2011 BMW 325i E90 cold start issues

Dickiemail · 07-16-2021, 07:35 AM

I had exactly the same cold start problem on my 2011 325i. Mentioned it to the BMW specialist who does all my servicing and maintenance (Bee Ems, Hornsby NSW) and there was a BMW factory software update for this known issue, which they did for me at the next service. Long story short it fixed the problem. No other parts were replaced apart from standard service parts (oil filter etc).

cheerio · 07-22-2021, 02:13 AM

Thanks for the comments on DME update being a fix. Unfortunately my DME is already running recent (2018+) firmware and factory tune, so seems there's a hardware issue causing this on my end. Throttle body? O2 sensor? DISA? Who knows.

cheerio · 11-14-2021, 10:10 PM

I've still got this happening on and off. Made some datalogs of VANOS setpoint vs. actual position; it looks okay but not great, especially on the exhaust side.

I ordered some aftermarket (SMP) VANOS actuators from RockAuto last week, and just received them today. They're under half the cost of OEM at US$70 each. Will install them soon and let you guys know how it goes.

cheerio · 11-18-2021, 06:29 AM

Ok, I’m about 95% sure this is a VANOS issue.
Fitted both the new solenoids. Car drove great, felt more responsive, didn’t notice any surging.
The next day, it threw CEL for exhaust side stuck, and felt slow again. I guess it’s true that all aftermarket VANOS solenoids are garbage, lol. I swapped back in my (seemingly good) original intake side solenoid to the exhaust side, and it seemed to run well again.

I’ve ordered one new genuine solenoid today, and put back the bad original solenoid on the intake - going to try return both the aftermarket ones for a refund.

Car runs worse again, but in a slightly different way. Very weak/delayed torque response down low, but it doesn’t shake at idle with the AC on, like it did with the bad solenoid on the exhaust.

cheerio · 12-01-2021, 01:04 AM

(Hopefully) final update on this: installed a new genuine VANOS solenoid on the intake side, and the idle surging appears to be completely gone. Car now idles smooth on cold start, and throttle response seems a lot sharper when driving.

Would not recommend SMP aftermarket VANOS solenoids. Genuine part looks (and works, apparently) significantly better.

F31B48 · 12-30-2021, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerio

I've still got this happening on and off. Made some datalogs of VANOS setpoint vs. actual position; it looks okay but not great, especially on the exhaust side.

I ordered some aftermarket (SMP) VANOS actuators from RockAuto last week, and just received them today. They're under half the cost of OEM at US$70 each. Will install them soon and let you guys know how it goes.

What software did you use to do the data logs? My mileage is getting up there now and I'm considering replacing the solenoids, but it would be interesting to check them first.

cheerio · 12-31-2021, 07:10 AM

Used TestO for the datalogging.
View more info and download at: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ime-graph-view

juld0zer · 01-08-2022, 08:09 AM

Only use genuine solenoids. They should be an 80-100k replacement item along with the belt, pulleys, clean of the strainers etc

Bimmer325i · 04-01-2023, 05:04 AM

Hi,
No real update from me.
Car has been okay. I had the air intake flap cleaned by a mechanic because my car would often make a little jerking move when taking off from standstill, e.g. at traffic light.

It hasn't gotten worse, so I keep monitoring.

07-16-2021, 07:35 AM	#23
Dickiemail Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: E91 323i and E90 325i. Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NSW iTrader: (0)	I had exactly the same cold start problem on my 2011 325i. Mentioned it to the BMW specialist who does all my servicing and maintenance (Bee Ems, Hornsby NSW) and there was a BMW factory software update for this known issue, which they did for me at the next service. Long story short it fixed the problem. No other parts were replaced apart from standard service parts (oil filter etc). Last edited by Dickiemail; 07-19-2021 at 08:33 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2021, 02:13 AM	#24
cheerio Private First Class 148 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E61 + E36 + E90 scrapheap Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the comments on DME update being a fix. Unfortunately my DME is already running recent (2018+) firmware and factory tune, so seems there's a hardware issue causing this on my end. Throttle body? O2 sensor? DISA? Who knows.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2021, 10:10 PM	#25
cheerio Private First Class 148 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E61 + E36 + E90 scrapheap Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	I've still got this happening on and off. Made some datalogs of VANOS setpoint vs. actual position; it looks okay but not great, especially on the exhaust side. I ordered some aftermarket (SMP) VANOS actuators from RockAuto last week, and just received them today. They're under half the cost of OEM at US$70 each. Will install them soon and let you guys know how it goes. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2021, 06:29 AM	#26
cheerio Private First Class 148 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E61 + E36 + E90 scrapheap Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Ok, I’m about 95% sure this is a VANOS issue. Fitted both the new solenoids. Car drove great, felt more responsive, didn’t notice any surging. The next day, it threw CEL for exhaust side stuck, and felt slow again. I guess it’s true that all aftermarket VANOS solenoids are garbage, lol. I swapped back in my (seemingly good) original intake side solenoid to the exhaust side, and it seemed to run well again. I’ve ordered one new genuine solenoid today, and put back the bad original solenoid on the intake - going to try return both the aftermarket ones for a refund. Car runs worse again, but in a slightly different way. Very weak/delayed torque response down low, but it doesn’t shake at idle with the AC on, like it did with the bad solenoid on the exhaust.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2021, 01:04 AM	#27
cheerio Private First Class 148 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E61 + E36 + E90 scrapheap Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	(Hopefully) final update on this: installed a new genuine VANOS solenoid on the intake side, and the idle surging appears to be completely gone. Car now idles smooth on cold start, and throttle response seems a lot sharper when driving. Would not recommend SMP aftermarket VANOS solenoids. Genuine part looks (and works, apparently) significantly better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-31-2021, 07:10 AM	#29
cheerio Private First Class 148 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E61 + E36 + E90 scrapheap Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Used TestO for the datalogging. View more info and download at: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ime-graph-view
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-08-2022, 08:09 AM	#30
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Only use genuine solenoids. They should be an 80-100k replacement item along with the belt, pulleys, clean of the strainers etc
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2023, 05:04 AM	#31
Bimmer325i New Member 6 Rep 14 Posts Drives: BMW E90 325i 2011 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: AUS iTrader: (0)	Hi, No real update from me. Car has been okay. I had the air intake flap cleaned by a mechanic because my car would often make a little jerking move when taking off from standstill, e.g. at traffic light. It hasn't gotten worse, so I keep monitoring.
	Appreciate 0 Quote