Yeah that's a hefty price tag. I'd try replacing them myself before shelling out that kind of money. I've done nearly everything else on these cars, can't be that hard. This is my third X5 so I definitely know all their trouble spots by now. This one is new to me because I had the M62 in my previous E53`s.

Maybe I'll stick a camera in that valve cover and see if I can see any pitting. I'm wondering if this might be an electronic gremlin. I don't really trust BMW mechanics, there are a lot of half ass RnR guys who don't really know what they're doing. I've learned that over the years.

As some guy once said, "trust, but verify"