[Fl_Rza_99]

Greetings everyone,

I've just had some maintenance work done on my 435i and found out that there is a leak coming from the valve cover gasket. The car just hit the 60k mark and is a 2015 model. I took it to an independent shop to have the oil and brake fluid changed and also had them replace the spark plugs. This cost a little over $700 US. Thought it was a little steep yet went ahead with it anyway because this shop has a good reputation. The technician noted that the valve cover gasket was leaking (I did notice that there was smell of burning oil coming through the cabin a couple of weeks ago, but not constantly). The shop quoted another $700 to get that done. What are your thoughts on the pricing. I know I could have done some of this work myself but I decided to let the shop do it.

Thanks for the input.

[Orion4]

Is that to replace just the gasket or also the valve cover? It's not unusual to find the cover has become warped due to heat cycles at around that mileage or higher, so it may not just be the gasket. With the amount of labor to remove and replace everything, you may be wise to replace both gasket and cover at one time.

[Billfitz]

DIY versus shop is a matter of which you have more of, time or money. FWIW:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2...t-set-n55-30l/

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...IaAgjtEALw_wcB

If the $700 is for a new gasket and cover it's a decent enough price. If it's for just the gasket, not so much.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Fl_Rza_99

Greetings everyone,

I've just had some maintenance work done on my 435i and found out that there is a leak coming from the valve cover gasket. The car just hit the 60k mark and is a 2015 model. I took it to an independent shop to have the oil and brake fluid changed and also had them replace the spark plugs. This cost a little over $700 US. Thought it was a little steep yet went ahead with it anyway because this shop has a good reputation. The technician noted that the valve cover gasket was leaking (I did notice that there was smell of burning oil coming through the cabin a couple of weeks ago, but not constantly). The shop quoted another $700 to get that done. What are your thoughts on the pricing. I know I could have done some of this work myself but I decided to let the shop do it.

Thanks for the input.

Seems like a fair price for gasket but labor rates are reflective of the local economy.

Make sure they inspect the cover for cracks.

[Fl_Rza_99]

Thanks for all your input guys. I ended up taking it in and getting the gasket replaced (just the gasket not the cover). They ensured me the cover was fine. Total cost came to $650 - they charged for 5 hours of labor and the gasket @ $60. I didn't want to try to tackle this myself and feel the price was fair, especially since the dealer quoted me over $1200 just to replace the gasket. I had to get this done sooner rather than later because the leak was causing a pretty terrible smell of burning oil.

[quakerroatmeal]

I'm a bit surprise this isn't a recall for BMW yet it seems to be quite common.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by quakerroatmeal

I'm a bit surprise this isn't a recall for BMW yet it seems to be quite common.

It's a feature. lol. Years ago when BMW I6 valve covers were metal they would usually warp. The plastic ones are usually good for one gasket change.