My extended warranty covered the repair. The indy I used quoted about 20 hours of labor, so multiply that by the shop's labor rate. Parts are pretty cheap, I think. I've read on some other forums (Bimmerforums maybe?) about a guy in New Jersey or somewhere like that on the east coast who will do it over a weekend for about $1500. But that's a long drive from Chicago. ;)

The valve stem seals are not a cheap repair. And from what the indy shops I talked to told me and what I've read, the smoke doesn't really do any damage other than causing you to top off the oil on a regular basis (check every gas fill-up).

If you want to put off the repair until you can save up for it, you can try a high mileage oil or a stop-leak, seal-swelling oil additive. Liqui-Moly is a brand which I've seen mentioned and recommended frequently. But I don't have personal experience with it.

If your area allows it (temperature wise) 20w50 can help. I run it in the X and only get smoke if idling for 15 minutes or more. Never at stop lights.

My brother in law is planning on buying the X in October so I'll tell him it will need valve stem seals in the future, it's expensive, and no I won't do it for you. LOL. If he ends up not buying it, I'll fix it when the oil consumption gets ridiculous or the smoke starts appearing at stop lights.

It's almost 100% the valve stem seals. Same exact symptoms on my 4.4i.

I respectfully disagree with Doru. I just finished this job, and after wrenching on cars for 20+ cars I can say this is just about the worst job I've ever done, even WITH the camshafts removed. Visibility is poor, access is tight, to remove one thing requires loosening or removing several other parts. I broke open the A/C lines just to get access to everything.

I now have the AGA N62 valve stem seal toolkit for sale.