[QUOTE=trader4;1007556]He didn't say the valve cover gasket was replaced, he said the timing valve cover was replaced. Since he mentioned timing chain was replaced I assume the timing cover gasket was also replaced. He mentioned oil in one of the spark plug so I assume he was talking about valve cover gasket. He didn't say that his car was burning oil.

All,

Thanks for the replies. I will be going to the mechanic tomorrow so I will figure out exactly what work has been done so far, but reading the comments jogged my memory. It is in fact the Valve Stem Seal that needs replacing. The vehicle is currently using about a liter of oil every six weeks or so, and seems to be getting worse. We have just been swapping out the same spark plug that gets fouled, trying to put off the big job as long as possible. Mechanic said this won't work forever.

I made an appointment for a checked engine light (usually just the gas cap causing a false error) and asked about labor on the engine swap and was told $3K, that seems a bit steep? For what it's worth, every time I have checked my mechanic's quotes against other indy's or service centers he comes in 20-30% lower.

What is a fair hourly rate for a good wrench and how long do swaps take? Is there a directory for good indy's so I can find one in the DC region?

I either have to pay to swap it or pay to fix because I live in apartment, don't own tools and my car know-how includes changing oil.

For additional insight, we plan on keeping this car (if possible) for 4-5+ more years.

So you need valve seals done then...

How long have you owned the car? Valve seals is a common issue, what i would take into account is that if youve been keeping it up properly or had it for longer, its better to just do the seals ans invest in the engine that you know. You wont know a used engines history, the owner may have changed oil every 20k miles and will have more issues down the road.

Not only that the labor on pulling and installing a new motor will be more then this.. Im not sure which method your mechanic is doing and if he is pulling the heads or not, but it can be done now with the valve seal tool from AGA which simplifies it even more by just removing valve covers/intake and doing the seals that way. Valve cover gaskets and seals cost for parts is total beans $.

I was thinking rebuilt:

Like this one on Ebay

Saw a couple other options for $3,500 or so.

I have only had the vehicle about a year, but it has great service history with oil changes done on time at the dealership. If I recall correctly, it was a lease that was then purchased.

"New" engine won't solve the problem because you still sink money into the valve stem seals!


1. Best option is dealer tech working from home. This fellow is from Long Island NY and charges $2500 for it:
Valve stem seals done for $2500! - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums


2. If you DIY, then it is mostly parts, labor is yours:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-pointers.html

If the original owner leased the BMW and maintain it by BMW's schedule that means the oil was changed every 15,000 miles. Most leases are written for 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, so if the lease was for three years and he max out on the mileage of 12,000 per year the oil was change only twice.

And BMW will not provide oil change every 3,000 or 5,000 miles as part of their free maintenance program. Perhaps that is why valve stem seals are failing because the oil after 15,000 miles loses some of it's lubrication property and additives to keep seals pliable.

[QUOTE=trader4;1007632]I don't know what a timing valve cover is. That is what the OP stated in his first post.

Don't think the original poster is a mechanically car savvy guy. He didn't notice the blue smoke while inspecting the X prior to buying it. This condition didn't just happen over night. Another reason why one should get a PPI by a reputable mechanic before buying a X or any car that is expensive to repair.