E90 E92 M3 Vanos Cover Failure and Replacement S65

Date: 16 Sept

S65 engine owners, take note! The stock plastic VANOS covers on the E9x M3 become brittle over time and are known to crack or break. This failure is similar to the timing chain guide issues seen in many N and B series BMW engines. If pieces of plastic fall into the sump, they can block the oil pickup pipe, leading to oil starvation and potentially catastrophic engine failure.

At Element Performance, we recommend replacing the plastic VANOS covers as a preventative measure. We use Ventrax aluminum covers — a permanent solution engineered to withstand the high demands of the S65 engine. No brittleness, no failures.

✅ What’s Included in Our VANOS Cover Replacement Service – £1,550

• Ventrax billet aluminum VANOS covers

• Labour

• Valve cover gaskets

• Spark plug gasket O-rings

This service is designed to keep your M3 protected from hidden, costly failure — all parts, labour and VAT included.

🔧 Add-On: Throttle Actuator Replacement and Spark Plugs

While your engine is apart, it's an ideal time to consider replacing your throttle actuators — a known weak point on the S65. We offer rebuilt actuators with a lifetime warranty, and you’ll benefit from discounted labour when done alongside VANOS work.

Using only the best in the business - NGK Plugs. If your S65 could use some TLC or is due a major service this is worth carrying out at the same time.

📞 Contact Us

For more details or to book your vehicle in:
📞 01845 600105
📧 info@elementperformance.co.uk

We’re proud to be a BMW registered independent garage, meaning we can maintain your full service history using our BMW KeyReader. Your service records will be updated to iDrive and appear on BMW’s digital history.