My 2008 with 1600 miles makes the clicking sound too.. Comes from the passenger side of the engine and doesn't happen all the time. It is pretty noticable. I have just made an appointment with service regarding it. I guess its not just me!

update on the ticking
 

I know this thread is kind of old, but I just wanted to update you on the ticking in my 2008 3.0 x5. It has been to the dealer 3 times already for this problem. They state the ticking is from the vacuum assembly on the head/valve covers. They tried to "bleed off and recharge" the assembly 3 times with the ticking returning after a few days. They finally admit that there is a known issue with this and there is a fix for certain 2007/2008 3.0's that fall into a run of VIN's (mine being one of them). They have to replace the head with an updated version. It will take 3 days at the dealer. So, if you have a ticking coming from the passengerside engine of your 60G vehicle, don't let them tell you thats normal. Cause its not.

Is it just for 3.0, or 4.8's as well?

I didn't ask, but he mentioned "3.0" because thats what I have.

On my 3.0si it starts up and idles very smooth and quietly.

On the other hand, the X3 3.0si starts up very very rough. Sometimes I release the key too early (and I give it plenty of time) and it does not start.

the 4.8i seems to breath real rough when it starts. (its not quite uniform sounding like the other american v8s per se.) i blame it on valvetronic and just live with it. not the most pleasant sounding engine when idling.

Just an update on this "ticking" from the engine. After 6 trips to the dealer (they were able to repro the ticking on the first 2 visits and not able to on the following 4 visits) the car is now in the shop for the 7th time with other symptoms. It has stalled while pulling out into traffic and starts very roughly. The dealer called me and said "we were able to reproduce the sound and its not normal..." (uuuuhhhhh ya think!!!!!). They are working with engineers at BMWUSA and believe the problem is something to do with the cylinder head. While I am waiting, they gave me another MY08 loaded x5 off the lot to use.

would be good to know the range of VINs effected.

+1 pls

They werent able to give me the VIN's because they found out mine was "upgraded" in production at the factory and already had the new head.