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Cheers Alfy,i thought only the z4 had vanos.Didnt a lot of the BM,s with vanos get recalled?which year/model should i be looking out for?
Pete[/quote]
All BMW 6cyl engines from about 96 on (i think) have some version of the vanous system.
It was a single vanous on the early M3s and other 6cyl BMs only working the inlet cam then the first double vanous (for inlet & exhaust) was put on the E36 M3 evo to help with mid range torque.
About year 2000 double vanous was put on all 6 cyl engines throught the range, in the last couple of years a new style single vanous has been introduced to the new 4cyl engine. (which is the worst engine they have ever built)
Even with early models being recalled you can still get problems, mostly due to poor service history and having its ass kicked in.
As for which year and model? I would go for as late a model as you can afford. Some of the earlier E39s suffered from anoying promblems such as front shockers, backing plates braking up, ball joints, wheel bearings, interior electracal faults etc. The later you buy the better they seam to get, the E39 evolved into a fecking great car and by the time they had got it just right, they brought out the E60 a totally fecked everything up :lol:.
Tbh honest mate the E39 M5 engine is proberly the best engine BMW has ever build mechanicly, it still suffers occasionaly from the likes of cam, crank, tps sensor faults like all modern cars but if you look after it, it will run and run.
Jesus, i rabbled on for a bit, sorry for taking up so much space on the forum. Hope this helps
Alfy