"Best" aftermarket Vanos line?

[old///MFanatic]

Ok I called RE direct and asked about the covering. Said it hadn't changed and that it's a light "smoked" transparent cover. Said the photo lighting probably makes look different.

Since I have always liked Rogue Engineering (from the initial start-up days when they split off from UUC) and their quality I went with their's. Made in USA, DOT approved hose and they usually over engineer their products. I am not so confident with ECS's product line contractors.

Does seem all aftermarket very close. That was just my rationale. This is not my thread, sorry for thread-jack. So please continue on..

[Cubieman]

Make sense, putting it that way I wish I would have done the same. Do I trust an ECS part in a critical area? Hmm

[Phoenix///M3]

I installed an RE line over the summer and it's a quality piece.

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[maupineda]

Make sense, putting it that way I wish I would have done the same. Do I trust an ECS part in a critical area? Hmm

I think there are enough ECS lines out there to know if they are bad, or any other for that matter. The only ones you hear about failing are the old OE ones

[Obioban]

The updated stock line is the best option out there, IMO. Never seen one fail. No yearly replacements, like most of the aftermarket line recommend. No rubbing potential, like the aftermarket versions.

[old///MFanatic]

Just to update about the Rogue Engineering hose, the one I recently recieved the cover is basically black.

[wahsm]

I was thinking the sale price makes this a no brainer. Until BW changes ~$15 shipping while ECS is free.

Then I start thinking (as mentioned earlier) if the updated Genuine BMW Part is improved and Lifetime warranty on sale from FCP Euro at $104 Free Ship, paying more for solid line and OE look and fit is best, just not sexy aftermarket.

I notice RE line selling point is a sleek fitting on top vs bulky hose to fitting on ECS. But ECS fitting is angled to curve over vanos.
Decisions decisions....

Haha yeah that is the problem too many choices to choose from. Didn't realize there was a V2 of the BMW part.

[Cronenberged]

Performance Eurowerks has a great one. Tell em Teric recommended you.

[davidinnyc]

September 2024 update: a Genuine BMW line V2 (11367837614) is $229.99…

[Atreezy]

I always thought aftermarket ones were just for the sake of change, I had never heard of OE lines apparently cracking due to fatigue. Is the symptom a slow leak or a catastrophic failure that can take out your engine? I would be pissed if a $250 line killed my motor after all the other preventative work done...

p.s. how much needs to come out to replace this? Just the fan/shroud and some belts hopefully?

[BL92]

I just installed the Dr.Vanos line, Not much info how to route it down, yes to get to the lower fixing, just below the coolant hose, i removed the fan and shroud to free up room
I loosely fitted the bottom end first to the accumulator, have to twist to get it to seat, then loosely fitted the fixing just below coolant hose, the loosely fit the upper most fixing.
wasn't until the banjo end up top, which mounts to the vanos, was lined up perfectly with no stress on the fitting, i fitted the banjo. Then snug up only, the lower fixings, then under i torqued the upper banjo to 9nm using a 1/4 drive torque wrench., I read some where that 13nm was too much, hasn't leaked yet

[Notan_S54]

I always thought aftermarket ones were just for the sake of change, I had never heard of OE lines apparently cracking due to fatigue. Is the symptom a slow leak or a catastrophic failure that can take out your engine? I would be pissed if a $250 line killed my motor after all the other preventative work done...

p.s. how much needs to come out to replace this? Just the fan/shroud and some belts hopefully?

I had to replace mine because it blew, which led to oil coming out like crazy everywhere, especially onto the headers. I only knew because I was driving on the freeway when I hear an explosion coming from my engine bay. When I got home oil was all over the garage floor. Thought it was a rod bearing that blew but thankfully, just the vanos line.

[George Hill]

I had to replace mine because it blew, which led to oil coming out like crazy everywhere, especially onto the headers. I only knew because I was driving on the freeway when I hear an explosion coming from my engine bay. When I got home oil was all over the garage floor. Thought it was a rod bearing that blew but thankfully, just the vanos line.

Was it the updated version with the 2nd mounting tab?

[Notan_S54]

Was it the updated version with the 2nd mounting tab?

it was the original line that came with the car (05 LCI car). I wouldn’t be able to tell you for sure because I ended up having it towed to my mechanic who does my big projects and had it taken care of while upgrading to ACL bearings.

[Pklauser]

it was the original line that came with the car (05 LCI car). I wouldn’t be able to tell you for sure because I ended up having it towed to my mechanic who does my big projects and had it taken care of while upgrading to ACL bearings.

If it was original, afaik it wouldn't have had the second tab. I believe that was added after the E46 was out of production.

Anyway, I had the same failure mode on the original line, thing just exploded at the flex joint. The lower ear had also apparently broken off.

Sad to see the OE price hike. Hopefully temporary, but I won't cross my fingers.