Hi guys,the link below is to a short video I took of my engine running . I think I have a vanos issue, or tensioner, or something. Any input is welcome.
I'm thinking of getting a few o-rings ( viton)) from a local supplier and a tensioner for the camshafts and see how I go.:(
Apart from that, stock standard and no more smg, WOW:redspot
Pics coming and mods are a goer!

http://www.youtube.com/v/7AiOU5CNt9M

Sounds just like mine. Almost Diesel-like.

I asked a few techs about it and they said it's fine. I told them to go ahead and replace the gears anyway, which they did, and after a week or two it sounds just the same.

Do you notice a loss of pwoer down low and up top per chance?

That sound is SO annoying,I cannot get past it:mad
I was wondering why I'm getting some slight hesitation as I'm pulling away,but then it clears and pulls strongly,probably vanos,to scared to break it if I push too hard...the old hands could probably vouch that I should be screaming the tits off this thing,and why am I such a sissy girl.
Anyway I put my trusty screwdriver against the vanos and I can hear a very distinctive knocking,metal to metal,in time with the revs.Can't be sure if its the tensioner (again hydraulics)or the seals in the vanos.
I think this is is maybe related to my slight cyclic vibration at idle, all that backlash and catchup maybe causing some harmonics.
Problem is I can't get a hold of an old vanos to strip down and sort out what it's game is,but like any valve the seals are usually the culprit.
Its also pretty hard to to get any real info except "na, sounds ok".
The other thing I notice is that when I coasting to a stop say in 5th and then push in the clutch to stop,my revs drop to below 500 ( but not always)-Idle control valve?.
All I can do now is get some bits together(different oil,seals for trumpets,gaskets etc) and start doing one thing at a time,and then see if it runs again.
Any suggestions,anyone?

Sounds like mine. Go to Drvanos.com and listen to others, as well as tech info.

Sounds like mine. Go to Drvanos.com and listen to others, as well as tech info.
This is the Euro M3 engine forum. There are no Dr VANOS units for Euro engines, only M50TU/M52/S50US/S52 and M54 engines.

Try a thinner oil. 10W60 is really thick, and I'm sure others will comment on that as well.

Use a premium ester-based synthetic. Here in the US, we have Motul. Other countries you can get Castrol Edge, Shell, and some other brands that I don't know of. Clean the inlet filter screen. Also you may want to check oil pressure. The B32 dual-pickup oil pump can lose the secondary pump keyway, which may cause occasional oil starvation or pump malfunction. Mine quit pumping one cold morning, no idea why. I installed a VAC upgraded pump and run Motul 300V 15W50 in track season, 10W40 in the winter.

I was looking at motul 300v chronos, 10W40 I'm nervous about, but isn't 15W50 a little thick, if not then how does it affect the vanos,any improvement?
I will get the oil pressure checked,and my exhaust, since I've had the bellows on the header removed(it was cracked and been solid welded)not sure if its causing vibration.
I've checked out DrVanos but no evo kits.Good info though.