[Hoody007]

Recall done! 03/2011 build 528i, N52. new bolts and VCG! Picking the car up tomorrow, not sure if they did the other gaskets too. No recommended services either, tech seemed happy in the video, guess he appreciated the detailed engine bay

Got an i4 loaner. Fun car, drives like a BMW, but iDrive 8.5 is a mess. Worse CarPlay experience than my Mr12Volt ‘box, can’t even change the time? Yeesh.

[arciga18]

Ended up ordering new winter tires / brake fluid flush/ alignment.

This free recall was not free lol. Darn you maintenance I had put off for years

[TekkaMaki]

Going in today for the recall work. Planning on getting oil changed even with 4k miles/ 6 mo on this oil/filter.

[TekkaMaki]

Originally Posted by TekkaMaki

Going in today for the recall work. Planning on getting oil changed even with 4k miles/ 6 mo on this oil/filter.

They gave me a z4m40i, probably through the weekend.
I like. Alot!

[TekkaMaki]

Recall done on my 2011 n51. Full inspection at no charge with no issues found.

I will miss the Z4 m40i, really fun with summer tires in the rain, lol.
unfortunately a bit out of my pay grade.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Cal122

See if they're offering Value Service for replacement at your dealer. When I was in for SULEV work recently they had an offer under value service for $252.

While it is apart for this recall it should literally be at most 1/4 hour labor and the cost of the plugs - and given how many cars I have bought from them, it really should just be the cost of the plugs... But we shall see.

[jadams161]

Well my 2011 328i (150k) went to the Stealership for the recall this morning. The bolts were done in 2014 on the first recall. Hopefully there are no issues, I really don't like anyone touching my cars. I'm more concerned about the VC bolts coming out more than the Vanos bolts. 99% sure the heads are intact because I did the oil pan gasket 2 years ago but we'll see. Fingers crossed....

[GoogleHomePod]

Had my car towed into to Bill Pierce BMW in Reno for a diagnostic car hasn’t been running and sounded like a diesel before it died I’m hoping the Vanos bolts have something to do with it

[GoogleHomePod]

Good news my service advisor let me know that some of the Vanos bolts broke and my engine is not making compression he also let me know he’s been in contact with BMW, if they perform the recall and engine runs then that’s that but if it doesn’t make compression I will get a new engine

Wish me luck

[jadams161]

Got my car back. Took 3 days to complete. Was told they were busy and down a tech. Bolts were all fine from the 2014 recall so it was a simple swap out. Car runs fine. My complaints are that they only replace the VC gasket when there are 3 gaskets total in the cover. My eccentric shaft sensor seal was apparently leaking for a while but I didn't know it until I removed to beauty cover today to inspect the work. Found it leaking and was kinda pissed that the tech didn't even mention it anywhere. I would have told him to replace it while the cover was off. Now I have to order it from FCP and do it myself. Simple enough but annoying. My other concern is that the bolts are aluminum torque to yield. So I don't understand how they reused them.
They also replaced the drivers Airbag under the recall so that's finally done too.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by jadams161

Got my car back. Took 3 days to complete. Was told they were busy and down a tech. Bolts were all fine from the 2014 recall so it was a simple swap out. Car runs fine. My complaints are that they only replace the VC gasket when there are 3 gaskets total in the cover. My eccentric shaft sensor seal was apparently leaking for a while but I didn't know it until I removed to beauty cover today to inspect the work. Found it leaking and was kinda pissed that the tech didn't even mention it anywhere. I would have told him to replace it while the cover was off. Now I have to order it from FCP and do it myself. Simple enough but annoying. My other concern is that the bolts are aluminum torque to yield. So I don't understand how they reused them.
They also replaced the drivers Airbag under the recall so that's finally done too.

That’s odd - they did my ESS gasket and valvetronic gasket as part of the recall - my receipt even shows it as “warranty” for all 3. They also replaced all 8 screws.
Worth a shot reaching out to the dealer and seeing what they say…

[Hoody007]

Here’s a cropped photo of my invoice.

[bimmerbread]

Can anyone knowledgeable confirm the intake bolts in the attached photo are safe? I’ve seen other posts showing a security torx. December 2011 build 328xi e91.

2 local dealers, BMW NA, and NHTSA all saying this vin is not affected but I’d rather be safe.

[arciga18]

Originally Posted by arciga18

Well The Recall has not gone as expected.

I was wishing/ hopeful for broken bolts to sneak as much repairs on BMW's dime as possible.

Instead, my FRM croaked out and that has to be replaced now. Dealer is covering the labor/ coding (?) and i am stuck with the part at invoice cost. I am 3 years past the extension.

I also decided to just get value service front brakes down while it was there. Even with the parts on the cheap from BMW parts world wide it isn't worth to do on my own.

I knew the front brakes would be due soon so not mad at all about that.

The FRM situtation is turning into a joke.

I got the car back. no PDC sensors, no reverse lights, the passenger window button rolls down driver/ driver will roll down passenger, the blinkers on the front had lights have a strobe effect.

Dealership is blaing my m3 cluster as the reason why they couldn't code correctly.

[lordnikon]

The fact that they returned the car it to you in that state is a joke.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by bimmerbread

Can anyone knowledgeable confirm the intake bolts in the attached photo are safe? I’ve seen other posts showing a security torx. December 2011 build 328xi e91.

2 local dealers, BMW NA, and NHTSA all saying this vin is not affected but I’d rather be safe.

Those look like the correct replacement Vanos bolts without the center security pin.

[bigretic]

After reading 12 pages i felt the need to register and post. I'm not sure if i'm a complete idiot or too patient or way too stubborn. Wife's 2010 528i has been broken in the garage for 3 years. Had a melt down one day of the PVC and started "screaming". Replaced VC and plugs, coils started, but it would not idle correctly, CEL on, limp mode etc. Scan came back misfires and exhaust side cam position sensor. Replaced sensor. No change.
Changed vanos solenoids - nope.
Smoke tested, changed breather tube and angle connector - nope.
Intake gaskets - nope.
Non return valves - nope.
Parked it and lost interest.
Opened it back up last weekend. Bolts are sheared on exhaust cam. Still have not got "ready" letter from BMW, called dealer and they gave green light to bring it in. Said remedy is ready, letters are backlogged.
OMG... wtf. It is literally 3 years almost to the day since this car broke down. Life got in the way and it just sat.

[phteven]

Dumb question, but has anyone seen or heard of failure of the old style actuator not covered under the recall? 11-36-7-522-290 and 11-31-7-545-959. These have a similar looking security torx mounted on the front of the actuator unlike the new style with the bolts mounted on the rear.

[Cal122]

Originally Posted by bimmerbread

Can anyone knowledgeable confirm the intake bolts in the attached photo are safe? I’ve seen other posts showing a security torx. December 2011 build 328xi e91.2 local dealers, BMW NA, and NHTSA all saying this vin is not affected but I’d rather be safe.

Do you know if your car had the bolts replaced as part of the previous recall? They look like the updated bolts without the pin in the middle. My 2011 also doesn't fall under this recall, I need to get a scope in to take a look at them. Unfortunately replaced my valve cover about a month before this recall was issued so didn't get a look.

[sachnsit]

I have a 2013 328i convertible that I know should be part of the recall but is not showing up in the list. It has a leaking VCG, any way I can push it through or could it be a miss on their part?

[jadams161]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

That’s odd - they did my ESS gasket and valvetronic gasket as part of the recall - my receipt even shows it as “warranty” for all 3. They also replaced all 8 screws.
Worth a shot reaching out to the dealer and seeing what they say…

Well since it took them 3 days to complete the work I'll just replace the ESS gasket myself since it's external and takes 2 minutes to do and is $8. I plan to call but it's honestly not worth my time with this dealership. I've had several bad experiences with them in the past but unfortunately I am stuck with them since the next dealer is almost 2 hours away .

[jadams161]

I'm still confused as to how they reused the VC bolts since they are aluminum torque to yield. Every repair done on a BMW requires you to replace a bolt...BMW cutting corners and not wanting to do it correctly. I'll probably have a VC gasket leak days after the warranty is over on this repair.