VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3?

maveric23 · Mon, Feb-07-2011, 04:30:28 PM

The E46 M3's engine is equipped with step-less High-Pressure Double VANOS which varies valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power output throughout the rev range for better performance, improved fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. However, there are a number of problems associated with the VANOS that can lead to costly repairs. There are 4 main VANOS failures (here's a related poll):

Here is the poll question for E46 M3 owners: All things considered, do you wish that High-Pressure Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3?

Please, only respond to this poll if you've owned an E46 M3 for at least 6 months. Please feel free to elaborate about your selection here. Thanks!

Jonathan 90 M3 · Mon, Feb-07-2011, 04:53:37 PM

You do realize that the vast majority of M3s on the road have not had VANOS issues, right? Don't let the forum hype get to you.

Most people who daily these cars would hate the type of power delivery that an old school ///M engine would have.

Foo2rama · Mon, Feb-07-2011, 05:31:30 PM

Doh worded it weird... The one vote for "No, I have had a VANOS problem but I think that the benefits outweigh the costs" should be in the bottom, as I have had no issues.

As for vanos being bad, the larger issue is the high pressure vanos that we have, which is now a low pressure vanos system in the new cars. The lower pressure system is a tad more reliable.

As for removing dual vanos entirely? Well have fun with your lower torque and lower HP engine. You would not be able to get the torque curve and HP out of this engine without it.

EricSMG · Mon, Feb-07-2011, 06:18:59 PM

The VANOS is what defines this motor's flat, long torque curve. Without VANOS, you can't have good low-mid and top end... you only get to pick one or the other.

So, no, I don't wish that we didn't have double VANOS.... the car would not be same.

hogger453 · Mon, Feb-07-2011, 06:51:14 PM

Wouldn't change a thing. Besides, if the Vanos does go it is very easy to work on.

maveric23 · Fri, Feb-11-2011, 09:41:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricSMG

The VANOS is what defines this motor's flat, long torque curve. Without VANOS, you can't have good low-mid and top end... you only get to pick one or the other.

So, no, I don't wish that we didn't have double VANOS.... the car would not be same.

Yeah, but I'm not sure if it outweighs the potential costs of fixing VANOS failures.

My VANOS actuator failed and I did not notice a material difference in daily driving from when it was fully functioning. I ran it up to 6,000 rpms too.

I think I might be happier with a fixed camshaft design where I didn't have to worry about the VANOS. Even after fixing my actuator, there's a chance of another VANOS failure!

JREEVES197 · Fri, Feb-11-2011, 10:27:26 PM

No, I like the performance(when its working) I just wish the engineers would go back to the drawing board tomorrow and fix the fing issues.

StevoTheHobo · Fri, Feb-11-2011, 10:45:18 PM

Does anyone know what the mechanical differences are between the newer double-VANOS systems (e.g. - in an N52 or N54) versus the double-VANOS in the S54 besides the S54 using a high pressure oil system? Also, I think BMW could have designed the cam gear bolts and cam sprockets better so that we wouldn't have seen the failures that we have.

suaveflooder · Fri, Feb-11-2011, 10:48:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan 90 M3

You do realize that the vast majority of M3s on the road have not had VANOS issues, right? Don't let the forum hype get to you.

Most people who daily these cars would hate the type of power delivery that an old school ///M engine would have.

I don't think that he does. All he does is post in the vanos threads it seems. Kinda funny actually. I don't think he will ever truly enjoy his car because he is too worried about potential failure.

Could these problems happen to my car? Absolutely. Am I worried about them? No. I am prepared as every person who owns a luxury sports car should be. These aren't cheap cars! Something breaks, expect to spend a pretty penny fixing it.

Don't own a car that you can't fix if the need arises. That's why the honda civic exists.

ch0pst1x88 · Fri, Feb-11-2011, 11:08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

I don't think that he does. All he does is post in the vanos threads it seems. Kinda funny actually. I don't think he will ever truly enjoy his car because he is too worried about potential failure.

Could these problems happen to my car? Absolutely. Am I worried about them? No. I am prepared as every person who owns a luxury sports car should be. These aren't cheap cars! Something breaks, expect to spend a pretty penny fixing it.

Don't own a car that you can't fix if the need arises. That's why the honda civic exists.

hahaha good thing i have one just in case the M breaks down on me

View Poll Results: If you own an E46 M3, do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3?
Yes, I have had a VANOS problem and I think that the costs outweigh the benefits	19	14.62%
Yes, I have not had a VANOS problem but I think that the potential costs outweigh the benefits	29	22.31%
No, I have had a VANOS problem but I think that the benefits outweigh the costs	18	13.85%
No, I have not had a VANOS problem and I think that the benefits outweigh the potential costs	64	49.23%
Voters: 130. You may not vote on this poll

Mon, Feb-07-2011, 04:30:28 PM	#1
maveric23 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,527 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Santa Monica	VANOS Poll: Do you wish that High-Pressure Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? The E46 M3's engine is equipped with step-less High-Pressure Double VANOS which varies valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power output throughout the rev range for better performance, improved fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. However, there are a number of problems associated with the VANOS that can lead to costly repairs. There are 4 main VANOS failures (here's a related poll): VANOS solenoid VANOS actuator VANOS oil pump drive tabs on the exhaust cam gear sprocket/spline hub VANOS intake cam gear bolts Here is the poll question for E46 M3 owners: All things considered, do you wish that High-Pressure Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? Please, only respond to this poll if you've owned an E46 M3 for at least 6 months. Please feel free to elaborate about your selection here. Thanks! __________________ Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed? Vote! 2004 Silver Gray/Black M3 Convertible Last edited by maveric23; Mon, Mar-21-2011 at 08:44:51 PM.

Mon, Feb-07-2011, 04:53:37 PM	#2
Jonathan 90 M3 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Age: 30 Posts: 325 Reputation: 0 Location: DFW	Re: VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? You do realize that the vast majority of M3s on the road have not had VANOS issues, right? Don't let the forum hype get to you. Most people who daily these cars would hate the type of power delivery that an old school ///M engine would have. __________________ '05 E46 M3 Imolarot/Cinnamon - CURRENT '98 E36 M3 Estorilblau/Dove - SOLD '90 E30 M3 Brilliantrot/Black - SOLD

Mon, Feb-07-2011, 05:31:30 PM	#3
Foo2rama 2004 E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 36 Posts: 4,248 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Costa Mesa	Re: VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? Doh worded it weird... The one vote for "No, I have had a VANOS problem but I think that the benefits outweigh the costs" should be in the bottom, as I have had no issues. As for vanos being bad, the larger issue is the high pressure vanos that we have, which is now a low pressure vanos system in the new cars. The lower pressure system is a tad more reliable. As for removing dual vanos entirely? Well have fun with your lower torque and lower HP engine. You would not be able to get the torque curve and HP out of this engine without it. __________________ __________________ 2004 Mystic Blau Imola Rot ///M3 Coupe SMG Other Rides 73- 240z - L28 Block w e31 heads - prepping as a track toy 95- Legend Coupe - C32A5 block - totaled while parked 96- Dodge Ram 4x4 5.9 - totaled while parked in a seperate incident

Mon, Feb-07-2011, 06:18:59 PM	#4
EricSMG 30 something Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,560 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	Re: VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? The VANOS is what defines this motor's flat, long torque curve. Without VANOS, you can't have good low-mid *and* top end... you only get to pick one or the other. So, no, I don't wish that we didn't have double VANOS.... the car would not be same. __________________ *'04 46M 6MT \|\| '01 330Ci 5MT*

Mon, Feb-07-2011, 06:51:14 PM	#5
hogger453 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,735 In the garage: '13 AUDI A3 '90 FORD MUSTANG Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	Re: VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? Wouldn't change a thing. Besides, if the Vanos does go it is very easy to work on.

Fri, Feb-11-2011, 10:27:26 PM	#7
JREEVES197 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 116 Reputation: 0	Re: VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? No, I like the performance(when its working) I just wish the engineers would go back to the drawing board tomorrow and fix the fing issues.

Fri, Feb-11-2011, 10:45:18 PM	#8
StevoTheHobo Literally passes gas for a living Join Date: Aug 2010 Age: 24 Posts: 814 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Wichita	Re: VANOS Poll: Do you wish that Double VANOS never existed for the E46 M3? Does anyone know what the mechanical differences are between the newer double-VANOS systems (e.g. - in an N52 or N54) versus the double-VANOS in the S54 besides the S54 using a high pressure oil system? Also, I think BMW could have designed the cam gear bolts and cam sprockets better so that we wouldn't have seen the failures that we have. __________________ 2003.5 TiAg ///M3 "Betsy," Black Nappa interior 120,000 miles and counting Stuff done so far Intake: Macht Schnell elbow, aFe ProDry filter, RPI scoops Engine:Denso Iridium UX024 Exhaust: Supersprint V2 Stepped headers, CPI pipe w/ 200 cell cats Cooling: Rogue silicone coolant hoses, Updated OEM water pump Brakes: TMS SS brake lines, CSL rotors Suspension: Koni Sport + OEM springs, Meyle HD RSMs, OEM RTABs + TMS limiters, Rogue FCABs, TMS rear camber arms, Meyle HD front swaybar links Drivetrain: UUC shifter Chassis/Frame: TMS rear subframe reinforcement kit, TMS rear shock tower reinforcement plates Exterior: Seibon CSL-style CF trunk (painted in TiAg), EurosportDesign clear front reflectors, Depo LED front corners, Khoalty projector foglights, VMR VB3 gunmetal, black side and kidney grills Interior: Khoalty LED interior/trunk lights Stereo: Custom Clarion navigation install

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