E36 M3 EVO Whats this vanos problem all about?!

[m3mth]

E36 M3 EVO Whats this vanos problem all about?!

looking at getting an EVO, but been hearing things about vanos issues. can anybody tell me more?

i.e why? and cost?

thanks.

[taffyracer]

The problem is not as bad as it's made out to be, the dual vanos has proved over the years to suffer from problems later in life meaning loss of power, 2nd hand units go for about £500 and new around £1600

[MitchT]

The problem, which afflicts the 3.2 'evo' E36, initially manifests itself in the form of the car feeling short on power below 4,000rpm, I think. As fas as I am aware a BMW main dealer will charge about £2,700 for a new double-VANOS all inclusive. As taffyracer points out, the problem has probably been blown out of proportion, but due to the high cost of rectifying it, for those who are afflcted it is a big deal, hence the widespread concern. I'd only buy an E36 M3 evo if I could leave the cost of a new double-VANOS sitting in the bank just in case. I believe someone offers a double-VANOS service which addresses wear to the parts which are believed to be the origin of the problem but it's too early to say whether this works. The pre-evo 3.0 M3 has a single-VANOS which is much more reliable.