Febi

[NB92325]

Morning all. Sorry to spam this forum with daily questions but at least it's not asking advice about what car to buy

I think it's almost time to replace the vanos solenoids on my e92 325i and I have prices from BMW (R6700 for the set of two).

Goldwagen sell Febi solenoids for half the price of BMW's OEM, but I can't find any reviews on them. I know this is a critical engine part and obviously OEM is ideal, but I also know for example Pierburg solenoids have a very good reputation (but can't find them locally), so clearly there are alternatives.

Beeline sells some weird Chinesium ones for R800 but that's out of the question. Febi generally at least has a good name (or at least had one).

So my question is just whether anyone has experience with Febi solenoids for the N52 platform?

As always, thanks!

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[Benji]

I have generally had terrible experiences with Febi parts - specifically brake discs and electronics. I unfortunately had to install one Febi tie-rod on my E39 (vs OE Lemforder on the other side) so it will make an interesting comparison in longevity for a relatively easily replaceable part. Blueprint is supposed to be the "cheap" version of Febi, god knows how terrible that must be!

When it comes to electronics, it has to be OEM or OE.

 

[M3boi]

I have generally had terrible experiences with Febi parts - specifically brake discs and electronics. I unfortunately had to install one Febi tie-rod on my E39 (vs OE Lemforder on the other side) so it will make an interesting comparison in longevity for a relatively easily replaceable part. Blueprint is supposed to be the "cheap" version of Febi, god knows how terrible that must be!

When it comes to electronics, it has to be OEM or OE.

100% agree.

I'm all for using Goldwagen for parts but when it comes to sensors/solenoids/critical engine parts, always best to stick with OEM/OE.

 

[VinceM]

I have generally had terrible experiences with Febi parts - specifically brake discs and electronics. I unfortunately had to install one Febi tie-rod on my E39 (vs OE Lemforder on the other side) so it will make an interesting comparison in longevity for a relatively easily replaceable part. Blueprint is supposed to be the "cheap" version of Febi, god knows how terrible that must be!

When it comes to electronics, it has to be OEM or OE.

Ditto:

For what you want to do, BMW or Original BMW part manufacturer who sells to other distributers and retailers.

I think is made by Pierburg for BMW.


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[husaindindar]

Hi...

What makes you say its almost time to replace the solenoids?
Are they giving issues? Any symptoms?

If there are no issues and you are just chaning them for maintennace sake, I would just say give them a good clean and clean out the filter on the side.

I would much rather spend that money on a water pump. That can leave you on the side of the road when it randomly fails!

 

[NB92325]

Hi...

What makes you say its almost time to replace the solenoids?
Are they giving issues? Any symptoms?

If there are no issues and you are just chaning them for maintennace sake, I would just say give them a good clean and clean out the filter on the side.

I would much rather spend that money on a water pump. That can leave you on the side of the road when it randomly fails!

Hi

I'm not getting any errors, but I cleaned the solenoids, replaced the seals with OEM seals, and cleaned the non-return valves (all documented on this forum). I did it because it was good practice, but I also get a jumpy rev every now and again on cold starts i.e. the car will start fine and then for about 5 seconds the rev counter will fluctuate between 1000rpm and 1800rpm and then settle at 900rpm before then settling at about 600rpm.

Everything I've read says check-valves, but as I said I cleaned them a few weeks ago (they were insanely dirty).

I've also read that solenoids should be done at around 160-170k which is where my car is now, but again - don't fix what isn't broken? I don't get any other symptoms and no errors.

So ja, I'm just trying to build up a knowledge base for the car so that if and when I do need to do something I know immediately what to do and where to go.

And seeing as Pierburg is not available directly (i.e. non-dealership) in SA as far as I can tell I guess then it's not worth rolling the dice on other aftermarket options.

The radiator and coolant lines were done earlier this year so I suppose waterpump is not a bad call as solid preventative option as I don't think that's been done yet.

 

[husaindindar]

Doesn't sound like a Vanos solenoid issue. When I had Vanos solenoid issues, I had lack of performance. I'm just concerned that 6-7k is a big amount to throw at a hit or miss.
It will also store a code on the DME if the solenoids are bad. The Vanos gear wont reach the target position requested by the DME because of the bad solenoid. This will definately store a code on the DME and will be some code about the Vanos, but not throw an engine light. Any codes come up on a diagnostic? (A propper diagnostic with Carley or ISTA, not the app store apps that sometimes dont read all the codes).

What you could look into, is the PCV/CCV system. When they go bad, they do cause rev hunting. Check all the pipes and the vaccum on the oil cap with engine running.


And yeah, if you got 7k to throw at the car, do the water pump. Those things leave u stranded on the side.....

 

[NB92325]

Doesn't sound like a Vanos solenoid issue. When I had Vanos solenoid issues, I had lack of performance. I'm just concerned that 6-7k is a big amount to throw at a hit or miss.
It will also store a code on the DME if the solenoids are bad. The Vanos gear wont reach the target position requested by the DME because of the bad solenoid. This will definately store a code on the DME and will be some code about the Vanos, but not throw an engine light. Any codes come up on a diagnostic? (A propper diagnostic with Carley or ISTA, not the app store apps that sometimes dont read all the codes).

What you could look into, is the PCV/CCV system. When they go bad, they do cause rev hunting. Check all the pipes and the vaccum on the oil cap with engine running.


And yeah, if you got 7k to throw at the car, do the water pump. Those things leave u stranded on the side.....

Thanks for this.

Ja I'll see when I have some time if I can get a tech to run a proper diagnostic on it. It had a proper one done 6000km ago, but can't hurt doing it again.

As for PCV I'll check - there's none of that typical whistling that I've read accompanies a failing PCV though.

For now I'll let sleeping dogs lie and not throw parts at the car just because BMW Doctor said so

 

[PaKiMoNSTeR]

I have generally had terrible experiences with Febi parts - specifically brake discs

Not sure about the discs but I use the pads for the race car and they last and perform quite well. I have not had any issues with them.

 

[VinceM]

Not sure about the discs but I use the pads for the race car and they last and perform quite well. I have not had any issues with them.

Its a hit and miss.

1) I have used Febi pads and had no problems.

2) I have seen their control arms last less than a year as well as their shock mounts giving up prematurely vs BMW that could last many years.


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