Hi j.belknap, do you think that is the problem then? Have you come across this problem with your x5? Thanks

See this link from an E39 forum for another source of startup noise on the M62, and a potential fix.

Probably, and yes. BUT, I am doing the chain tensioner parts at the same time.

These are the VANOS parts...

Cylinder Head Attached Parts [11-15] FOR VANOS
8 non-return valve QTY 2 11121706921 $16.11
9 O-ring13X1,5 QTY 2 11121706927 $0.58

Timing Gear Chain Top [11-25] FOR VANOS
1 Camshaft adjuster unit with imion QTY 2 11367515357 $520.38
2 DISTRIBUTION PIECE ZYL.1-4 QTY 1 11361433660 $54.68
2 DISTRIBUTION PIECE ZYL.5-8 QTY 1 11361433664 $54.68
3 Gasket Steel ZYL.1-4 QTY 1 11361705578 $6.08
3 Gasket Steel ZYL.5-8 QTY 1 11361705579 $6.08
9 Solenoid Valve (SOLV) QTY 2 11367524489 $178.00

EDIT: also add,

VANOS cam seals QTY 6 11311705512

Meltdown, thanks, that is a great link, I'm gonna do that for the sake of some small change out my pocket! A lot of the posts describe exactly what's happening with mine!

J.belknap thanks for the all that info, great help dude, if changing the tensioner doesn't work then I'm gonna show your info to my local indy and go from there!

J beat me to it, but it's definately the typical VANOS issues rearing their ugly heads. It can be anything from the VANOS to the timing belt tensioner. www.e38.org has TONS of information that is still related to the E53 since we share the same motor. More people need to start getting familiar w/ that site.

yeah im gonna try a new tensioner first and see what happens, after looking at that above link its defo worth a go, i got 90000 on my clock so might be worth doing anyway by the sounds of it, i didn't realise how easy it was to change... i thought that the e39 and e53 engine was the same and i think they stopped the m62 in the same year on both the x5 and e39, i think! :confused:

Hi, your better off submitting a new post on this site regarding your problem to get a better response... But my steering is fine and doesn't do what you have described with yours and I also have 20s

Just an update..put a new tensioner in this morning and all has been good so far...started it a few times today with no knocking for once..

good deal man! That VANOS stuff can get pricey... good to hear the tensioner was the cause

Cheers mate..I got a mechanic to do it in the end, and also changed my alternator belt for £40.00, he also looked over the car for me, I'm well chuffed with the result!