[acg2002us]

2010 BMW 328i Xdrive SULEV
107k
Originally a NJ car.

After trying to do some research apparently my car already has the 3 stage intake??? can anybody confirm? What tune do I need to utilize to make the 3 stage active?

Also my valve cover is leaking oil think I can use my SULEV Warranty here in TX to fix it? any tips when calling the dealership?

thank you so much in advance.

[mainbearing]

You can call BMW NA just to verify. Once a PZEV vehicle is sold or leased in a CARB state, the warranty should apply.

Page 42 of the warranty booklet:
https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...nformation.pdf
"The California Emissions Control System Limited Warranty applies to all 2010 U.S. specification BMW SULEV (PZEV) vehicles sold, leased, and/or registered in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island or Vermont."

BMW NA Customer Relations and Services Department at:
Telephone: 1 800 831-1117
Email: customerrelations@bmwusa.com
Website: www.bmwusa.com

I believe the 3-stage is already active? No?

[sgtfury40]

I had an e46 SULEV in AZ and got the tank replaced under warranty, so even though not a CARB state you may still get warranty work for SULEV or emissions equipment. Not sure that a oil leak at valve cover would qualify.

[mainbearing]

Looking at the wording again, the "and/or" does suggest that if it was once sold as SULEV in a CARB state the warranty applies. [corrected, thanks!]

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

You can call BMW NA just to verify. Once a PZEV vehicle is sold or leased in a CARB state, the warranty should apply.

Page 42 of the warranty booklet:
https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...nformation.pdf
"The California Emissions Control System Limited Warranty applies to all 2010 U.S. specification BMW SULEV (PZEV) vehicles sold, leased, and/or registered in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island or Vermont."

BMW NA Customer Relations and Services Department at:
Telephone: 1 800 831-1117
Email: customerrelations@bmwusa.com
Website: www.bmwusa.com

I believe the 3-stage is already active? No?

It depends on the model year as to what the requirements are for the waranty to apply, and you are correct 2010 is the split. Up to and including 2010, the car only had to be sold new OR registered in a CA Emissions state to have the SULEV warranty. 2011 and on it was to have been both sold in a CA Emissions state AND currently registered in one. Which is why my 128i is still registered in Maine, when really it lives primarily in Florida. I figure the extra $150 or so in annual registration is worth it for when one of those expensive covered items craps out. And I own homes in both states.

The 3-stage intake is definitely used on the N51, it makes up for the lower compression ratio so sadly there is really no extra hp to be had. N51 and N52 are rated the same, but owning one of each I will say in reality the N52 is torquier. My e91 will pull harder down low than my e88 will, and it's not really that subtle a difference. The N52 e91 gets notably better fuel economy too - both are 6MT. Some of that is probably down to aerodynamics, but even around town the wagon is notably better even though it's a bit heavier. A good 15% difference.

[acg2002us]

They recognized the SULEV warranty but said that a valve cover gasket would not be covered as it is not "emissions".

Kinda weird when the tech looked up my VIN he recognized the PCV recall has been done in FEB/23 yet my valve cover is leaking 2 months later? Not looking good for SULEV success story

I did call BMW NA but wasn't much help got the old well its up to the dealership to do the work line call them.


Thinking ill do a euro airbox and a AA or other stage 1 tune to see if it makes it even more fun to drive.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by acg2002us

They recognized the SULEV warranty but said that a valve cover gasket would not be covered as it is not "emissions".

Kinda weird when the tech looked up my VIN he recognized the PCV recall has been done in FEB/23 yet my valve cover is leaking 2 months later? Not looking good for SULEV success story

I did call BMW NA but wasn't much help got the old well its up to the dealership to do the work line call them.


Thinking ill do a euro airbox and a AA or other stage 1 tune to see if it makes it even more fun to drive.

The "valve cover gasket set" is on the list of things covered for 2010, right out of the warranty book. It's emissions related because it can cause a vacuum leak, which will affect emissions. Pretty much all the gaskets are covered.

This is the page for my 2011, but 2010 is the same (and mine had the gasket replaced under warranty before I bought it):

Capture by kevinr1916, on Flickr

And the second page for completeness:

Capture by kevinr1916, on Flickr

[acg2002us]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

The "valve cover gasket set" is on the list of things covered for 2010, right out of the warranty book. It's emissions related because it can cause a vacuum leak, which will affect emissions. Pretty much all the gaskets are covered.

This is the page for my 2011, but 2010 is the same (and mine had the gasket replaced under warranty before I bought it):

Capture by kevinr1916, on Flickr

And the second page for completeness:

Capture by kevinr1916, on Flickr

Appreciated my friend all great info!!! Just hard getting some action put in at a dealership behind it.

[acg2002us]

***UPDATE** 4/26/23


Glad I get to add to the SULEV warranty success post with my very own post and story down here in TX!!!!

2010 328i N51 SULEV originally sold and registered in NJ now in TX
107k mileage

The smoke tested my valve cover and it held so the replaced the valve cover gasket set and also fixed a stripped valvetronics motor bolt.

Looks like a solid repair from what I've seen.

Thank you Sewell BMW Plano TX.

[mainbearing]

Nice!

Some dealerships are clueless about the SULEV coverage according to some posts. So sometimes one needs to push them.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by acg2002us

***UPDATE** 4/26/23


Glad I get to add to the SULEV warranty success post with my very own post and story down here in TX!!!!

2010 328i N51 SULEV originally sold and registered in NJ now in TX
107k mileage

The smoke tested my valve cover and it held so the replaced the valve cover gasket set and also fixed a stripped valvetronics motor bolt.

Looks like a solid repair from what I've seen.

Thank you Sewell BMW Plano TX.

Fantastic!!

[happypr]

BMW dealership verified my oil leak is coming from the valve cover wanted to charge me $2k , I then kindly advised them this was a SULEV N51 engine and it should be cover and now they are looking at the valve cover to verify it's OEM and if it is they will cover it I hope !!

[Bims328i]

Fingers crossed! I just did my valve cover a few months back along with OFHG and picked up a genuine replacement.

The job wasn't all too difficult though I do recommend removing two of the three under cowl bolts.

Also moving the junction box wiring out of the way and how to remove the spark plug sleeves.

Other than that, it was pretty straightforward. I also get the peace of mind knowing I made sure all the surfaces were nice and clean, double checked torques and all. Cleaned some parts like the front connector and such.

Been running smoofh ever since!

[happypr]

Originally Posted by happypr

BMW dealership verified my oil leak is coming from the valve cover wanted to charge me $2k , I then kindly advised them this was a SULEV N51 engine and it should be cover and now they are looking at the valve cover to verify it's OEM and if it is they will cover it I hope !!

UPDATE: After verifying my valve cover was OEM, they honored the SULEV warranty at NO cost to me. Had them do an oil change since the car was there ! So total cost to me $99 !!

Except NOW I see there is a recall for the VANOS bolts

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by happypr

UPDATE: After verifying my valve cover was OEM, they honored the SULEV warranty at NO cost to me. Had them do an oil change since the car was there ! So total cost to me $99 !!

Except NOW I see there is a recall for the VANOS bolts

Great that it worked out! Looks like you'll get a new-new one very soon! If they replace the entire VC, ask to keep the old-new one when they take it off, as you know it is brand new! Either sell or keep for when your N51 is outside the warranty window.

[mainbearing]

These examples just go to show that BMW NA and some dealerships can be absolutely clueless about SULEV warranty coverage. You practically have to point it out to them, twice, LOL. Yes, keep pushing!

[Cal122]

Originally Posted by happypr

UPDATE: After verifying my valve cover was OEM, they honored the SULEV warranty at NO cost to me.

Thanks for sharing this about them verifying the parts in the car were genuine before they would honor the warranty. They recently replaced my cover and gasket as well under warranty. Now I know if I am replacing certain other parts proactively, best to use genuine so they'll have to honor replacement. For example, the mass airflow sensor is part of Sulev, so I'll probably buy a genuine air filter now so there are no issues with coverage in the future.

[happypr]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Great that it worked out! Looks like you'll get a new-new one very soon! If they replace the entire VC, ask to keep the old-new one when they take it off, as you know it is brand new! Either sell or keep for when your N51 is outside the warranty window.

So apparently the valve cover was cracked. They also replaced my oil filter cover also replaced under warranty.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by happypr

So apparently the valve cover was cracked. They also replaced my oil filter cover also replaced under warranty.

Living the good life!