engine knocking
 

When i start my 4.4i 2001 up in the morning it makes a knocking noise for about 3 seconds,sounds like the engine has no oil then goes away after like 3 seconds.
The X is in for a rocker gasket and service tomorrow,just wondering whether to ask them to check this out,or if someone can tell me what causes this as I'm sure they are gonna charge me for diagnostic work on top. my car has got 88,000miles i use only fully synthetic oil(5w-40 i think).

I have that too, and have been working to get rid of it. It can be attributed to a few different things. Searching the forum shows various people saying that bad VANOS, belt tensioners, chain tensioners, low initial oil pressure, etc...have created their start up knocking/rattle.

Mine definitely sounds like it's related to oil presure at start up. Changing to a BMW OE oil filter and proper oil helped mine quite a bit, as mine came from the PO with incorrect (non-syn) oil and aftermarket filter. If you are not using the BMW OE oil filter, try it as the BMW filter helps prevent some of the oil drain back that can occur with other oil filters.

If it sounds like "marbles in a can" then check out this link for a discussion from an E39 board where people with the same M62 engines in the 540i are trying to resolve the problem by changing the chain tensioner.

It looks like some of the E39 people had 100% success with the new chain tensioners. I have had 3 BMW's before the X5, but the X is my first M62 engine, so maybe someone with more M62 experience can help.

quick update
 

thanx for the info man......
just picked up the x today aFTER its service and rocker gaskets,started it up from cold and hey presto no noise.Only time will tell:D

i have that problem too, i think its from the oil when the X is parked for a while the oil drains to the bottom.
i use BMW filter and 0w40 M1 and the sound got better thn 5w30 M1 that i use to use b4. here is a lil trick, before u start the X, turn the the key to position 2 (where all the Xmas lights turn on the dash without turning on the engine) wait about 5 seconds or lil more and start the X. that way u got some oil goin up the engine and the knock wont be there when u start the engine. GL and let me know how it goes :)