4.4i idle vibration cause?
 

I have a 2004 X5 4.4i with 62,000 miles. I have been experiencing vibration from idle whether in neutral or drive since I purchased the vehicle some 5,000 miles ago. I have searched the many threads about this issue on this and other forums and been working my way through the various suggested remedies (new plugs, MAF cleaning, fuel cleaner, etc.) At 61,000 miles, I took the vehicle to my dealer for completion of remaining Inspection II items and a request to diagnose the idle vibration issue. Their initial findings were that the idle vibration was typical for the 4.4i and they increased the idle speed slightly to reduce the vibration. The technician apparently had second thoughts and looked at it again and determined that the steering pump was failing and causing the vibration. Does this seem like a viable cause? I have not noticed any issues with the steering and there is no change in the idle vibration when stopped from turning the steering wheel. Anyway, I would appreciate any comments from forum users before I would fork over more than $900 to the stealer for this repair. The dealer also reported that both Vanos seals on bank 2 were leaking and I believe this is accurate. Wouldn't leaking Vanos seals be a more likely cause of some minor idle speed variation and possible vibration? I do plan to have these seals replaced.

Let me thank everyone in advance as I am new X5 owner and have already benefitted from the great information on this forum! As you can see from my signature, we have become quite the BMW family.

Bob in Boise

Could be a vacuum leak or intake system leak,once I was getting stalls while coming to stop along some rough IDLE it resulted to be an intake boot getting loose on both sides(MAF and Intake port on the engine itself)
After I've tighten it everything came to normal,in my case some mechanic forgot to tighten the bolts properly,I was glad to discover that.
Check for leaks they are always causing this kind of issues.

I'll be back in town on the 27th. Contact me at 208-571-9392 and I'll help you diagnose your problem for free. I own a small BMW servicing repair shop, own two BMW's w/ the 4.4, so I can assist you in getting this solved. Mind you, I haven't updated pics in FOREVER, I need to change the layout of my site, etc but here ya go www.boisebimmer.webs.com

EDIT - I just read your signature...are you the same guy who came by last week to see if my 6 disc changer was compatible w/ your 325xi?

EDIT again - His name was Michael, sorry. Either way, feel free to get a hold of me after the 27th and I'll be glad to help ya out. Welcome to the boards BTW...I appreciate people who search before they jump into asking questions that may have already been answered. :)

James, thanks so much for your reply and offer. I have seen your many posts to this forum and was hoping we could get in touch since we're both here in the Boise area. I've owned the X5 for for just three months now and absolutely love it, in spite of a few issues. Have you had any experience with Peterson? They are the ones that "provided" me with a list of recommended repairs. I've done a couple already myself, but I certainly would value your opionions and suggestions on their diagnosis.

I'll get in touch with you after the the 27th.

Regards,

Bob (actually in Meridian!)

I've gone there once to have them read a DSC/ABS code for me before I purchased a reader to do it myself. I can't remember the guys name now, but I've spoken w/ a guy a few times at the dealership and ran into him at Barbacoa. He was initially a salesman, but moved into the service department. Other than that, I've gotten little pieces here and there when it was something I didn't wanna wait to purchase online and/or Import Parts Specialties didn't have in stock.

I actually live in Meridian as well, near Blackcar and Ustick, across the street from Cherry Lane golf course. All of the customers on my site represent about 20% of the customers that I've met in the Boise area after I decided to create the site and start the business, but I still need to take the time to include all the work I've done in Seattle over the years before I moved here.

Looking forward to meeting you down the road.