AMAZING X5 LOVE IT OR HATE IT
 

Just completed replacing my D.Vanos and six plugs. What a great experience. This X has 220K miles and I know this was the first time the Vanos have been replaced. The hardest part was getting the darn clutch fan off. First days out this thing ran like a charm. Smooth, fast acceleration like when it was young. BUT, the SES light has come on and off over the past couple of weeks. It's currenlty off. BUT I notice and odd vibration at idle when first started, it's like a wobble, like the engine is wobbling back and forth. As soon as I add load and drive off it's gone. I notice a loudness and rumble but I believe that's the tires, they're beyond their half life. The SES code was exhaust selonoid, that's why I finally did the Vanos seals. Question: What else should I look at? I cleaned the MAF and T.body. Running temp is perfect. Warmed it idles smoothly. NO OIL BURNING. And the replaced plugs were all toasted, coconut,beige.And no oil residue on the plugs. I super cleaned the Vanos unit. What am I missing?
I want to get 234567.8910 miles on this baby.

Removing a fan clutch is a 5 minutes job. Never had any problem with my X when I needed to remove the fan.

Even though the SES light is off, a pending fault code might be logged in with one of the module/computer. Do a scan and see if any code is pending.

Check your engine mounts, they could be bad.

You should look at the exhaust side vanos solenoid and valve spool. Might be sticky.