idle control valve

1985 735i, 60K original miles

I recently picked up a 1985 735i from auction for $2200 (sat for a loooong time). Found a guy who worked only on BMWs and he did a great job of getting her back to GREAT running order for a really fair price. He changed the theromstat, hood shocks, did a valve adjustment, front brakes, tune-up, fuel filter, coolant flush and general cleaning for just under $600. Which is about the cost "Just Brakes" quoted me for the brakes alone.

Here's the question. It idles rough and he said the idle control valve has siezed up. He said fortunately it siezed up close to the correct position allowing the car to idle...albiet a little rough. It's tolerable and the car runs like a dream once you are driving. He said he could replace it, but it was quite an expensive part...and for the price I paid for the car I might just want to live with a rough idle.

How much are we talking?

I also own a 1985 735i and I bought it with the idle going up and down, as if you were revving it up repeatedly with the accelerator. The guy i bought it from said it just needed a idle control valve, so I went and spent $109 at Autozone and installed it myself and that took care of the problem. It's simple to install too, it's right on top of the engine. Just connect two hoses and a wire harness. You might be able to get it cheaper on E-Bay if you want to go the used parts route.

thanks for that info. This guy doesn't like to use aftermarket parts b/c he said they just don't play well with these german cars. How do ya'll feel about aftermarket parts? $109 doesn't seem bad at all.

Yeah, some mechanics are that way, it's not their money so who cares, right? An idle control valve from a dealer would cost a gazillion dollars. I've had no trouble with the one I put on my car and I'm about to put an oxygen sensor on it and when I do, it's going to be aftermarket. Just make sure you don't use a mechanic to install the idle control valve, it's amazingly easy. He's going to charge you his one-hour minumum and it's going to take him 3 minutes and the other 57 minutes will be gravy.