[Yellowtail]

I have two oem vanos solenoids I bought for my car but never ended putting them on if you're interested pm me

[FamilyManTrackSedan]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Well, if you continue to get vanos errors after solenoid replacement, it could easily be some other part of the vanos system, not necessarily the replaced solenoid itself. And that is where the cam ledge issue can come into play.

Disagree in this case. Replaced with german solenoid. Issue resolved.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by FamilyManTrackSedan

I'm another anecdote but given a 2a87 code, fixed with a 45 dollar solenoid from Amazon, it just threw a different VANOS code on me later on another pull. I decided it was penny wise pound foolish to screw with anything-VANOS.

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Well, if you continue to get vanos errors after solenoid replacement, it could easily be some other part of the vanos system, not necessarily the replaced solenoid itself. And that is where the cam ledge issue can come into play.

Bingo! Just like all the "I cleanded the vanos solenoid" threads to fix vanos issue. Could be cam ledge as 335e92tx said, also bad/wrong oil, o-ring on oil filter cap, return vanos check valves and etc. Throwing parts at, whether cheap aftermarket or expensive BMW brandend will not guaranty a fix. I honestly fail to see any sense in FamilyMantrucksedan post. After cheap vanos solenoids replacement you show code for something else. So what's up? The expensive BMW part really fixed it?

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by feuer

I find these comments laughable, sorry. If BMW build quality is anything close to Honda you would not have to repalce these parts as frequently thus recommending purchasing of BMW branded parts as a must is rather dumb. Especially now when e9x could be had for cheap.

You have a good point here. However if BMW can't even make a reliable part then I would have little confidence in the no-name manufacturers to do any better. At least with the BMW parts there is a large amount of data to guesstimate the part's life-span. Whereas there is little to no existing data for the alternative, so it's kind of a gamble.

However the flipside is that sometimes you can buy several of the no-name part before you pay for a single of the BMW part.

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by FamilyManTrackSedan

Disagree in this case. Replaced with german solenoid. Issue resolved.

How many miles have you put on it?

In short, these systems are quite complicated, and I am not confident even BMW (or certainly the run of the mill tech at your local dealer) has seen all the possible symptoms as these things age.
That's my 2c.

I still don't have my drive ability problem fixed - so I'm no expert. By this time weds it should have been looked by the local expert though.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

You have a good point here. However if BMW can't even make a reliable part then I would have little confidence in the no-name manufacturers to do any better. At least with the BMW parts there is a large amount of data to guesstimate the part's life-span. Whereas there is little to no existing data for the alternative, so it's kind of a gamble.

However the flipside is that sometimes you can buy several of the no-name part before you pay for a single of the BMW part.

That's the thing: BMW doesn't make these parts in house, they farm out to some as you say "no name" and impose customers to pay premium on the parts because are branded BMW. A lot of aftermarket parts have proven to be much better (not only cheaper) alternative. Not only for BMW but in general. BMW most definitely didn't conduct the research on life-span and etc as you say. Was either Bosch or Continental or who ever these two outsourced to. That's how it works. Lets don't kid ourselves. So is it a gamble?

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by feuer

That's the thing: BMW doesn't make these parts in house, they farm out to some as you say "no name" and impose customers to pay premium on the parts because are branded BMW. A lot of aftermarket parts have proven to be much better (not only cheaper) alternative. Not only for BMW but in general. BMW most definitely didn't conduct the research on life-span and etc as you say. Was either Bosch or Continental or who ever these two outsourced to. That's how it works. Lets don't kid ourselves. So is it a gamble?

Agreed. That's been the case for many parts, motor mounts, injectors, etc...

Keeping this productive, have we confirmed who the original manufacturer is for the OEM solenoid? Not just "My motor didn't explode with a Dorman part..."

[feuer]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Agreed. That's been the case for many parts, motor mounts, injectors, etc...

Keeping this productive, have we confirmed who the original manufacturer is for the OEM solenoid? Not just "My motor didn't explode with a Dorman part..."

Not sure who makes the newer ones but on older BMW was ATE and Mannesmann and I don't expect that this changed much.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by feuer

That's the thing: BMW doesn't make these parts in house, they farm out to some as you say "no name" and impose customers to pay premium on the parts because are branded BMW. A lot of aftermarket parts have proven to be much better (not only cheaper) alternative. Not only for BMW but in general. BMW most definitely didn't conduct the research on life-span and etc as you say. Was either Bosch or Continental or who ever these two outsourced to. That's how it works. Lets don't kid ourselves. So is it a gamble?

A lot of aftermarket parts also don't fit exactly the same. It all depends.

[musa]

Originally Posted by Jklad

A lot of aftermarket parts also don't fit exactly the same. It all depends.

Good point. I have 3 BMWs and over the years I've owned them and maintained them myself, I have learned the hard and expensive way that when it comes to components with very little tolerances and electrical, just get them from BMW (online stores esp. can sell them way below MSRP)- it's not laughable to me when I have to redo a project because a component failed too soon.

Also note that some of the components even though made by the same factory, are not made to exact BMW specifications as per contract to manufacture them for BMW. They don't just stamp components from general assembly line with BMW logo.

[FamilyManTrackSedan]

Originally Posted by feuer

Bingo! Just like all the "I cleanded the vanos solenoid" threads to fix vanos issue. Could be cam ledge as 335e92tx said, also bad/wrong oil, o-ring on oil filter cap, return vanos check valves and etc. Throwing parts at, whether cheap aftermarket or expensive BMW brandend will not guaranty a fix. I honestly fail to see any sense in FamilyMantrucksedan post. After cheap vanos solenoids replacement you show code for something else. So what's up? The expensive BMW part really fixed it?

Yes indeed. To make things a bit more complex, it was an exhaust side vanos code. Replaced outlet with cheap chinese solenoid AND swapped with the inlet (cleaned). (So this could explain a different code after running it hard.) Replaced Chinese with another (happened to be German, not "Genuine BMW") solenoid and swapped positions again. After two weekends at the track beating the shit out the car, all has been fine. You think it's my cam ledge? Ok.

Guys Chinese parts are just hit or miss. Sometimes they are high quality and sometimes they're garbage. Sometimes that risk is totally appropriate. You take the chance but nobody should be surprised.