[Faredo]

Anyone have experience with the new (assuming Chinese) valve covers listed on ebay? They can be had for 200-275.
Actual experience, not "it's on ebay so it's junk" please.

**UPDATE**

Went ahead and ordered one from the following ebay seller for $205 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Valv...53.m2749.l2649

Took about 3 weeks to arrive from China and was packed very well. Fully uncased in foam and included hardware and gasket. My Vargas Turbo PCV fit perfect which was odd because I actually had to shave the OEM PCV Cap just a little to get it in last year.
I could take pictures but whats the point, with the exception of the stickers and cracks it looks EXACTLY like OEM.
So far I have 200 miles on it and all is well. I check every few days for leaks but haven't found any issues.

Now for the "it came from China" bits:

Shipping is slow. like i said 3 weeks. so dont be in a hurry.
There where 2 plastic flakes from manufacturing I removed from the underside. they where hanging like tags so i cut them out and didnt find anymore.
1 bolt was actually the wrong size. Just one. it was too wide so i popped one out of my old cover and swapped it.

other than the above, the install can be done by following your favorite DIY Thread.


**UPDATE**
Sure as shit... I smelled oil this morning while running around so took her home and pulled the VC Cover off. cracked in the same spot OEM cracks. total time on the car = 5 months / ~ 3000 miles

Ive contacted the seller about 10 minutes ago via ebay message. we will see.

[Faredo]

valve cover in question.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-N54-...lZf-0Q&vxp=mtr

[wren57]

I wouldn't trust it. It's very likely either the material is thinner or less durable than OE.

Originally Posted by wren57

I wouldn't trust it. It's very likely either the material is thinner or less durable than OE.

Reread OP.

[hassmaschine]

Well, it has a 1 year warranty. Are you putting it in yourself? Might be worth at least trying - it's not like the stock BMW covers are good quality, most of them seem to crack anyway.

It's like Depo lights - they used to be shit, now I'd put money that they are actually better quality than OEM in a lot of cases... both because they got better, and OEM BMW got really shitty.

[335e92tx]

They make them so thin (I imagine all are std) and there is such high heat I think anyone will develop cracks after 50K miles. If not on the car certainly when you pull it off. I believe best thing that can be done is reduce heat as much as possible and be prepared to bite the bullet at least 2 x during ownership.

[feuer]

335e92tx @92k and removed my twice. No cracks. Am I lucky?

[noorj]

I've got one, it seems extremely similar to the production piece and is about 2 lb heavier so I doubt it's thinner. I've got about 10k miles on mine with no issues, but I did remove the pcv valve from it and put my rb pcv valve in it

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by feuer

335e92tx @92k and removed my twice. No cracks. Am I lucky?

Im thinkn so. They usually have micro cracks to start with and the process of prying them up just toasts them..

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Im thinkn so. They usually have micro cracks to start with and the process of prying them up just toasts them..

To save $100 bucks and buy a no name eBay item on this part? Install is around 1k or a few hours of your time, with the rate that these crack, spend the extra hundred for piece of mind. This should be a no brainer.

Edit:Sorry did not intend to reply to your post, rather the OP

[feuer]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Im thinkn so. They usually have micro cracks to start with and the process of prying them up just toasts them..

I think is mostly improper de-install and re-install that cracks them. To remove it I used couple of Snap-On trim panel pry tool. Very effective and safe as the tools are wide unlike a screw driver. Then I used torque wrench to make sure I don't over tighten.
https://store.snapon.com/Upholstery-...--P641982.aspx

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Jklad

To save $100 bucks and buy a no name eBay item on this part? Install is around 1k or a few hours of your time, with the rate that these crack, spend the extra hundred for piece of mind. This should be a no brainer.

Reason #1 why saving $100 would make sense:
If what others claim that these crack on their own (not my experience) then the OEM isn't good quality to begin with.

Reason #2
$1k is what it cost to get it done at the dealer and those looking to save money would't be going to the dealer

Re-read post #1 from Faredo and post #5 from hassmaschine

[Faredo]

I'll do the install myself. Less than an hour.
As far as piece of mind, ive been through this before, so no. OEM offers no piece of mind. But if you have experience with this cover please share.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Anyone with a listing that has a Plural on the world 1 Year, worries me. That being said, no experience.

This install is not an hour, either, closer to 4.

[Faredo]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Anyone with a listing that has a Plural on the world 1 Year, worries me. That being said, no experience.

This install is not an hour, either, closer to 4.

Not for me. Less than an hour with no cowling.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Anyone with a listing that has a Plural on the world 1 Year, worries me. That being said, no experience.

English language proficiency is not attached with product quality what so ever and I do not understand why you had the need to bring it up like that.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Faredo

Not for me. Less than an hour with no cowling.

Even with no cowling that is very remarkable. I find this job tedious. At least couple of hours for me. To many bolts on n54. Is easier on n55. Also, I tent to take my time and check with inspection mirror if the gasket is seated properly before I tighten everything down.

[Faredo]

Originally Posted by feuer

Even with no cowling that is very remarkable. I find this job tedious. At least couple of hours for me. To many bolts on n54. Is easier on n55. Also, I tent to take my time and check with inspection mirror if the gasket is seated properly before I tighten everything down.

I power out the bolts and the PITA ones to get to in the rear have been mastered.
To save time on your gasket i like to use gasket spray and have it seated on the cover before instillation. All of my cabling is routed pretty far back and can be pulled up allowing me to drop on the cover without fighting with the injectors blocking the way.
Now if this was bone stock I remember this taking twice as long. the only thing that can hang you up time wise is coming back in to recheck torque specs.
Im not in any hurry, just lay your tools / parts out, put on some tunes and enjoy the solitude of your garage and wrenches.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by feuer

English language proficiency is not attached with product quality what so ever and I do not understand why you had the need to bring it up like that.

Someone had a nerve hit?

Originally Posted by Faredo

Not for me. Less than an hour with no cowling.

Would love to see that on video from start to finish, no editing.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Someone had a nerve hit? :lol

I would appreciate it if those were the final words you say on this topic

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by feuer

I would appreciate it if those were the final words you say on this topic

I find your remarks and animosity quite humorous.

Just to add, my interpretation of the ad and how/what I deduced from it should not stray anyone from buying it.

I'm entitled to make my opinion on the lack of attention, detail and/or grammar in the ad and it can be justification for why I would or anyone else may not purchase through them.

I dont sell the product so it's not competition to me. I have nothing to gain or lose from it. It's just my opinion on the manner, I don't particularly utilize websites or buy from specific places when they lack certain attention to detail. Everyone has their own interpretation, reasoning and logic to their purchase decisions.

As with anything on a forum take it with a grain of salt, not to heart.

[Sgop335]

Less than a hour? Cmon buddy take it easy...