Dudewanarace,

Thank you for posting this. My 2003 X5 4.4 is exhibiting vanos and timing chain symptoms. It currently has 135,000 miles. Cold start sounds like a diesel and it makes a metallic grinding sound when the engine is revved up above 1200 rpm--sounds like the chain is hitting the block or something. Noticed reduced torque at low speed especially when going up hill.

Did you perform the tasks all by yourself? Can one person do all the work by himself?

__________________
2003 X5 4.4i Titanium Silver