Is VANOS only an M power issue ?

[WindsorRob]

The dreaded VANOS issues over ever seem to get mentioned against M cars. I've been interested in either an E46 M3 or E39 M5 for a while. I'm leaning toward the M5 and I'm building the facts on the issues I need to be aware.

The VANOS issue seems to be one of the main things, but this got me thinking why the issue only ever seems to get mentioned against the M cars. My understanding is that other BMWs have the VANOS system (I think my 523 has a version ?) and yet they don't seem to get flagged as major issues to look our for.

So, am I wrong, is the VANOS system unique to M cars ? Is it just a different system on the M cars ? If they are on the 'normal stuff' why don't they get flagged as an issue ?

Any info welcomed !

[MitchT]

Some BMWs have single VANOS which is largely reliable. The VANOS reliability discussion was started by the unreliability of the double VANOS that started life in the 3.2 E36 M3 Evolution and continued in other 6cyl M cars. I believe some of the new shape non-M 3 Series have double VANOS too, though I don't know whether the design of the unit has changed since the E36 M3 Evo to erradicate the reliability issue.

[Vixpy1]

E46 M3 vanos is not really an issue..

E39 M5 vanos does fail though.

[Methane Bloke]

Never had any operational issues with the Vanos on our M3 although we did have it changed twice under warranty as oil was leeking from somewhere. Each time the invoice showed around a grand.

Regards

Chris