[fortythirtyfive]

Both my oil pan and valve cover gaskets need doing, the majority of quotes are in the region of £350-400 plus parts and that's just for the valve cover job so I'm going to do it myself.

I have done 99% of the installation on my mods so far and this doesn't seem all that hard, just time consuming.

I have ordered a new vent pipe as I'm aware they're brittle and known to disintegrate, however.. the amount of valve cover options I have found is quite confusing.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/11127570292

I won't be using autodoc as I have had some questionable parts from them, including counterfeit Bosch parts. However, does the brand really differ? Should I be looking at any in particular? They range from £90 all the way up to £350. I have local access to febi bilstein parts however quite a few in the £150-200 region look identical. If I can save money then this is an added bonus as I will most definitely be letting a garage do the oil pan gasket which is north of £800 in quotes so far.

[fortythirtyfive]

FTR I purchased the Febi one, they offer a pretty good warranty and I've had their parts before.

Managed to get a 10% off voucher so hopefully it'll be here in time for the weekend to fit.

[Lingling]

I’ve used Elring and OEM VC in the past with no issues. As for the either ones I’m not too sure about it. I always use FCP euro which makes replacement a breeze

[Randy Johnson]

FCPEuro has a few to choose from. I only replaced the gasket. I don't recall the one I bought but it was only like $25 us. I also ordered the vent pipe. I've saved thousands DIYing with FCPEuro.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/43...=valve%20cover

[fortythirtyfive]

All the deliveries arrived today, the Febi one looks perfect.

I'll feedback tomorrow after fitting but generally speaking Febi Bilstein are German OE equivalents when it comes to parts including a 3 year warranty on most, so hopefully I won't have any issues. I also ended up paying £240 which is around $290.

[fortythirtyfive]

Fitment is great, looks exactly like the OEM part apart from the fact it has a faint Febi stamp on the side.

Had a pain in the ass trying to reach the back three screws. The RHD euro cars don’t have detachable cabling like in the guide videos (the positive lead and other wiring - they actually attach to the back of the engine on clips too which can’t be undone without the engine out) so I had to fight against a lot of the looms and work underneath it.

The new vent breather pipe was made by Gates, I assumed it would be much better as it uses tougher plastic clips and a rubber hose to stop it going brittle, however.. it’s short by around 1cm. I tried my best to make it fit and ended up snapping the flange off the turbo inlet pipe, so now it looks like I may as well upgrade that instead of buying another plastic one.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

Fitment is great, looks exactly like the OEM part apart from the fact it has a faint Febi stamp on the side.

Had a pain in the ass trying to reach the back three screws. The RHD euro cars don’t have detachable cabling like in the guide videos (the positive lead and other wiring - they actually attach to the back of the engine on clips too which can’t be undone without the engine out) so I had to fight against a lot of the looms and work underneath it.

The new vent breather pipe was made by Gates, I assumed it would be much better as it uses tougher plastic clips and a rubber hose to stop it going brittle, however.. it’s short by around 1cm. I tried my best to make it fit and ended up snapping the flange off the turbo inlet pipe, so now it looks like I may as well upgrade that instead of buying another plastic one.

MST v2 or CTS for inlet

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

MST v2 or CTS for inlet

V2 is the fitting for the hybrid turbo right? IIRC it fits the stock turbo though and only provides an improvement with the V2 fitting (V1 still bottle necks right..)?

[n55david]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

V2 is the fitting for the hybrid turbo right? IIRC it fits the stock turbo though and only provides an improvement with the V2 fitting (V1 still bottle necks right..)?

You want the cts or mst v2 regardless of what turbo you have.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

V2 is the fitting for the hybrid turbo right? IIRC it fits the stock turbo though and only provides an improvement with the V2 fitting (V1 still bottle necks right..)?

Yes, the v1 is just a thicker piece of metal, so it necks down the inner diameter for no reason. The outer diamter is the same, which is why it works on both turbos.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Yes, the v1 is just a thicker piece of metal, so it necks down the inner diameter for no reason. The outer diamter is the same, which is why it works on both turbos.

Great.

I managed to get the car over my pit today and released the 10mm bolt holding the oem inlet pipe. The thing came out so easily compared to some videos only, it literally fell out. Once I got it to the top it began crumbling so in the trash it went.

Before removing the oem inlet I did have to start the car to get it to move forwards over the pit. Obviously with me having the vent pipe unhooked (but the sensor plugged in) it seemed to be real upset. Took a solid 6 seconds to crank and then when it did start I had stalling and rough idling.. just for peace of mind this is purely down to me having the vent pipe off right? Creating an air leak.

It was merely a few seconds whilst I got the car out of park and moved forwards 5 feet, however it unnerved me a bit as I wasn't expecting it for some reason.

[lucasborka]

I did go with Elring for the valve cover and gasket. Same for my ofgh, no leaks so far

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

Great.

I managed to get the car over my pit today and released the 10mm bolt holding the oem inlet pipe. The thing came out so easily compared to some videos only, it literally fell out. Once I got it to the top it began crumbling so in the trash it went.

Before removing the oem inlet I did have to start the car to get it to move forwards over the pit. Obviously with me having the vent pipe unhooked (but the sensor plugged in) it seemed to be real upset. Took a solid 6 seconds to crank and then when it did start I had stalling and rough idling.. just for peace of mind this is purely down to me having the vent pipe off right? Creating an air leak.

It was merely a few seconds whilst I got the car out of park and moved forwards 5 feet, however it unnerved me a bit as I wasn't expecting it for some reason.

It's a massive vacuum leak, so yes that was probably it

[fortythirtyfive]

OEM BMW vent hose delivered same day in 4 hours from their midlands depot, MST pipe arrived at 10am this morning (V2 with the double gasket and non restrictive flange) fitted it after 2-3 hours of fiddling trying to get the flange bit in. I eventually lubed it with a tiny bit of oil so that the gaskets would glide over easier.





Need to clear the codes when I get back from work and check nothing is being thrown, I managed to sneak a 15 minute drive in though before I had to go back to work and everything felt nice.

Do I ever wanna fit another? Hell no, I didn't unbolt the water pump so maybe I made life hard for myself but I persevered through the tiny gap over all the coolant pipes and managed it.

I also did the serpentine belt, tensioner and pulley replacement service whilst I was in there as it had never been done before 82k miles.

[thejeremyman9]

Nice, are you running the MPPK airbox bottom (or cut the hole)?

[arekuf3x]

Oem vc is the way, I hate doing the job twice.

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Nice, are you running the MPPK airbox bottom (or cut the hole)?

Nope, I never really bothered upgrading it back in the day as there were so many conflicting thoughts around intake upgrades, whether or not they heat soaked. Then again we're no longer in 2015 so I should probably revisit it.

Currently I have a K&N drop in air filter, I got it purely because ECP screwed up and listed it for £18.99 but still shipped it as goodwill. They actually sell for £64.00.

How much would I realistically benefit from the hole mod versus an intake upgrade?

Originally Posted by arekuf3x

Oem vc is the way, I hate doing the job twice.

Yeah I'm sure it is, however Febi make some really solid parts. They're German manufacturers and supply some OE equipment to car brands who rebadge them. There was a few cheaper options including all the way down to £90 so it wasn't a cheap'd out part.

The main reason for me trying to save some cash is that my oil pan gasket needs doing and that I won't be able to tackle myself.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

Nope, I never really bothered upgrading it back in the day as there were so many conflicting thoughts around intake upgrades, whether or not they heat soaked. Then again we're no longer in 2015 so I should probably revisit it.

Currently I have a K&N drop in air filter, I got it purely because ECP screwed up and listed it for £18.99 but still shipped it as goodwill. They actually sell for £64.00.

How much would I realistically benefit from the hole mod versus an intake upgrade?

Just cut the whole as i detail here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=173

Also a good read: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765289

[fortythirtyfive]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Just cut the whole as i detail here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=173

Also a good read: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765289

Thanks, I actually had it out to wash whilst waiting for the MST inlet pipe, I'll take it back out this weekend and drill the holes.

Also, out of curiosity is the MST inlet pipe fine to sit this close to the engine? It literally sits on the metal engine case touching it.. I just don't wanna take it for a spirited drive and later find it's melted a giant hole in the pipe lol

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by fortythirtyfive

Thanks, I actually had it out to wash whilst waiting for the MST inlet pipe, I'll take it back out this weekend and drill the holes.

Also, out of curiosity is the MST inlet pipe fine to sit this close to the engine? It literally sits on the metal engine case touching it.. I just don't wanna take it for a spirited drive and later find it's melted a giant hole in the pipe lol

Cut a hole to copy MPPK, dont drill holes. I have pics in mine.

Yeah its a tight fit, pretty sure mine is the same.