.: BMW E36/E39/E38

M50tu Engine Single Vanos

M52 Engine Single Vanos

M52 Engine Dual Vanos

A common problem, these units suffer with similar issues of o-ring & seal materials deteriorating that affects the M3 models. However, as these vanos units run at far less oil pressure than the M3 vanos units (around 45PSI opposed to 1450PSI in the M3's), the % effect of a small leak is increased resulting in a reduction of avaialble vanos piston force.

The original support o-ring is produced from materials that do not react as well in the harsh engine environment as our modern upgraded materials, and given the mileage many of these units have now covered the original piston seal will now also be worn, particularly in cars with dubious service history or where engine oil changes have been extended allowing the oil to become more caustic & contaminated (there is also no seperate filter for the oil supply to the vanos unit unlike the M3!).

These conditions result in the vanos piston seal losing its' sealing capabilities which leads to the incorrect, slow, inaccurate or even a total failure of the vanos operation.

General lack of torque & / or power, particularly below ~ 2800rpm
Hesitation, sometimes coupled with 'surging', again, usually below ~ 2800rpm
Unstable or erratic idle speed
'Jumpy' idle when cold, sometimes coupled with frequent stalling

.: Products

BMW M50tu & M52 Engines

Iridium Upgraded Seal Kits

The advanced fluoroelastomer, Viton® has establish new standards for high performance seals. We use a specifically manufactured Viton seal in conjunction with our custom-manufactured composite coated seal to overcome the limitations & deficiencies of the original system. These seals are made only for us by our supplier with whom we have developed & tested these kits.

Each kit includes the correct number of new Viton™ support o-rings & our custom-manufactured composite piston seals (1 support ring & 1 composite seal for the single vanos units, 2 of each for the dual units).

TIP - If your vanos is noisy (grumbling / rumbling sound), dont forget to add our new bearings (see bottom of page) for the complete overhaul or go for one of our reconditioned units!

M50TU / M52 Single Vanos Exchange Reconditioned Unit - £ (includes exchange surcharge)

An exchange reconditioned vanos unit pre-installed & set with our uprated seals & bearings all ready for you to fit² - saves you time & effort. Just buy our exchange unit, fit it then return your old one to us - simple!

See here for further details

Stock availability:

To fit: As list above

M52 DUAL Vanos Seal Kit - £

Stock availability:

To Fit:

E38 728i
E39 520i, E39 523i, E39 525i, E39 528i, E39 530i
E46 320Ci, E46 323Ci, E46 325Ci, E46 325xi, E46 328Ci, E46 330Ci, E46 330xi
E53 X5 3.0i
E60 520i, E60 525i, E60 530i, E61 525i
E65 730i, E66 730Li
E83 X3 2.5i, E83 X3 3.0i
E85 Z4 2.2i Roadster, E85 Z4 2.5i Roadster, E85 Z4 3.0i Roadster
Z3 Z3 2.0 Roadster, Z3 Z3 2.2i Roadster, Z3 Z3 2.8 Roadster, Z3 Z3 2.8 Coupé, Z3 Z3 3.0i Roadster, Z3 Z3 3.0i Coupé

* Dismantling of the vanos body & vanos piston assembly required to install bearing sets. Reduction of the original bearing spacer ring thickness to acheive minimal axial shaft movement / maximum bearing support will be required.

2 - You will need to reuse your solenoid from your old unit