[iqraceworks]

I don’t mind spending good money on OEM parts like Injectors, engine mounts, oil filters, transmission pan/filter, suspension arms,…...stuff like that. But for a valve cover, the OEM one is $400 from FCP Euro and there are several different aftermarket ones I’ve seen on Amazon for $100 or less.

What does paying 4 times as much for the OEM one get you? I don’t mind spending money on maintenance, but I don’t want to throw money away if there is a way to save some. Just because it’s not OEM doesn’t mean it’s junk….or does it?

Has anyone had good luck with the aftermarket VC’s, or are they all junk and crack/leak in a short period of time? I’ve seen mixed reviews….some guys say they work fantastic, other guys say they are junk. It’s the internet….so I take everything with a grain of salt.

[Gregrobin]

I am having this one installed tomorrow: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...er-11127565284

I opened the box, looked at it, looks solid, but I have nothing to compare it to :-)

Looking at what you have invested in your car, do you want to risk it? Rhetorical question...

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

Looking at what you have invested in your car, do you want to risk it? Rhetorical question...

I think his point was that he doesn't see this as a critical part (unlike injectors, water pump, turbos, etc). And I agree. $400 for a piece of plastic is totally bonkers. What exactly is the risk? I sprung for an $80 one 15 months ago. It had a tiny hole in the front of it from the beginning, which I didn't notice till after I installed it, so that was lame. I filled it with some JB Weld and all has been well since. Less than ideal, but I don't regret getting a cheap one.

The difference is probably in the phrase "I am having this one installed". Would hate to pay for labor twice, but it's not the end of the world for me to have to swap it out again at some point.

[Gregrobin]

Originally Posted by stewbets

I think his point was that he doesn't see this as a critical part (unlike injectors, water pump, turbos, etc).

Well said, didn't think about it that way.

The dealer and another service shop convinced me, or maybe scared me is a better phrase, that I might as well replace it with a good one while doing the gasket so I do not have to pay the labor again. I did save some money buying it myself and letting the service shop do the install.

[whyzee125]

A lot of people have had issues with the Uro ones cracking prematurely. I would just get the $400 OEM one from FCP

[Aceway]

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1805322

Here's the most recent example I remember of a member having problems with a cheap valve cover. I have personal experience with two. Both were in the $100-140 range. They caused nothing but problems. Never personally spoken to anyone that had good luck with them.

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by Aceway

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1805322

Here's the most recent example I remember of a member having problems with a cheap valve cover. I have personal experience with two. Both were in the $100-140 range. They caused nothing but problems. Never personally spoken to anyone that had good luck with them.

Wow....yeah, that lost really turns me off on the aftermarket VC's.....

[ErvGotti]

I have about 18 months and 16k miles on a URO valve cover, no problems so far. I also replaced the PCV valve with an RB one and the PCV vent tube I also have the Vargas valve cover breather, so not a lot of pressure is building up in the engine or I just might have gotten lucky. I've been on upgraded twins at 22 PSI for all of the 16K miles.

[Dave92N54]

Been running the rein cover sold by BimmerWorld since August and ~7k miles. Seems to be holding up fine, no issues with it as far as I can tell. It's only moderately cheaper than the genuine one from FCP though, if I had to do it again I probably would have just bought that one. Figured if BimmerWorld was selling it, should be alright.

[Gregrobin]

FCP Euro one installed today. So far so good ;-)

The lifetime warranty from them makes purchases a lot easier.

I kept my original one if anyone needs/wants it.

[iqraceworks]

Are the valve covers (or the internal PCV components inside of them) ever the cause of a smoking exhaust when coasting/coming to a stop? My car is starting to do that....even with an OCC. Or is that always a turbo seal problem??

[ErvGotti]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

Are the valve covers (or the internal PCV components inside of them) ever the cause of a smoking exhaust when coasting/coming to a stop? My car is starting to do that....even with an OCC. Or is that always a turbo seal problem??

It can cause smoking issues, over pressurization of the engine can cause oil drain issues in the turbo's, causing the oil to pool up within them and cause smoking issues.

[NoGuru]

Could get cast Aluminum https://www.m18.racing/p/n53vc2?sele...284b70cc005bea

Edit: VTT has them as well https://vargasturbo.com/product/vtt-...#configuration

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by NoGuru

Could get cast Aluminum https://www.m18.racing/p/n53vc2?sele...284b70cc005bea

Cool, but not $800 cool

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by ErvGotti

It can cause smoking issues, over pressurization of the engine can cause oil drain issues in the turbo's, causing the oil to pool up within them and cause smoking issues.

Sounds like it would be smart to change the valve cover before I jump the gun and buy new turbos....

Think I will just bite the bullet and go FCP Euro.......

[iqraceworks]

Bit the bullet and ordered a valve cover from FCP Euro tonight.