Discussion
Loads has been said about potential problems with the double vanos units on the e36 m3's and I've been warned that as the ZM Coupe (pre March 2001) uses the same engine this similarly should be checked.
Has this problem been solved in the e46 m3 as this engine has been developed since the vanos issue has come to light or are BMW still suffering warranty claims from e46 owners?
It's just that I've been looking for a ZM Coupe for over a month and can't find either a cosmos black or estoril blue one with a black interior and I've been offered an e46 for silly money
>>> Edited by AC79xxx on Tuesday 6th January 14:03
Has this problem been solved in the e46 m3 as this engine has been developed since the vanos issue has come to light or are BMW still suffering warranty claims from e46 owners?
It's just that I've been looking for a ZM Coupe for over a month and can't find either a cosmos black or estoril blue one with a black interior and I've been offered an e46 for silly money
>>> Edited by AC79xxx on Tuesday 6th January 14:03
I am not aware of any vanos problems with the e36 or e46 M3 or 3 series in general.
Fill me in or give me a link to research it myself. Of course there were a few e46's made around Nov. 2000 that had major engine failures.
See this link: http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm
These failures are limited to a low % or cars and had nothing to do with the vanos system. Valve phasing has been pretty well perfected by the Germs and the Japs. The e46 works on both the intake and exhaust unlike the e36. Some people say the vanos system may make a noise that is harmless but I've never heard it. It's -21 C or -6 F with snow where I am and the e36 M3 motor is running great. I only have 25k on the clock in a USA spec car. Snow tires are a must. The splitter at the front hasn't been ripped off by snow banks yet.(crossing fingers)
Fill me in or give me a link to research it myself. Of course there were a few e46's made around Nov. 2000 that had major engine failures.
See this link: http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm
These failures are limited to a low % or cars and had nothing to do with the vanos system. Valve phasing has been pretty well perfected by the Germs and the Japs. The e46 works on both the intake and exhaust unlike the e36. Some people say the vanos system may make a noise that is harmless but I've never heard it. It's -21 C or -6 F with snow where I am and the e36 M3 motor is running great. I only have 25k on the clock in a USA spec car. Snow tires are a must. The splitter at the front hasn't been ripped off by snow banks yet.(crossing fingers)
AC79xxx said:
Has this problem been solved in the e46 m3 as this engine has been developed since the vanos issue has come to light or are BMW still suffering warranty claims from e46 owners?
vanos sorted now...
not that many warranty claims except for the odd engine due to some pesky thing which does something to cylinder 4... im so technical...
sorted now though...
i have an 02 plate Roadster in estoril if thats any good?
Have you had a look at this, possibly one of the latest M Coupes and with the new engine:
www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=446
Anders, '99 M Coupe
>> Edited by rassi on Tuesday 6th January 19:46
www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=446
Anders, '99 M Coupe
>> Edited by rassi on Tuesday 6th January 19:46
ScoobyZoom said:
Has this problem been solved in the e46 m3 as this engine has been developed since the vanos issue has come to light or are BMW still suffering warranty claims from e46 owners?
vanos sorted now...
not that many warranty claims except for the odd engine due to some pesky thing which does something to cylinder 4... im so technical...
sorted now though...
i have an 02 plate Roadster in estoril if thats any good?
Cheers SZ but I'm not a big fan of the drop top - will probably have a nose around the e46 on sat 'cos I'm already fed up looking for a car.
ScoobyZoom said:
AC79xxx said:
....I've been looking for a ZM Coupe for over a month and can't find either a cosmos black or estoril blue one with a black interior
Don't you dare....the black/black one on the market with the right spec is mine
still working on it UTI!
OI!!
PiB said:
I am not aware of any vanos problems with the e36 or e46 M3 or 3 series in general.
The e46 works on both the intake and exhaust unlike the e36.
1. Fixture to head bolts wear weak on E36 M3 Evo's and were replaced by TSB at the dealer, Units are frequently failing from lack of replaced bolts/ worn drive pinions/ faulty seals/ faulty solenoids. Most E36 M3 Evo owners that I have spoken to have had one or more units FAIL.
2. E36 M3 Evo has Vanos control of overlap on both intake and exhaust!!!!
>> Edited by veetwin on Wednesday 7th January 12:36
>> Edited by veetwin on Wednesday 7th January 12:37
>> Edited by veetwin on Wednesday 7th January 12:38
Sorry PiB, just looked at your profile and have realised that you are States bound!!
The septics never got the S50 B32 engine in the E36 M3. You got an non 'M-power' engine based on a 328i block, no individual throttle bodies, single VANOS on the intake, different injetion and ECU basically a totally different engine. It has only been since the introduction of the E46 M3 in the States that you have finally received a real 'M' engine.
A lot of Septic M3 owners have imported their own S50 B32 engines from totalled cars over in Europe and fitted them as a conversion.
BMW basically didnt think that the car would sell very well and moreover, couldnt invest the time to adhere to the emissions laws over the pond, hence the bastardised 328 lump designated S52 B30 IIRC.
The S50 B32 has always had the VANOS as its achilles heel with most units being replaced by the manufacturer under warranty. Mine was knackered and finally replaced at a cost to me at £1600GBP. Not pleasant!!
As for the E46, I believe that the unit has been re-designed and is slightly more robust.
The septics never got the S50 B32 engine in the E36 M3. You got an non 'M-power' engine based on a 328i block, no individual throttle bodies, single VANOS on the intake, different injetion and ECU basically a totally different engine. It has only been since the introduction of the E46 M3 in the States that you have finally received a real 'M' engine.
A lot of Septic M3 owners have imported their own S50 B32 engines from totalled cars over in Europe and fitted them as a conversion.
BMW basically didnt think that the car would sell very well and moreover, couldnt invest the time to adhere to the emissions laws over the pond, hence the bastardised 328 lump designated S52 B30 IIRC.
The S50 B32 has always had the VANOS as its achilles heel with most units being replaced by the manufacturer under warranty. Mine was knackered and finally replaced at a cost to me at £1600GBP. Not pleasant!!
As for the E46, I believe that the unit has been re-designed and is slightly more robust.
Yeah bummer I need to thinks before I types. I realized after my post you guys had better equimpment including a six speed I think? Memory fades a bit about all the different spec cars that look nearly identical. Europe had one of the first sequential shifting M3's too before the e46.
Yeah the E36 M3 Evo had a six speed getrag box. Mine was fitted with the SMG 1 (sequential M gearbox) which I found very good. Unfortunately the media slated it and most people don't like it as it wasn't adjustable like SMG 2 as fitted to the E46. It was quite slow in comparison to the upgraded system; however, you just built that into your driving. IMO, it made for a great long distance tourer, we drove down to Tuscany in ours two years ago without any problems whatsoever. Great car. Sadly missed.
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