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M3 (e46) Vanos

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Leesha View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Leesha Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: M3 (e46) Vanos
    Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 11:41am
Hello everyone :)

I'm new here so I hope that my post is actually placed in the right category (sorry if not!).

This is about my friend's car, not my own, so I hope I can give as many details as required, in order for you guys to be able to give helful advice :)

It's about a BMW M3 (e46) from 2002.
He was told that the 'Vanos' needs to be replaced (engine light is on) and that it will cost him £2,000.

My questions are:

1. Is that a 'normal' price for replacing the 'Vanos'?
2. Can the costs be reduced by building in another used 'Vanos' or is this not an option?
3. The car seems to drive fine. It has to get MOT'd, though. Is it necessary to replace the 'Vanos' in order to get it through MOT or could it possibly wait? How urgent is it to get a 'Vanos' replaced if broken?

4. Can you recommend a workshop (London area) that will be able to replace the 'Vanos' for a (way better) price?

It would be really nice to get helpful advice/responses (asap).
Thank you so much in advance! :D

Greetings,
Leesha
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Tim77 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tim77 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2017 at 9:33pm
Hi,
I also have an e46 m3, revised 2003 model though.
Anyway, if you engine light is on the MOT test will fail this.
A brand new vanos from bmw is £2000 however, a complete rebuild overhaul and gear replacement can be done by specialist 'Mr Vanos' he is based in Darlington and you can send him your vanos for repair. Circa 700-800 quid. He is thebest in the business and specialises in vanos. See his website.... Type in Mr vanos.
It will work fine, but the rattle will slowly get worse and oil will eventually start to leak from the front seals......
Hope this is useful. Cheers, Tim
Tim whitaker
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Leesha View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Leesha Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2017 at 10:47am
Hello Tim :)

Thank you VERY MUCH for this advice!
I gave this information to my friend.

Have a good day!

Leesha

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Mike Fishwick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2017 at 2:03pm
Why was the garage so sure that the VANOS was the cause of the EML light illuminating?  There are lots of causes for this, the usual being air leaks around the throttle bodies.  Try spraying WD40 around the base of the throttle bodies and see if the engine speeds up a little as it is drawn through a faulty joint.

Look at everythig else before spending money.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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NickDE View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NickDE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Mar 2017 at 8:30pm
Agree, check out other options before spending on the VANOS. Get a diagnostic readout first.
My (non-M3) E46 had no engine light on , even though the VANOS was in a right state. Mr Vanos did his magic and MPG and mid-range power came back.
Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA going, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go The Vibrator
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Holty86 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Holty86 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2017 at 3:55pm
Hi everyone I'm new to this site but can someone tell me how they have done a payment to this company in the past as they are asking me to do it through a bank transfer?
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Holty86 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Holty86 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2017 at 4:18pm
How have you paid for a purchase through them in the past. As they are asking Me to do it by bank transfer
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NickDE View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NickDE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2017 at 5:35pm
I paid Mr Vanos by card when I picked up my car. I've not dealt remotely.
Mr Vanos has a good reputation generally.
Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA going, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go The Vibrator
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paulwe3 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote paulwe3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2017 at 12:58pm
I saw an advert for a nice 7 series which was very keenly priced. The owner said he wanted me to deal with northpax-trading and pay them the money up front. He said they would then deliver the car to my address - some 250 miles away from their premises inc in the price, and I would have 10 days to decide if I wish to keep the car, and only then would they pay the vendor.
It all sounded too good to be true.
I checked with companies house for their details and couldn't find them listed. I also could not locate their web site, so I offered to pay COD only to the vendor , and the same price offered. 
I never heard anything since, which confirmed my suspicions. Had I paid the money to Northpax, I would not have seen my money or the car.


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Howard View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Howard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 3:18pm
Bank Tansfers are the way that many people make payments, including myself.
But be sure that you dont make a payment to a company or person that you don't know. Once its done its done, and the bank can not help out if all goes wrong and you don't get your goods.Shocked

However, see this post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/craigslist/...42&sh=10e19ebb and form your own conclusions.


Edited by Howard - 16 Nov 2017 at 12:00pm
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Cabrio View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 1:27pm
Hi - any purchase of a car needs to be approached with caution

To pay when you view if private sale is sensible

Bank transfer if a dealer or known person

Guess the saying buyer beware needs to be considered with any sale of used items

Not aware it's a members car for sale but if it was that woul give some protection as the seller is known to the club so looks like it could have been worse
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ChristyBoyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2018 at 6:02pm
Hi Leesha

Did you get on ok with this company in the end up?

I am about to embark on a purchase through them but I have the same worries as you.

Anyone else on this forum can you please give me a shout with information about them as I am still worried and a bit paranoid

Thanks
James
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Tony View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Mar 2019 at 3:15pm
You could try reporting it to ActionFraud.
2006 Z4MC
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