[JaySutton]

My 325i has a valve cover gasket oil leak. I was quoted around $600 for the fix. The car has about 179k miles, is it worth fixing? How long are BMWs known to last for? I want to keep it but if it is going to cost $$$ for constant repairs I don't mind getting rid of it.

[M.Power]

You have 180k miles. There are going to be issues like that with every car after racking up that many miles.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Only way to know for sure is fix it then cross fingers.
Maybe try and DIY this job to save some money if mechanically inclined.
179k is high but there are some here close to 300k.....BMWs are usually worth fixing if you stay on top of maintenance.....but if car has been neglected and has too many issues at once I would say cut losses before they consume your bank account.
Good luck.

[JaySutton]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Only way to know for sure is fix it then cross fingers.
Maybe try and DIY this job to save some money if mechanically inclined.
179k is high but there are some here close to 300k.....BMWs are usually worth fixing if you stay on top of maintenance.....but if car has been neglected and has too many issues at once I would say cut losses before they consume your bank account.
Good luck.

I got the car used last July. It has some other minor issues. But the other problem I worry about, is the engine getting hot. Can the leak be causing this?
Thank you.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by JaySutton

I got the car used last July. It has some other minor issues. But the other problem I worry about, is the engine getting hot. Can the leak be causing this?
Thank you.

What do you mean "getting hot"?
I would keep a close eye on oil and coolant levels if you suspect it would overheat....actually this car will tell you when it's low on coolant and service light should illuminate as well so don't worry.
How bad is it leaking oil from valve cover?

[JaySutton]

I would leave the car for like an hour and I come back and the Engine is still warm. Last oil change was in September of last year and car says its halfway. But there is quite a bit of oil on the ground.

[Bent_remy]

Originally Posted by JaySutton

I would leave the car for like an hour and I come back and the Engine is still warm. Last oil change was in September of last year and car says its halfway. But there is quite a bit of oil on the ground.

Is this the first vehicle you've ever owned?

[JaySutton]

Originally Posted by Bent_remy

Is this the first vehicle you've ever owned?

Yes, it's my first car...

[LsuGeaux]

No sugar coating.

You probably shouldn't of bought a BMW, Hell ANY car with 170k+ miles on it. Thats just a pit unless you're a mechanic yourself.

You need to change your oil ASAP. Every 3-5k Miles I change mine. Which is every couple months.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by LsuGeaux

No sugar coating.

You probably shouldn't of bought a BMW, Hell ANY car with 170k+ miles on it. Thats just a pit unless you're a mechanic yourself.

You need to change your oil ASAP. Every 3-5k Miles I change mine. Which is every couple months.

That oil change interval is a little aggressive/overkill if using correct oils.
Although I do proactively change mine earlier that CBS indicates.

[E46toE90]

being a 325 i wouldn't worry about the longevity. my coworker racks up like 20k miles a year he's on his second 330. first one had about 350k only reason he does not have it is due to an accident . just stay onto of the maintenance

[hankcah]

You should get more quotes. Is that quote from the dealership, or an indy shop that specializes in this?

There are DIYs on this exact change. It's a $5 part, and maybe a few easy hours in your garage on a saturday. Gaskets wear out as they are rubber.

If the quotes are around $400-600, you may as well have them do the valve cover gasket, since they are already in there, and maybe spark plugs. But you should be able to do spark plugs. They are simple.

Any car will need plugs, gaskets, and etc.

[sd_luis]

I think you should get it inspected while you are at it, while you are looking at $600 gasket fix (and I wouldn't recommend diy since is your first car and BMW are not really vehicles you want to learn on.) see what other stuff might be wrong with it, anywhere from rust, electrical, other mechanical problems. While is nice being in this forum and getting advice from other members unless someone has some special powers and are able to diagnose your car from miles away, is better to have at someone reliable and trustworthy look at it. You never know how many owners that vehicle had and if they even took care of it. I've had my car since 2014 with 80k miles now is are 118k miles and still running like a champ, had to do a lot of work to it, but so far the only problem I had is the one you are having right now.

[JaySutton]

Originally Posted by sd_luis

I think you should get it inspected while you are at it, while you are looking at $600 gasket fix (and I wouldn't recommend diy since is your first car and BMW are not really vehicles you want to learn on.) see what other stuff might be wrong with it, anywhere from rust, electrical, other mechanical problems. While is nice being in this forum and getting advice from other members unless someone has some special powers and are able to diagnose your car from miles away, is better to have at someone reliable and trustworthy look at it. You never know how many owners that vehicle had and if they even took care of it. I've had my car since 2014 with 80k miles now is are 118k miles and still running like a champ, had to do a lot of work to it, but so far the only problem I had is the one you are having right now.

Ok thanks, I will get it checked out for any other problems.

[Eddien123]

Yeah I did my valve cover gasket myself a couple weeks ago and boy it was a pain in the ass. But If that's the only issue you have at 175k then you're doing good