I think I read somewhere that eventually replacing the levers won't solve the problem. The problems are in the head itself (tolerance?) and eventually the heads need to be replaced.

Think very carefully. Do you live in a world that only produces quality parts and that they never need to be serviced or replaced, and that everything lasts forever?

Also, do you think that vehicle manufactures should never update their engines to comply with new emissions regulations, or design a new type of engine for the sake of innovation?

You must be that type of person that buys a new car, and has a problem with it, and then you complain that your old car never had that problem, or even that feature.

Thanks very much. appreciate it.

If i remember correctly, in 2011 they replaced all the intermediate levers ---even the ones that didnt show any issues ( the ones they put in 2010) . In 2010 they had replaced only some of them.


I do enjoy the ride, it runs flawlessly other than a couple of hiccups in winter

talked to service manager and then to my my adviser. When I asked my adviser if the repairs would be done under warranty, she said she didnt check it but it looks like manager would not charge me for repairs. They will pick my X5 tomorrow.

Thanks Killcrap for your help. WIll keep you guys posted.

Nope not a person that buys a new car. Was taught by my immigrant parents to live within my means. 100% down and no monthly payment or obscene
insurance rates for a new car. My X is 12 years old, my Porsche is 31 years old and my Lotuses are 43 years old.

I expect any manufacturers to make a reliable product within the price mean that they targeted their product for. Buying a luxury car such as a BMW and having problems just after the warranty expires tells me that they are only designing the car to last as long as the warranty (50,000 miles warranty, 60,000 miles intermediate levers replacement).

Telling customers that the ATF is life time and yet the transmission manufacturers that sells trans to BMW (ZF and GM) recommends fluid changes tells me that BMW don't want to include the trans. maintenance as part of their "FREE MAINTENANCE" program.

A lot of the problems with BMW could be the maintenance or lack of maintenance by BMW, who go 15,000 miles between oil change? Try getting an oil change before the "schedule" oil change and it's going to cost you a couple of hundred dollars.

I'm glad that you are on this forum and was able to help Kashmir with his problem. You seem to be the exception rather then the rule that most people see when they bring their cars into the dealership for repairs.

The older V8 (M62) didn't use the Valvetronic system, which the intermediate levers are a component of. The M62 uses a regular throttle body to control the airflow into the cylinders. The N62 uses variable intake valve lift to do that. The intermediate levers (and eccentric shafts) are the parts that adjust valve lift based on throttle position.

The benefits are better power and fuel economy for the N62. The downsides are, well, you know...

For everything you ever wanted to know about the N62, read this:

http://www.bawarec.ru/manuals/7er/e6...7er-e65-12.pdf

Thanks for the reply.

I found a site where the guy disabled his valvetronic system by disconnecting the eccentric shaft position sensor.
The VVT computer seeing that the sensor is missing will move the eccentric shaft to its maximum and use the throttle to control the engine. Might worth a try.

Here is the link:
Disable Valvetronic

update:

my x5 has been at the dealer for 2 weeks now. The only update I have received so far was about 10 days ago when my service adviser asked me if I ever noticed smoke on idle. Answer was in negative. He said they were in touch with BMW to resolve this issue. We have had brutal cold wave ( as low as 5 F) over last one week. Hopefully they had enough opportunity to test it.