I think I'm looking at replacing my VANOS solenoids. Any recommendations for which ones to purchase? Are the Mini OEM solenoids worth the 2x premium in cost? Or should I just get whatever from RockAuto?

 

I'm all about rockauto.com. just make sure you double check the part numbers.

 

Right here: 11368610388 is the oem part number. You can trust our parts and if you have an issue we are here. I would just watch out on rock auto they confuse the Gen 1 and Gen 2 MINIs all the time on part-year overlaps. They get their info from data dumps and it's not the cleanest. At one point they had all the gen 1 Valeo kits under 2007+ R56 MINIs, people kept ordering and posting up they got the wrong clutch. So just be careful.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-location.html

 

I bought aftermarket replacement solenoid for two of my 09MCS, so far so good, both more than a year old.

 

Yep, just make sure you get the updated unit with the screens. The older part units that other people might sell might not have the screens, it needs them to protect the system from crud and stuff

 

Thanks guys. I just ordered these:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...503352&jsn=250

I've been getting a random exhaust VANOS code in the morning for first start of the day, so I'll replace that one first. If this helps, then I'll be replacing the intake one.

 

Saturday afternoon was nice out, so I swapped out the solenoids and changed the spark plugs. The actual process for changing them out wasn't too bad. The intake side was in a tight spot, and I dropped the screw once trying to get it started. Overall, a simple pull and replace job.

Initial impression: cold start this morning seemed to be a little bit smoother. I had no code, but it was intermittent before, so... Had a little bit of cold drive power delivery surging. Not sure if it was related to the solenoids being changed out or not, but it was there.