M3AN

Another full day... cam out, engine re-timed, new VANOS installed. I don't recommend this to relax. But - apparent success - it started up perfectly first time and sounds pretty sweet to be honest. I've only taken it for a short test drive at less than 4k RPM but it all seems good. No trouble codes and cam timing is only about 0.4-0.6 degrees out from "perfect" according to the live data (which I've not looked at through the entire rev range yet). That's a pretty sweet result really. Let's see how it holds up to the next few hundred kilometers yet...

Believe it or not... Springs, sway bars, sway bar end links, bushes, mounting kit - NZ$189.85 (so far).

After today buddy I don't want to see the inside another VANOS unit ever!

Goods are in the country pending delivery. I just had to pay Customs $189.85. This is the only amount I've paid so far (that hasn't been refunded). I still need to verify via credit card statement next month.

Yeah, I've owned it for most of its life (>2/3) and have been pretty meticulous with as much as I can. However I pulled my plugs today as a part of this procedure and they all had shocking gaps and need to be replaced immediately. I learned I need to check them more frequently and also check my last Inspection 1 receipt.

Suspension is in NZ, ETA Wed. Full refund on my credit card still.

Those with keen eyes that know VANOS might spot the difference... the "depth" of the splined shaft in the red circle should be similar (ish) to the one in the green rectangle. It should protrude some. Also when we took the cap off the exhaust cylinder cover on the VANOS it blew out pressurised oil which indicates that the exhaust solenoids had failed closed (or open, I'm not sure actually). I think I'll need to remove the exhaust cam tomorrow to get to that shaft but it is what it is, then I'll re-time and chuck the new VANOS on.

Here we go again...

Who knew you could borrow a S50 double VANOS unit? Hoping to get this in tomorrow if it proves necessary after some more investigation. Cheers Mark.

For anyone that cares the car tried but failed to start this morning when I went to verify the codes. Looks like the VANOS is coming back off.

Seriously I love to hate this car... or is that hate to love it? A3 (163) MSS50 Control Module Fault - Internal 16 (022) VANOS Exhaust Valve - Over Advanced My VANOS exhaust solenoid has failed for one reason or another. Hopefully it's just a dry solder...

Yep, and it's valid. Edit: and an actual picture of the box!

Okay - mistake on my part - it is the oil level light that comes on, not the pressure light, that never comes on. But the level light flickers now when the spluttering occurs and sometimes stays on for a few seconds. The ignition on self test does not throw up a level warning. I'm about to check it again and top it up but I'm sure the oil level is fine. Problem is definitely getting worse.

Woah... Amazon have just processed a full refund for the suspension... and another set, that I was not charged for, is on a DHL plane to NZ. This could end up being the least expensive kit I've ever "purchased". I won't get my hopes up yet though.

Okay so cleaning the MAF sensor did nothing, the problem is worse today. Absolutely no problem above ~1500 RPM. Oil level light still comes on occasionally when it happens! Might have to pull the coils tonight.

Mailbox is full I think... send me a PM...

Thanks, will do.

Update: Amazon came through as I mentioned above and the goods arrived at Mainfreight within 2 days. Mainfreight are also trying to make this right - they're airfreighting the package (25kg) apparently at no cost to me... I'm going to be fascinated by the final invoice! I have the DHL tracking number and it's about 10 days away.

Thanks SJ. It doesn't feel violent or consistent enough to be a misfire... I think (because I've not experienced one in this car before). I'll give the MAF a clean when I get home... I tested the coils 12 months ago and they were fine... might have to do that again and check the plugs.

UPDATE 21/01 I've "fixed" the problem, it was a faulty VANOS exhaust solenoid. After three days of intermittent problems the car failed to start. I replaced the VANOS and re-timed the engine and it seems to be okay at the moment. Details throughout this thread. ORIGINAL POST Okay so I jumped in my car yesterday after stopping in at the hardware store and went to pull out onto the main road and *cough* *splutter* a few times just from idle to around 1200 RPM. The car didn't seem like it was going to stall, a little bit more go pedal and it was fine. The car was already up to operating temperature. It did it once more on the way home from idle (pulling away from traffic lights). But it doesn't do it every time. On the way to the office this morning it happened again. Also, if I coast down a hill put it in neutral and let the revs drop to idle and tap the gas I can occasionally make it splutter - I did this twice and both times the oil level light came on momentarily and immediately extinguished. Oil level is fine (could probably do with another 500mls but it's good). The oil light does not come on every time the cough, splutter happens. Full power and no symptoms above about 1200 RPM. E36 M3 3.2 6 Speed. Almost seems like fuel but I can't correlate to the oil light... Any ideas, this is a bit of a concern. Cheers.

So I have confirmed I am a tool and ordered the LHD part. I'm normally very conscious of the R/LHD differences but due to the circumstances of this purchase completely overlooked it. My penance will be drilling the correct two holes and finding black rubber bungs to suit the redundant holes. The bungs aren't entirely necessary but this is punishment after all. There's a lesson here to buy local in some cases. Net I think I saved 25% of the purchase price (which only equated to about NZ$40) by importing. And now that I can't return it (practically speaking) I realise how well that extra $40 might have been invested into the NZ economy! Cheers buddy you too and that's good to know. I thought it would probably fit somewhere in that 3-6 month maintenance window. Need to get the brakes on first... but I'm waiting for a few bits so I can do everything at once: S/S brake lines - en route Rear rotors - en route F/R springs - en route F/R sway bars - en route Sway bar bushings - en route 15mm rear spring pads - I should order these soon or my 255x35x18's ain't gonna fit! That made me cackle a little... I scrolled back up and saw what you meant!

OMG - how obvious, and stupid, is that! Look's like I'll be doing some drilling and plugging lol! <goes to look up part number he actually ordered!>

I've just received some new parts from the US - not enough to complete my brakes or suspension but getting there. New Rear Shock Mount Reinforcements (15 min job): Solid Brass Caliper Bushings - these are really smooth compared to the rubber bushings but have no dust covers so will be high(er) maintenance. And a new windshield cowl - this is an OEM BMW part but I'm missing two holes!! ?

Yeah, took a while! But sub 350 for 4 springs, 2 bars and bushes is worth waiting for I reckon.

So it looks like I'm not the only one to suffer with freight forwarders! Some of the stories, wow. Aside from their monumental initial failure Kiwishipping seem to be responsive and helpful so far. Also they're less expensive than Youshop and they will do consolidation which is important for me. I have no idea what the end result will be but I'll post back here with any relevant updates - I'm hopeful because others have had positive experiences and you'd expect Mainfreight to be able to sort the freight bit out okay once they have the package.