Uneven running and strange noises in BMW 3 Series (built 2008): Looking for advice and experience

Hey, when I took my 2011 BMW 5 Series out of the garage, I had similar symptoms. Indicator light on, rough running and strange noises. And yes, my car only had around 215,000 km on the clock. However, I didn't have any metal shavings. The problem you describe can have many causes, but in my case it was the intake VANOS. If your vehicle jerks under partial load or when changing gear, the engine runs very smoothly and there is a strange noise level, it could be due to the VANOS. The mechanic then replaced the intake VANOS and everything ran as normal again. It was a major job, not a small job, but after that everything was quiet again. I would advise you to go to the workshop as soon as possible. Driving around will probably only make it worse if you already have chips. Good luck!

(Translated from German)

It's great that you're sharing your experience with me. I really will have to visit the workshop as soon as possible. Do you happen to remember how much you paid to repair the intake VANOS?

(Translated from German)

Hey, sure, I can still remember that. It cost me around €600 to repair the VANOS. It was worn rubber sealing rings in the unit itself that caused the fault. So the rabbit is running smoothly again. I hope it will be the same for you!

(Translated from German)

Hey, I'll tell my mechanic about your experience and hope that he gets the problem under control quickly. But it's good to know that it could be expensive this time. So I guess I'll save up for now xD Thanks again for your help! Greetings!

(Translated from German)

02A82 Hello folks I have a BMW 523i E60 with the N52B25 engine The problem : I start the engine and the car runs rough (especially in cold start) and then it actually catches and you can drive. However, when you brake, it jerks and shakes again and catches again in a short time. And now and then it doesn't do any of this but drives without any problems. My error code is 02A82 Vanos intake Should I really change the solenoid valve? I just took both out and cleaned them and they should work as you can hear the ball moving freely when you shake it. Have I perhaps installed them the wrong way round or does it not matter. Or what else could it be? MfG

(Translated from German)

It sounds like you've already done some good troubleshooting by cleaning the solenoid valves. However, if you're still experiencing the same issues and the error code 02A82 is still present, it might be worth replacing the intake VANOS solenoid. It's possible that despite cleaning, the solenoid could still be faulty. Also, it's important to install the solenoids in the correct position. The intake solenoid should be installed closer to the front of the car and the exhaust solenoid closer to the firewall. If replacing the solenoid doesn't resolve the issue, you might need to look into other potential causes such as a faulty VANOS unit, timing issues, or even a problem with the camshaft. Remember, if you're not comfortable doing these checks yourself, it's always a good idea to have a professional mechanic take a look. Please let us know how you get on with this.