and rough idling. After scanning, it turned out to be a faulty camshaft solenoid valve in the VANOS system. Initially thought it might be something minor, but it was actually pretty serious since it affects engine timing and performance. If left unchecked, it could lead to more severe engine damage. In my case, we had to replace one of the solenoid valves and clean the VANOS unit. There was also an electrical issue with the power supply to the solenoid. The repair took about a day in the shop. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon, these symptoms won't go away on their own and could get worse. Make sure to find a shop that specializes in BMW repairs, as VANOS systems can be tricky. Just my two cents based on my experience.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Mine sounds exactly like what you went through with your X6. Glad to hear you got it sorted out. Could you tell me roughly what the repair cost was in the end? Also curious if you've had any other VANOS-related issues pop up since the fix? I want to make sure I budget properly and know what to expect long-term. Thanks!

Hey again! Happy to help! After getting it fixed at the shop, my X6 has been running like a dream, no more VANOS issues at all. The total bill came to 250 € for fixing the faulty inlet VANOS mechanics. They found a defect in one of the camshaft solenoid valves and sorted out the power supply problem too. I know it's always nerve-wracking when these things pop up, but honestly, once it's fixed properly, you shouldn't have any more trouble. My car's been smooth sailing for the past year, no rough idle, no power drops, and fuel consumption is back to normal. The engine light hasn't come back on either. Just make sure you get someone who knows their stuff with BMW VANOS systems. It's not the kind of repair you want to cut corners on, but it's also not as scary expensive as some other engine work can be. Let me know if you need any other info! Always happy to share what I learned from the experience.

Thanks so much for the detailed info! Actually just got back from a BMW specialist today and wanted to update you on my situation. Turned out you were spot on, it was the inlet VANOS solenoid causing all the trouble. The mechanic found some debris blocking the valve, plus there was an electrical connection issue. Fixed it all up and did a thorough cleaning of the VANOS unit while they were at it. Ended up paying about 300 € in total, which wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Car's running much better now, idle is smooth, power's back to normal, and that annoying engine light is finally gone. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me know what to expect and gave me confidence to get it sorted quickly. Think I've found a decent mechanic this time too, so that's a bonus! Thanks again for all your help!