Rebuilding the vanos

Simon 3.2M · Post by **Simon 3.2M** » Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:25 am

This something I'd like to do over the winter. Has anyone actually rebuild theirs themselves or is best advice to drop it into an Indy?

Mangozac · Post by **Mangozac** » Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:30 pm

How much DIY experience do you have? What's the most complex thing you've done on a car engine?

VANOS rebuild isn't particularly difficult, but does require an extensive set of tools (including some special tools) and some solid knowledge of mechanical assembly techniques.

The Beisan guides are fantastic and I'm a big proponent of DIY but screwing up on the VANOS can be catastrophic so it's not something I wouls recommend to a novice.

Simon 3.2M · Post by **Simon 3.2M** » Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:02 pm

Mangozac wrote: ↑Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:30 pm How much DIY experience do you have? What's the most complex thing you've done on a car engine?

VANOS rebuild isn't particularly difficult, but does require an extensive set of tools (including some special tools) and some solid knowledge of mechanical assembly techniques.

The Beisan guides are fantastic and I'm a big proponent of DIY but screwing up on the VANOS can be catastrophic so it's not something I wouls recommend to a novice.

I'm an ex aircraft mechanic so there's very little that would phase me on a car. It is the need for specialist tools that is the kicker - if they are expensive for a one time use then it may we'll be an Indy job. I just love doing my own stuff on my car.

Mangozac · Post by **Mangozac** » Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:23 pm

Simon 3.2M wrote: ↑Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:02 pm I'm an ex aircraft mechanic so there's very little that would phase me on a car. It is the need for specialist tools that is the kicker - if they are expensive for a one time use then it may we'll be an Indy job. I just love doing my own stuff on my car.

Oh mate in that case go for it - with that kind of background I couldn't imagine paying someone for automotive work! I love doing my own work on the Z4M so much that it's now 100% self serviced. In my case an engineering background is a big help

You can get cheap VANOS locking tools on eBay. Apparently the quality can be a bit hit and miss but with a background such as yours you should be able to rectify any shortcomings.

exdos · Post by **exdos** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:41 pm

Mangozac wrote: ↑Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:23 pm
Simon 3.2M wrote: ↑Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:02 pm I'm an ex aircraft mechanic so there's very little that would phase me on a car. I just love doing my own stuff on my car.
Oh mate in that case go for it - with that kind of background I couldn't imagine paying someone for automotive work! I love doing my own work on the Z4M so much that it's now 100% self serviced. In my case an engineering background is a big help

According to some on here though your cars will lack the service stamps which will make your cars unsaleable and scrap only! I'm in the same boat

Simon 3.2M · Post by **Simon 3.2M** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:59 pm

exdos wrote: ↑Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:41 pm
Mangozac wrote: ↑Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:23 pm
Simon 3.2M wrote: ↑Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:02 pm I'm an ex aircraft mechanic so there's very little that would phase me on a car. I just love doing my own stuff on my car.
Oh mate in that case go for it - with that kind of background I couldn't imagine paying someone for automotive work! I love doing my own work on the Z4M so much that it's now 100% self serviced. In my case an engineering background is a big help
According to some on here though your cars will lack the service stamps which will make your cars unsaleable and scrap only! I'm in the same boat

Haha very true buddy

Things is for the less complicated jobs, why on earth would I pay to get the stamps i.e. £36 and 30 mins to replace the diff oil. My quote was around £170!!!

Mangozac · Post by **Mangozac** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:06 pm

The way I see it, the amount of money I save from DIY servicing more than offsets any decrease in the car's value because of it (that said, cost isn't my main motivation - I just like working on my car!).

I plan to keep the car for a long time and put plenty of fun kms on it so depreciation is not on my list of concerns. Still, I'm convinced that the right enthusiast buyer would appreciate that in reality a car that is DIY serviced by a passionate, knowledge amateur can in many cases have been better looked after than one with full BMW service history

DOOM · Post by **DOOM** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:24 pm

Mangozac wrote: ↑Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:06 pm The way I see it, the amount of money I save from DIY servicing more than offsets any decrease in the car's value because of it (that said, cost isn't my main motivation - I just like working on my car!).

I plan to keep the car for a long time and put plenty of fun kms on it so depreciation is not on my list of concerns. Still, I'm convinced that the right enthusiast buyer would appreciate that in reality a car that is DIY serviced by a passionate, knowledge amateur can in many cases have been better looked after than one with full BMW service history

Enough said!

Simon 3.2M · Post by **Simon 3.2M** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:02 pm

DOOM wrote: ↑Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:24 pm
Mangozac wrote: ↑Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:06 pm The way I see it, the amount of money I save from DIY servicing more than offsets any decrease in the car's value because of it (that said, cost isn't my main motivation - I just like working on my car!).

I plan to keep the car for a long time and put plenty of fun kms on it so depreciation is not on my list of concerns. Still, I'm convinced that the right enthusiast buyer would appreciate that in reality a car that is DIY serviced by a passionate, knowledge amateur can in many cases have been better looked after than one with full BMW service history
Enough said!

Couldn't agree more!!

exdos · Post by **exdos** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:37 pm

Also, when the cars have reached a certain age, it'll be the one's which are owned by the knowledgeable and capable amateurs which will be the best maintained too because we don't have to pay for our own time spent on the car and we enjoy doing the work.

Beedub · Post by **Beedub** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:40 pm

Now i have my own space and ramp... my car will only be serviced by myself moving forward.

Simon 3.2M · Post by **Simon 3.2M** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:13 am

Beedub wrote: ↑Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:40 pm Now i have my own space and ramp... my car will only be serviced by myself moving forward.

I feel a trip to Sutton Coldfield coming on!

Mangozac · Post by **Mangozac** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 10:05 am

It makes me happy to hear so many like-minded Z4M enthusiasts getting their hands dirty. The S54 in the Z4 package is a fantastic engine to work on!

Beedub · Post by **Beedub** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:48 pm

Simon 3.2M wrote: ↑Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:13 am
Beedub wrote: ↑Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:40 pm Now i have my own space and ramp... my car will only be serviced by myself moving forward.
I feel a trip to Sutton Coldfield coming on!

ANYTIME

Papa_Zee · Post by **Papa_Zee** » Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:37 pm

Changed my M's angel light bulbs to a higher grade... All by myself lol... Justifiably proud but I don't think I would mess with the Vanos solenoid for my DD 2.0 though, as it seems to need it (Running out of puff and flat spots). Throttle reset helped a little bit.

Does anyone have any idea of costs? And garages in or near Medway? Thanks.

Papa

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