[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

>"Is this job easier on an N54/55 than on an N52?"

Is there that much difference? I know on the N52 you have to deal with the valvetronic motor, but on the N54 you have all the direct-inject fuel lines, and the awful little injector connectors. Seems to me like about the same difference. But, I've never done an N52. The N54 was not all that different from the M54, other than the things mentioned above.

Thanks. I couldn’t think of anything beyond what you describe too, but I don’t know enough about the engine bay of an N54 E90 to speak on whether there is more clearance, etc.

So, it sounds about the same diff.

I like what you’re saying… Hopefully I’ll come away from it feeling like you did, wondering what all the fuss is about!

[mainbearing]

I used Uro and it worked fine. It came with an OEM Mahle (Victor-Heinz) valvetronic motor gasket (football). I would add some RTV between that and the cover, just make sure not too much RTV to go into the valve cover.

There was a post about how the eccentric sensor does not seem to line up with Uro, here is the thread: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1831735

If you have doubts, then consider getting the genuine cover from FCP. They carry lifetime replacement warranty.

What I used:



Check the 3-way CCV plastic pipe. I had some problem with the football and oil filler seeping oil. Put in a new pipe and that stopped. The pipe looked dry and intact, therefore I suspect the connectors and o-rings.

I still need to track down an occasional oil fume smell from somewhere. The only oily grime I see are the ATF cooler lines but the fume did not smell like ATF.

Originally Posted by CmdrSheppard20

Hi new member here. Just wanna give a shout-out to everyone that's contributed to these forums, they've helped me many times and I've finally gotten around to creating a profile. Was hoping for an update on the Uro VC and how it has held up since.. plan was to replace VCG and the other gaskets but after reading about the plastic VC possibly breaking after removal I've about decided to go with the whole VC kit. Any feedback would be much appreciated but as far as OEM vs aftermarket I'd like to try the Uro. Thanks!

[richas]

I recently replaced a very warped URO cover with a Febi BilStein valve cover purchased from AutohausAZ.

[mainbearing]

In that case the lifetime replacement policy from FCP would work.

Originally Posted by richas

I recently replaced a very warped URO cover with a Febi BilStein valve cover purchased from AutohausAZ.

[e90yyc]

I had no idea there were so many options for N52 VCs… Just check out ECS and you’ll see what I mean.

Some of them actually look quite good. I know folks here seem to speak highly of URO, but there are some other (in my opinion) more attractive brands, like Elring, that are around the same price point. It made me curious who’s the OE supplier for the VC, which I’ve never given much thought to before.

[TGTIW]

What's awesome is when you lay out the money for an OE BMW valve cover and it gets shipped with such poor packaging that it breaks through the bottom of the shipping box.

[3PedalJake]

As big a PIA as the external CCV on the early N52s w/ the magnesium VC is, I'm happy this thread doesn't apply to me. A little scotchbrite and mine are good to go back on over an over.

[SoCal_NSX]

just a heads up for all e90 owners

So, I bought a 2008 328i for my son last week from a friend...took it to my indy guy and asked how much for a quick inspection? his wife tells me $225 for a full shake down...

So, I'm like ok...I'll get back to you...yeah right!

Luckily the Carfax said there was an open recall on the car so I took it over to local BMW dealer and just asked the SA if she could give me any service info or check for recalls for me? She was awesome(and smokin hot too btw) and checks it out and says she can get me in under an emissions recall....ok cool, free inspection and maybe some free work done!
So I brought it on Friday morning and they ended up changing all the spark plugs and coil packs and valve cover!!! $0.00


Car had 105xxx miles btw, so it wouldn't hurt to take your car to BMW and try to get some free stuff done due to the emissions recall

[SoCal_NSX]

quick PSA

just had spark plugs, coil packs, valve cover/gasket replaced for free at my local BMW dealership(thank you BMW of Murrieta )

recently bought a 2008 328i with 105xxx from friend at work and took it to BMW
to see if they could give me service history report and check for recalls...

The lovely young SA girl hooked me up with an "emissions recall" and took it in for inspection

Dropped it off on Friday morning and had it back back Saturday with new coil packs, spark plugs and valve cover

No charge .... wow! gotta love BMW

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

quick PSA

just had spark plugs, coil packs, valve cover/gasket replaced for free at my local BMW dealership(thank you BMW of Murrieta )

recently bought a 2008 328i with 105xxx from friend at work and took it to BMW
to see if they could give me service history report and check for recalls...

The lovely young SA girl hooked me up with an "emissions recall" and took it in for inspection

Dropped it off on Friday morning and had it back back Saturday with new coil packs, spark plugs and valve cover

No charge .... wow! gotta love BMW

The opposite of my experience at Riverside BMW... used to be my GO TO, now really disappointing service experience. Parts dept. is awesome though. Keep it down south!

[SoCal_NSX]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

The opposite of my experience at Riverside BMW... used to be my GO TO, now really disappointing service experience. Parts dept. is awesome though. Keep it down south!

I've always had great experience with BMW of Murrieta ...

Last year my 2015 428i had a check engine light which was for a bad thermostat

after researching parts and YouTube videos to see if I could do it myself, I stumbled upon a post on here about extended warranty on that particular part, so I went over to BMW and sure enough...fixed it for free

Then they hooked it up again on the '08 I just bought for my kid last week
I'm guessing that was probably well over $1000 worth of free parts and labor

Next time bring it down here and ask for Skye


gotta love BMW

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

I've always had great experience with BMW of Murrieta ...

Last year my 2015 428i had a check engine light which was for a bad thermostat

after researching parts and YouTube videos to see if I could do it myself, I stumbled upon a post on here about extended warranty on that particular part, so I went over to BMW and sure enough...fixed it for free

Then they hooked it up again on the '08 I just bought for my kid last week
I'm guessing that was probably well over $1000 worth of free parts and labor

Next time bring it down here and ask for Skye


gotta love BMW

Great to read! Riverside used to be just like that, but the last time I went there, with an appt for Thursday, they didn't even see it till Monday, then not repaired till Tuesday. In the end it was a stupid oil level sensor I could have swapped out myself. It was our "new" car, so wanted to get it looked over by the supposed experts. They really wanted to sell us a new set of tires more than anything. Live/learn...

I may try out Prestige in Riverside next time. Quality indies are few and far between...

[carlover7]

PSA:
For E90 SULEV models - VGC can be replaced under warranty. No cost including diagnostic.
There’s a 15 yr California SULEV warranty
The dealer likely is clueless or won’t tell you but you can educate them.
It prints on their internal system when they run the car VIN.
It will show applicable warranty and SULEV as possibly applicable.

[whyzee125]

OEM. Seems like everyone says the Uro ones cracked after a year or less.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

OEM. Seems like everyone says the Uro ones cracked after a year or less.

my URO cover has been installed for 4 years and 50K miles without issue.

[MacManus99]

@nsjames
I appreciate the follow up. Been reading through the thread and found your experiences with this part to be valuable.

[LABAKS]

Originally Posted by Montegowagon

I got mine from autozone. With a discount coupon that they run often the cost was about $300 for the valve cover and included new bolts and gasket. It’s a URO brand and installed fine and has not leaked in the 2 months since I replaced it.

How’s the Valve cover holding up? How long has it lasted you? I’m thinking of picking one up tomorrow.