M54 VCG is one of the easiest maintenance tasks

Make sure to replace the gasket, including the one around the spark plug wells AND all the rubber donuts for the bolts.

RTV where the upper timing cover meets the head and at the corners of the half moons in the back. This means 6 locations total with RTV.

Leave the torque wrench in the toolbox. Tighten the bolts until they bottom out and stop. Can't count on one hand how many people snap those bolts then say "I was following the torque spec!"