Z3 M any issues ?
Discussion
IMO.....
Vanos is an overhyped issue, amplified by the horror stories you hear on a forum and the arrogance of BMW GB to replace many Vanos Units for no 'real' reason.
There are two parts which can be replaced and which give symptoms of potential problems- the Gears and the Solenoids.
My Z3M is not silent but then there are not many cars that are totally vanos growl free. Three mates have Z3M Coupes as well, and are running non original Vanos units and theirs are by no means quiet!
The Dealers replaced Vanos units under warranty, to:
1) Make money from Warranty work
2) Unecessarily because of gear noise - to keep punters happer(even though the noise may return).
From doing some research into the issue, many dealers replaced the Vanos when it became noisy but not because of any failures......soi it is hard to judge the amount of actual failures.
There are clearly instances when the Vanos unit sheared off the its bolts due to lack of tensile strength - Owners with cars dumping their oil onto the floor, but BMW recognised this fact and think that replacement of strengthened bolts is the solution. But IMO one change of bolts isnt enough. The pressure and vibration the unit receives means it could happen again, easily.
Also, the vanos screw/filter needs to be changed regularly.
Also, my mate actually had replacement bolts, 27k old and luckily his unit sheared off on his driveway. Lucky beggar! Could have been a lot worse!Oil all over the place but luckily he could switch the car off....
Anyway.
I carry a spare set of Bolts in my glove box just in case.
I think that BMW have attempted to mask an inherant fault with their Vanos units in S50 engines and they *should* really be fixing it FOC.
But, hopefully my Vanos will not fail.......
Rags
Vanos is an overhyped issue, amplified by the horror stories you hear on a forum and the arrogance of BMW GB to replace many Vanos Units for no 'real' reason.
There are two parts which can be replaced and which give symptoms of potential problems- the Gears and the Solenoids.
My Z3M is not silent but then there are not many cars that are totally vanos growl free. Three mates have Z3M Coupes as well, and are running non original Vanos units and theirs are by no means quiet!
The Dealers replaced Vanos units under warranty, to:
1) Make money from Warranty work
2) Unecessarily because of gear noise - to keep punters happer(even though the noise may return).
From doing some research into the issue, many dealers replaced the Vanos when it became noisy but not because of any failures......soi it is hard to judge the amount of actual failures.
There are clearly instances when the Vanos unit sheared off the its bolts due to lack of tensile strength - Owners with cars dumping their oil onto the floor, but BMW recognised this fact and think that replacement of strengthened bolts is the solution. But IMO one change of bolts isnt enough. The pressure and vibration the unit receives means it could happen again, easily.
Also, the vanos screw/filter needs to be changed regularly.
Also, my mate actually had replacement bolts, 27k old and luckily his unit sheared off on his driveway. Lucky beggar! Could have been a lot worse!Oil all over the place but luckily he could switch the car off....
Anyway.
I carry a spare set of Bolts in my glove box just in case.
I think that BMW have attempted to mask an inherant fault with their Vanos units in S50 engines and they *should* really be fixing it FOC.
But, hopefully my Vanos will not fail.......
Rags
My second Z3M suffered from intermittant DSC problems. DSC would disengage itself and it would not be possible to re-engage. Sadly, after numerous attempts by the dealer and a week at BMW GB, the fault could not be rectified at which point the dealer and I came to an mutually agreed arrangement.
(I didn't mind runing without the DSC if I wanted a bit of fun, but if the car got stuffed on the M25 in the pouring rain and I would prefer not to have an argument with the insurance company about why the traction control wwas switched off.)
(I didn't mind runing without the DSC if I wanted a bit of fun, but if the car got stuffed on the M25 in the pouring rain and I would prefer not to have an argument with the insurance company about why the traction control wwas switched off.)
Been over today to look over a 2000 model with 68000 on the clock full BMW service history ,started and run very well when it was warm it ticked over like a sewing machine wife absolutly loved it ,only issue i could find was some of the badges had faded !!!! anyone want to buy a Fiesta ST !!!!!
I had one for 6 months and thoroughly enjoyed it.
A really lovely car to drive, fuel consumption tended to be between 21 - 26mpg, which was reasonable.
I had no issues with my Vanos, just let the oil warm up before your using your lead foot.
Only reason I sold mine was because I just wasn't getting enough use of it (living in London)
One thing to watch (aside from the Vanos & subframe) can be the seat rivets. These went on my Z3M and BMW happily charged me £130 to replace each bolt!
Inspection 2 service on the S50 isn't cheap, ranges from £670 - £1000!
Buy one, you won't be sorry
A really lovely car to drive, fuel consumption tended to be between 21 - 26mpg, which was reasonable.
I had no issues with my Vanos, just let the oil warm up before your using your lead foot.
Only reason I sold mine was because I just wasn't getting enough use of it (living in London)
One thing to watch (aside from the Vanos & subframe) can be the seat rivets. These went on my Z3M and BMW happily charged me £130 to replace each bolt!
Inspection 2 service on the S50 isn't cheap, ranges from £670 - £1000!
Buy one, you won't be sorry
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