One of the reasons the CCV is buried where it is to hopefully keep it warmer, they even have insulated "cold weather" CCV valves and hoses. I use these when I replace the CCV and hoses.

You can typically get 10-12 years out of the CCV system. I prefer to replace mine along with intake boots, valve cover gasket, OFHG, fuel pump and filter and pretty much any headache part by year 8. This way I rarely, if ever, have unexpected repairs. The deal is these repairs WILL need to be performed, I prefer to do them on my schedule and not the cars schedule.

Its not just BMW's that need to be driven in the cold weather for longer distances, but your average I4 or V6 engine in a Japanese or American car has a 4-5 quart oil sump, the BMW's tend to have 7-9 quart sumps depending on the engine and vehicle model. Driving any car in the Winter temps short distances can and will be catastrophic.

I recall MANY years ago like in the in 1979-1980 a car was towed into the shop in the Winter that was a no start. A full size late 70's GM, probably a Buick or Pontiac owned by an elderly woman that did not drive far. After a lot of head scratching and attempts to get the engine started, we finally figured out the muffler was filled with condensation and frozen. Layers of condensation built up in the muffler because the car was driving for only very short trips and finally the exhaust was fully restricted and the engine either would not start or start and die quickly with no power.

I have seen it all at one point or another. The BMW CCV system works when it is clean and maintained, it needs to be replaced like most other CCV/PCV systems in other vehicles and you change it probably once in your ownership of the vehicle.

For anyone that does not want to deal with vehicle repairs. Lease a car, it may still have problems, but it will be under warranty for the entire lease in most cases and you will not have the car typically past year 3.

Simple solution, replace the vehicle every 3 years and do not pay for repairs. Just keep the annual mileage under the max allowable otherwise it will cost you plenty at the end of the Lease.

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2008 4.8i Black with Tabacco. Black Y-spoke wheels and shadowline trim.