how far has vanos gotten?

You want to ellaborate on that question some?

12.2 miles since I left work.

Far. But that is relative.

ha, sorry, you see I thought it was only for midrange torque but i recently found out it's for high end too, right? if so when did that happen?

Vanos/double-Vanos.


Smoother idling, greater torque, elastic power: double-Vanos varies the camshaft timing to optimise power output throughout the rev range. Whatever your speed, you benefit from better performance, improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

The name Vanos is derived from the German term "variable Nockenwellensteuerung", meaning variable camshaft control. The double-Vanos system continuously adjusts the camshaft positions for both the intake and the exhaust valves. This results in significantly higher torque at low engine speeds and more power at higher engine speeds, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

At lower engine speeds, the position of the camshaft is moved so the valves are opened later, as this improves idling quality and smooth power development. As the engine speed increases, the valves are opened earlier: this enhances torque, reduces fuel consumption and lowers emissions. At high engine speeds, the valves are opened later again, because this allows full power delivery.

Double-Vanos also controls the amount of exhaust gas that is re-circulated back to the intake manifold, enhancing fuel economy. The system uses a special set of parameters in the engine's warming-up phase in order to help the catalytic converter reach its ideal operating temperature more quickly, lowering emissions. The entire process is controlled by the vehicle's Digital Motor Electronics (DME). BMW first introduced the breakthrough Vanos technology in 1992. Double-Vanos entered production in 1997.

Related Technology

Valvetronic.


Enjoy better performance while consuming less fuel: Valvetronic lets you get even more driving pleasure from your BMW engine.

This highly advanced technology replaces the conventional throttle butterfly with a electrical mechanism that controls the amount of lift of the individual intake valves on each cylinder. Your engine is able to breathe freely, delivering better performance while using less fuel.
The performance of the engine is more efficient and immediate, thanks to the elimination of the pumping losses and air-flow disturbance caused by a conventional throttle butterfly. Instead, air can flow through the intake manifold freely, and Valvetronic precisely regulates the quantity of air entering the cylinders.
Valvetronic uses a stepper motor to control a secondary eccentric shaft fitted with a series of intermediate rocker arms, which in turn control the degree of valve lift. The throttle butterfly is no longer needed as a means of controlling the air supply - though for safety reasons it is still fitted as an emergency back-up.
By optimising the fuel/air mix process, Valvetronic produces fuel savings of up to 10 percent (based on the ECE driving cycle). In addition, Valvetronic improves cold start behaviour, lowers exhaust emissions and provides smoother, more immediate power.