Vibration/rough at idle when in gear and foot on brake...I've tried everything! Help!
 

My 2001 E53 3.0i automatic X5 experiences a medium strength vibration when I have the transmission in drive, at idle and I have my foot on the brake. The vibration occurs whether the engine and/or ambient temperature is hot or cold. The check engine light never comes on. The engine is not throwing any trouble codes. I've had this problem at least six months.

The vibration stops as soon as I take my foot off the brake or I shift into park or neutral. The vibration does not happen at all while the car is moving. The engine is very smooth at all speeds. Handling and braking are also good. The is no smoke of any kind coming from the exhaust. There are no exhaust leaks (that I can find). The idle speed is stable.

This car has no mods of any kind.

The DISA/flapper valve is good (is working and does not leak), there does not appear to be any vacuum leaks, I've cleaned and checked the throttle body, I've cleaned and checked the idle control valve, I've replaced the air filter, I've replaced the fuel filter, I've replaced the ccv oil separator, I ran some redline fuel injector cleaner and I run high octane gas.

Does anyone have any other ideas for me to fix the issue?

are your rpm`s steady? maybe your motor mounts are shot?

Yes, idle speed is stable.

How do I tell if the motor mounts are shot?

I have never had to check them on a bmw ,but I know on chevs the rubber mounts will split/fall a part so I assume it would be the same idea.

You nee 2 people to check them. 1 person watches the engine from outside of the vehicle., while the other person firmly places their foot on the brake, engages Drive, and, while continuing to hold the brake, punches the gas pedal. Punch, immediately releasing the gas. You shouldn't see much movement of the engine at all. If it moves, or if it ''comes up outa there'', they're shot.

Okay, I did this test for bad motor mounts, and the engine moves very little. See this video: https://youtu.be/Ed3Ex-j2g6c



Does this look like bad motor mounts?

I've seen a few complaints of this trait on m54's that seem to have no apparent cause.

Maybe a characteristic of a combination of factors in the driveline as the car ages?

I've seen some references to increasing idle a bit via GT1/INPA that reduces/eliminates this.

It looks to me that you have the left side mount shot which is very common btw because it handles a lot of stress.

Maybe someone else can tell you for sure.

If you have more than 120,000 miles on the vehicle... replace the mounts. This is the exact symptoms I am experiencing in my 4.4i, same as in my 2001 330i, and be glad you have the 3.0. MUCH easier to replace them with the M54 as opposed to the v8's.

It does seem highly likely - mine made an annoying buzz through the dashboard while idling at the lights - had the mounts done and it was smooth as silk again.