VANOS solenoid and Valvetronic motor faults
Attaches to N55 at engine level · Engine · carried by 5 variants across 5 chassis
Overview
VANOS solenoid and Valvetronic motor faults is a occasional fault recorded against N55 at engine level, typically from 120–200k km. It shows up as rough running, timing codes, occasional limp mode, tick from the top of the engine. Where it's documented, the repair runs €200–€600 (solenoids or motor at an independent, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be partly checked before you buy. 5 variants across 5 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Rough running, timing codes, occasional limp mode, tick from the top of the engine.
Cause. Solenoids clog with oil varnish; the Valvetronic motor wears.
How to check it
OBD scan
Scan for VANOS and Valvetronic codes including pending ones. Listen for ticking at idle once warm.
Mandatory. A seller who refuses a scan has answered the question.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 335i N55 | E90 | sedan | 2010–2011 | R3 | €11,700 | 3% |
| 335i N55 | E92 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,450 | 3% |
| 335i N55 | E93 | convertible | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,100 | 3% |
| 135i N55 | E82 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €12,600 | 3% |
| 135i N55 | E88 | convertible | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,300 | 3% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.