Problems with BMW 3 Series 2008: VANOS broken?

Hi mate, I had a similar problem with my 2006 BMW 1 series, I am not a car mechanic but have had some experience with cars. At my garage, the mechanic found that the problem was caused by the missing insert in the oil filter cap. I paid 55 euros for it and after that the car ran smoothly again. Your problem sounds pretty similar, but it would be helpful if you could provide more details about your vehicle to give a more accurate assessment. What about the mileage and general maintenance of your car?

(Translated from German)

Hey, thanks for your quick reply! My 3 Series is a gasoline engine and now has 221014 km on the clock. The last service was about 2000 km ago and there were no major problems. I'll have a look at the oil filter cap, thanks for the tip. Otherwise I'll probably have to take it back to the workshop.

(Translated from German)

Hey, no problem, that's what we're here for, to exchange ideas and help each other! 221014 km is a respectable number, but BMW engines can take a lot. Have you had the timing chain tensioner checked to see if it's OK? The symptoms could be due to a loose or worn timing chain tensioner. Apart from that, your exhaust VANOS could actually have a problem. A thorough inspection should clear things up, although unfortunately repairs to these parts are usually quite expensive. Anyway, glad if I could help and keep us posted. Good luck!

(Translated from German)

Hi, it's really great that you answered so quickly. It reassures me that you don't automatically assume the worst. I haven't had the timing chain tensioner checked yet, so thanks for the tip. The exhaust VANOS thing sounds plausible, as you say. So, workshop is definitely on the to-do list. Hopefully it won't be any major repairs. It feels good to meet competent people here. We'll get it sorted. Thanks again and I'll let you know as soon as I know more. See you then and have a safe journey!

(Translated from German)

Hi Have you had your chain tensioner checked? I once had a 3 Series with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Same problems and a fault memory entry for the Vanos. Unfortunately I had no luck. I had to have the whole chain drive replaced. The chain had elongated.

(Translated from German)

Hello everyone, I just did a Carly diagnostic on my E61 bmw 525i 2007 and I have the following error code: 0029E0 DMEregulation of the mixture. In fact, the car "churns" when starting from cold. It seems to run on 5 cylinders, idles indefinitely and works fine once the engine has warmed up. What exactly is the problem? .... Can I fix it myself? Thank you very much for your help.

(Translated from French)

The error code 0029E0 refers to a mixture control issue, which could be due to a number of reasons such as a faulty oxygen sensor, fuel injector, or even a vacuum leak. As your car runs fine once warmed up, it's likely that the issue is with the cold start system. A common issue with BMWs is a faulty engine coolant temperature sensor which can cause poor cold start performance. You can check this sensor for any signs of damage or corrosion. However, due to the complexity of these systems, it's recommended to have a professional mechanic diagnose the issue if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. Please keep us updated on your progress. Do you have any other questions?