BMW M3\Evo

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   The vanos unit on the 3L is a single unit whereas the Evos had a double vanos which is prone to problems. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to whether they die or not but it seems more prevalent on earlier evos (but that might just be the age of the cars and the newer ones may catch up!!)

A poll on an M3 forum suggested that some 50% of evo owners had had the vanos changed and of that 50% some 40% had had it changed more than once.

There seems to be some dispute over whether BMW offer a goodwill gesture towards replacement as it costs Ł1800 approx on an evo and approx Ł1100 on a 3L though none of the 3L M3 owners tested in the same poll reported vanos problems.

When I was looking I had the option round my ŁŁŁ for a late low mileage 3L or an early higher mileage evo. Went for the one I felt most positive about, that drove well and had the FSH and 'moved me'!!! There is a lot of uncared for dross about.

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Stone-IslandV8 Members Profile Find Members Posts Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Points: 3015	Posted: 22-November-2003 at 14:49
	The vanos unit on the 3L is a single unit whereas the Evos had a double vanos which is prone to problems. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to whether they die or not but it seems more prevalent on earlier evos (but that might just be the age of the cars and the newer ones may catch up!!) A poll on an M3 forum suggested that some 50% of evo owners had had the vanos changed and of that 50% some 40% had had it changed more than once. There seems to be some dispute over whether BMW offer a goodwill gesture towards replacement as it costs Ł1800 approx on an evo and approx Ł1100 on a 3L though none of the 3L M3 owners tested in the same poll reported vanos problems. When I was looking I had the option round my ŁŁŁ for a late low mileage 3L or an early higher mileage evo. Went for the one I felt most positive about, that drove well and had the FSH and 'moved me'!!! There is a lot of uncared for dross about.

Boyracer Members Profile Find Members Posts Newbie Joined: 27-July-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 30	Posted: 23-November-2003 at 21:34
	Test drove a cosmos black M3, 1995, 90,000 Miles - most service history, long tax & mot - up for sale at Ł10,250 - a lot of money I felt, particulary as it needs a service & two new tyres. It HASNT had the Vanos unit changed - should I be worried about this? What sort of value do you think the car may hold bearing in mind it doesnt have a leather interior & requires those additional tyres & service...?

sailorbaz Members Profile Find Members Posts Really Senior Member II (Former) Scottish Region Wean Joined: 02-August-2003 Location: Northern Ireland Points: 961	Posted: 23-November-2003 at 23:53
	I've not long had my Evo and it's not had the Vanos done. Now ideally, i wanted warrenty and that way you'd never have to worry about any problems such as the Vanos. I never did find a decent one witgh warrenty, and after 6 weeks got fed up and just went for one I found sound enough. Like Jon says above, 50% of Evo owners have had Vanos probs with 40% of that 50% having second units installed. The way I look at it, if its done over 70000 miles, it should have had Vanos probs, if it was going to have any at all by now. Apparently, when it has gone, (Alloy looking unit at front of engine, just incase! ) sounds like marbles rolling around in tin when it has gone. Hope this helps.

TOPCAT Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 19-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 88	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 13:58
	A friend of mine has re-built an EVO from scratch as he races 2 of them with a racing team abroad. I will ask him about the VANOS subject and the general cost to expect as I would of thought he wouldn't have it done by a BM dealer, he would do it himself, being as I would expect him to have more indepth knowledge. Edited by TOPCAT

TOPCAT Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 19-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 88	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 14:05
	I can't tell for definate but the alloy looking unit that Saliorbaz mentioned looks very clean and new looking on the EVO I bought recently. Thats if it is the VANOS unit. Do they all look new? When there not? That could be one thing to look for when looking around at a few. Should it say in the Service History? Receipts?

Stone-IslandV8 Members Profile Find Members Posts Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Points: 3015	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 15:13
	Iain If the cars in top notch condition it isnt a bad price. I know of someone who's just sold a 1995 3L standard with fsh and 60,000 and got 13k for it cos of the low mileage and superb condition throughout. The 3L vanos problem is almost non-existent compared the the problem on the evos-I wouldnt have thought it was a problem. Did u see the 3L at Junction 28s website? John

senny Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member II Joined: 30-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 231	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 19:22
	Hey there guys, Im still looking for a 3lt M3. Its been 2 months now and still no luck. A good place to try would be Munich Legands. They are VERY good and only sell the best. I really mean that. Im going to take a look at a 3lt there this week. They are based in a small village called Chelwood Gate near Haywards Heath down in Sussex. Guys ive got 11-12k to spend on a 3lt, if u c 1 gimmie a buzz cheers Darren

Stone-IslandV8 Members Profile Find Members Posts Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Points: 3015	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 19:39
	Darren I'm still looking too-the GT had gone and the Alpinas just aren't doing it for me I'm afraid. Tony-vanos is at front of the engine unit and alloy looking. Won't say on the service schedule but I would have thought there'd be receipts. I've heard the vanos when its on its way out sounds like , as sailorbaz said, marbles in a tin and can apparently be best heard by revving the engine to 3500rpm and then listening for it as the revs drop down. Its also been described as a diesel sounding engine. John

Boyracer Members Profile Find Members Posts Newbie Joined: 27-July-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 30	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 20:14
	Thats very useful information guys... I dont really mind what colour the car or age or even mileage, so long as this vanos unit isnt gonna blow & its got a full main dealer service history. Scotthalls in Southampton have quoted me Ł300.00 for the parts & 20 hours labour @ Ł75.00 if it goes wrong - and id rather a main dealer did something as important as that... somehow, knowing a tin pot side garage did the work would not give me peace of mind! Will keep looking but a 3L over an evo I think is gonna be my best bet.. Does anyone know whats wrong with the Munich legends web site or is it my computer!? Iain.

senny Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member II Joined: 30-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 231	Posted: 24-November-2003 at 20:33
	whats the web site mate ill take a look

Stone-IslandV8 Members Profile Find Members Posts Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Points: 3015	Posted: 25-November-2003 at 13:51
	Just a thought but have you tried checking the AUC section on the BMW website and doing a full dealer search. I know one of my local dealers sold a 95 3L M3 for approx Ł12,500 and that was on there.

TOPCAT Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 19-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Points: 88	Posted: 25-November-2003 at 13:58
	A mate has just informed me that he has had an 3L and an EVO and says they are quite different although they look the same. He said the EVO is a quicker car hence the extra BHP, tighter on handling and better braking, but this could be all at a cost, its the risk you take. But then he had more problems with his 3L then his EVO. All depends on where and who has owned the car. Probably because it happened to be an early 3L? I don't know. Edited by TOPCAT