[Kbman]

Okay so I'm purchasing a 2007 328i with 97k miles on it. It's got new rear brakes, newish tires, replaced starter and a few other things. I got a PPI a few days ago and it needs some normal wear and tear things like breaks within 10k miles so basically when I get the chance, and then of course it needs a new valve cover gasket. I was quoted for $500 on that job and then whatever the brakes cost and possibly a new rotor or resurfacing. Now my question is, is the valve cover gasket gonna be something I can do myself with a few tools or should I just invest the money in having my mechanic do it. Thank you!

[PichaDis11]

Valve Cover Gasket is definitely DIYable. Just takes a long time. about 6 Hours ish (take your time). You need a few specialty tools to get it done as well. Check the DIY section to see if you have the tools and able to manage it.

Regarding your rotors. My best advice is to replace rather than resurface. The car has 97k Miles pretty sure those rotors are now out of spec thickness-wise. Resurface is gonna even further reduce the thickness which amounts to a greater chance of warping down the road.

[Kbman]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

Valve Cover Gasket is definitely DIYable. Just takes a long time. about 6 Hours ish (take your time). You need a few specialty tools to get it done as well. Check the DIY section to see if you have the tools and able to manage it.

Regarding your rotors. My best advice is to replace rather than resurface. The car has 97k Miles pretty sure those rotors are now out of spec thickness-wise. Resurface is gonna even further reduce the thickness which amounts to a greater chance of warping down the road.

I appreciate the help! I understand that I need a torque wrench, some extensions or heads for it as well as maybe brake cleaner to clean up the residue where the gasket is placed.

[Efthreeoh]

You've not indicated your level of wrenching experience. Not flaming here, but the valve cover is not as simple at you think. The engine uses Valvetronic, which means the Valvetronic motor is bolted to the valve cover and needs to be removed, which complicates the procedure. Being that you asked if you could do the job with "just a few tools" indicates you may not have the level of skill or tools to remove and replace the valve cover with Valvetronic in it. If your tool set doesn't include E-Torx sockets and Torx sockets, then you'll have to get them. If your tool set doesn't already have E-Torx and Torx sockets it means you've not wrenched on many BMWs nor other modern cars, since E-Torx and Trox bolts/screws are pretty much the commonplace fasteners on modern automobiles.

I would suggest if you skill level is not very high and you don't have all the tools already in your tool set, maybe letting the mechanic do the work is the best route to take. You indicated that you are going to have the mechanic do the brakes, I would suggest the valve cover is much more difficult to do correctly than brakes are; meaning brakes are pretty simple and hard to mess up, a Valvetronic valve cover is more difficult and not doing it correctly can lead to an expensive repair of the valvetrain.