[StickMon]

This is one point where the ///M is easier. Once everything's unscrewed, Vanos pops right out. No real clearance issue.
I think the non-M is mounted on studs, whereas the ///M is held on by bolts?

Something to note, actually, for ///M owners that aren't doing their own Vanos R+R.
When I first bought my car, it came with the standard broken Vanos/camshaft bolts.
I didn't know anything about the car yet, so I took it to an indie to do the repair.
He said it would take an extra day, and extra cost for replacement coolant, because he had to remove the whole nose of the car, including the radiator, to remove the Vanos.
Judging from the bolts he forgot to do up, I think he did remove the whole nose.
Twice, in fact, because the first time I picked it up the cam timing was so far off it went into limp mode.

So if you take your ///M in for Vanos R+R, and your mechanic says he has to remove the nose or jack up the engine, find another mechanic.