MCoupe (breadvan) / VANOS / S54 questions...

[evenflow]

Done some searching and these topics have come up before but looking to get some up to date answers.

1. If a car has had the VANOS fix done, does it mean that it is fixed for good, or can it go again? What exactly is the problem and what is the fix for it?

2. What are the headline differences between S50 and S54 breadvans?

Thanks all.

[maahny]

The Vanos issue is overhyped in my opinion. BMW UK Dealers had the habit of replacing the Vanos if it got a bit noisy. As long as the car is still producing good power there is no need to replace the whole Vanos unit. You can change the Vanos filter with every oil change (something which was not on BMW service schedule) to help keep it in good condition.

The S54 has a bit more BHP, Traction Control and Drive by Wire throttle. There are no known Vanos "issues" on the S54.

There is lots more information on www.z3mcoupe.com 

[evenflow]

maahny said:

The Vanos issue is overhyped in my opinion. BMW UK Dealers had the habit of replacing the Vanos if it got a bit noisy. As long as the car is still producing good power there is no need to replace the whole Vanos unit. You can change the Vanos filter with every oil change (something which was not on BMW service schedule) to help keep it in good condition.

The S54 has a bit more BHP, Traction Control and Drive by Wire throttle. There are no known Vanos "issues" on the S54.

There is lots more information on www.z3mcoupe.com 

Thanks maahny - lovely example in your profile.
What exactly *is* a VANOS unit though? And once replaced, is that then done for good?
Does the drive by wire make much difference to the drive of the car?

[Raify]

evenflow said:

maahny said:

The Vanos issue is overhyped in my opinion. BMW UK Dealers had the habit of replacing the Vanos if it got a bit noisy. As long as the car is still producing good power there is no need to replace the whole Vanos unit. You can change the Vanos filter with every oil change (something which was not on BMW service schedule) to help keep it in good condition.

The S54 has a bit more BHP, Traction Control and Drive by Wire throttle. There are no known Vanos "issues" on the S54.

There is lots more information on www.z3mcoupe.com 

Thanks maahny - lovely example in your profile.
What exactly *is* a VANOS unit though? And once replaced, is that then done for good?
Does the drive by wire make much difference to the drive of the car?

The VANOS is effectively BMW's version of VTEC. Variable valve timing.

[maahny]

It was a nice example when it came out of the paintshop 3 years ago ;-)

I have driven both variants (mine is s50) and I would say that the S54 has sharper throttle response and actually feels a bit quicker. This is bourne out by the fact that S54 put down their quoted power on the dyno whereas the S50 make anywhere between 275-300 BHP.

Go for the youngest one you can. There are some good examples for sale at the moment.

With regards to the Vanos I have heard of BMW replacing more than once but then it comes to the point of whether they actually needed replacing or if BMW dealers were making money from warranty claims.

Mine is still on original Vanos after 68k of hard use.

Edited by maahny on Tuesday 27th November 17:50

[Neil.D]

The S54 has the E46 M3 engine from 2001 onwards. It has a different gearbox, again from the M3 and power is up to 325bhp opposed to 321. It has a shorter, revised exhaust hence why it doesnt make the M3 power. Torque is the same in both though.
The S54 has traction control and the same rev dials as.....yup, the M3.

In the later model, the VANOS is not so much of a worry, but if the early E46 M3's were anything to go buy it needed a recall to change something in the bottom end I think. Make sure thats been done.
Other than that, I dont think there is much difference.

[maahny]

The two have the same 5 speed gear box.

The reason why the S54 "allegedly" has a lower BHP rating than the E46 M3 is because the rev limit is set lower. This is also the reason why the S54 Z3MC was not subject to a recall for bearing shells that the E46 M3 was. BMW have stated that there is no need for it because the rev limit is lower but there have been one on z3mcoupe.com members cars which they are speaking to BMW about at the moment.

In reality the S54 engined Z's (z3m's and z4m's) have put down the same if not more than E46 M3's on our dyno.

[Setch993]

Hi

Have a look at this:

http://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253...

Definitive stuff from the boys who know.