Not happy.Annual valve cover oil leak.

[Hvacdude]

Ok, so when I bought my used x5{2003,120k miles} I searched this forum for common issues that our cars have. The thing that really scared me was the ccv/valve cover leaks/hydro lock curse. This is my first winter with the car. Driving it the other day, I smelled the distinct scent of roasting motor oil. My very first thought was a blown valve cover gasket. On my way to the Detroit auto show I could smell it again. Parked it, opened the hood, found it wet around the valve cover. Thanked God the engine didn't hydro lock/suck oil.
So I gotta change the gasket. I'll be good for ? Who knows? The next time it gets freezing cold... Next winter.... Engine blows the next time the CCV freezes up...
After reading the threads on this issue, I knew it would happen to me. Lots of chatter about this issue, no real solutions. I thought, just eliminate the whole ccv system. Vent the pistion blow by into a can or put a check valve in the line going to the dipstick. Maybe a pressure relief valve in the valve cover that pop's before the gaskets do. It would prolly freeze shut too.
I don't do short runs with the car. I start it and go and it is warmed up when I shut it off. Warmming it up, I don't think it matters. That valve freezes up and yer screwed.
Is this going to be a annual thing ?
What should I do ?
I Kinda missing my $1000 Jeep now. I could just dump a quart of oil in it when I started to hear the motor clikity clack, and if It died... It was easy to fix or get another one .
I'm starting to "get over" BMW's . They changed after 2000. Not as reliable/well engineered or well built as the older beemers I've had.