engine sound when cold start help

[M3corey]

ok i have a 95 m3 .. 36,300 miles ..
i bought it about 2,500 miles ago .. when i let the car sit overnight
today when i started it up my step father heard a sound from my engine .. he said it sounded like the valves were tapping ??
it only happens when i first start it up if it has been sitting for awhile .. like overnight or so .. any ideas ??

[Anetsberger]

I have a similar problem with my 318is M42 engine. It may be that the seals are bad in your cam followers and the oil is allowed to drain out over night. When you first start the engine in the morning it takes a minute or two for the followers to fill with oil and take up the slack. The noise may be the tapping of the slack. But M3s had a lot of trouble with the VANOS as well, so I wouldn't rule that out. Maybe someone a little more familiar with the S50 can help you out.

[Andre325i]

I have a '94 325i and I get the same sound every morning. For what I've been reading around the message boards this seems to be normal. I think it has something to do with the VANOS.

[M3corey]

hmm not sure .. my step father seems to think its valve tapping .. but he could be wrong .. its weird cuz it didnt do it this morning ..
keep the advice comin