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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > Cheap VANOS Solenoids



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      01-12-2016, 08:17 PM   #1
sheaski23
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Cheap VANOS Solenoids

Need to purchase a couple of Vanos solenoids to replace on my N54. Looking on amazon these seem too cheap to be true? has any had any experience with these solenoids? my guess is they are not genuine bmw therefor cheaper nd also possibly not as reliable.

http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Choice-A...vanos+solenoid
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      01-12-2016, 08:24 PM   #2
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I wouldn't mess with cheap aftermarket versions of vanos solenoids. At 100 each they're not that bad, just buy Bmw brand.
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      01-12-2016, 10:52 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheaski23
Need to purchase a couple of Vanos solenoids to replace on my N54. Looking on amazon these seem too cheap to be true? has any had any experience with these solenoids? my guess is they are not genuine bmw therefor cheaper nd also possibly not as reliable.

http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Choice-A...vanos+solenoid
Or just try cleaning your old ones
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      01-13-2016, 12:01 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian2485 View Post
Or just try cleaning your old ones
Yep, tried that, problem wasnt fixed.

These solenoids are not as cheap for me as you may imagine. I live in NZ so its a little more expensive. My BMW specialist quoted me 600 for two solenoids. I know i can get them cheaper online hence why im looking on amazon. But with exchange rates at the moment its still not as cheap as what a part like this is worth. Gonna have to bite the bullet. Could be worse.
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      01-13-2016, 11:58 AM   #5
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On a vehicle where all the oem parts/sensors are so poorly designed, what's the risk in an aftermarket part? If anything they might improve on the original design.
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      01-13-2016, 12:11 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Milan View Post
On a vehicle where all the oem parts/sensors are so poorly designed, what's the risk in an aftermarket part? If anything they might improve on the original design.
My thoughts exactly. Clearly the OEM part is not very good. Installation time/cost aside, even if the aftermarket solenoid lasted 1/3 of the miles it would cost the same as the OEM solenoids. Changing VANOS solenoids is pretty easy, 20 minutes tops for both.
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      01-13-2016, 12:19 PM   #7
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I wouldn't try aftermarket for THAT part, unless others had tried it and it worked. Maybe if it was an OEM supplier and was being sold outside of BMW, like the Rock Auto injectors. It's just too much of a risk imo with the path that the solenoids are in. If a small piece came off or something stupid there's a lot of spots in the oil channels for something to get stuck that you can't get to.

OP, have you checked RealOEM?
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      01-13-2016, 01:56 PM   #8
sheaski23
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^ no I'll look it up now though.

Whilst that part doesn't have many reviews there is a slightly dearer part on there that has about 15 reviews and almost all of them are positive.
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      01-13-2016, 03:27 PM   #9
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Also, are they both bad? You can replace them independently of each other, if you didn't know already. Probably better to replace as a pair, but it would get you by at least.
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      01-26-2017, 11:13 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheaski23 View Post
Need to purchase a couple of Vanos solenoids to replace on my N54. Looking on amazon these seem too cheap to be true? has any had any experience with these solenoids? my guess is they are not genuine bmw therefor cheaper nd also possibly not as reliable.

http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Choice-A...vanos+solenoid

Did you ever get the issue solved ? Did you go the cheap route or buy the OEM ? Really debating on what I should do as well
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      02-01-2017, 09:45 AM   #11
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I bought 2 of the amazon ones from Auto Parts Prodigy. I haven't pushed the car to WOT yet. I recently had a vanos code (exhaust) with the half CEL light so that is the reason I went and replaced both.
https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Variab...vanos+solenoid

I did the install without having to take the engine cover off. I also don't have oil cooler ones so I had room. Don't drop the hex bolt!
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      02-01-2017, 10:58 AM   #12
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I was having vanos codes and tried cleaning them and did not make any difference, I topped my oil wich was around half mark on electronic gauge and never had any vanos code again...
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      02-01-2017, 12:28 PM   #13
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I bought those VANOS solenoids from Amazon. They've been in about two months (~1500 miles) and are working perfectly so far. How long will they last? Probably longer than OEM BMW injectors or OEM BMW water pumps but if not, they are very easy to replace.
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      02-01-2017, 03:55 PM   #14
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I also got the Auto Parts Prodigy ones, but from eBay. I put them in last summer. Got some codes after putting them in, did an adaptation reset and they've been working fine since. I'm not sure the exact mileage, but I've put over 15,000 with no problems all while running MHD stage 1 (technically part of that was on a similar to stage 1 tune).
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      02-01-2017, 04:22 PM   #15
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Tried cleaning didn't work. Bought cheap ones on Amazon, didn't work. Bought OEMs from FCP because of lifetime warranty, instantly fixed my issues.
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      02-01-2017, 04:41 PM   #16
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Cleaned mine and it worked for a while then the code came back. Bought some Dorman's from RockAuto as recommended by another user in another thread and no problems so far after 3 or so months. Quality looked on par with OEM.
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      02-03-2017, 10:01 AM   #17
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Been running a Dorman ($70) for about 2 years and no issues.
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      02-19-2018, 03:57 PM   #18
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I'm curious if cheap VANOS Solenoids can actually cause damage to more expensive parts. I see that hundreds of them have sold on ebay from some seller and haven't heard any horror stories, so I figure they can't be that bad.

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, I just figured it would be better then starting a new cheap vanos thread.

All input is appreciated.
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      02-19-2018, 09:45 PM   #19
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No, not really. A solenoid is a solenoid.
It has to fit in the hole. Have a base spring load . a pull off load and travel distance.

It might react slower if it has deposits but if it actuates, a new one from anyone should work as well as factory
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Last edited by 335e92tx; 02-20-2018 at 12:21 PM..
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      02-20-2018, 11:25 AM   #20
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I have some uses OEM ones with less than 60k miles.. will sell for cheap if you're interested.
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      02-20-2018, 02:10 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo View Post
Been running a Dorman ($70) for about 2 years and no issues.
4y, 35k, no issues. Both two Dorman for less than $100 on Ebay
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      02-26-2018, 02:59 PM   #22
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I found a pair of Vaico VANOS Solenoids for $70 shipped. I will let you know how it goes.
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