Elring valve cover gasket

[ChipperM3]

FCP shows this as the OE equivalent to the BMW valve cover gasket. I fully on board buying the known OE parts with a logo ground off to save money for the exact same part, but from what I’m reading, most are saying BMW or nothing with these gaskets or you’ll have leaking issues. This info doesn’t include anything from the old forum though, so....

[Nuclear Rabbit]

My car was leaking from the valve cover gasket so badly that it was starting to drip off the bottom of the engine. Took it apart and sure enough the PO used an Elring gasket without any extra gasket sealant added anywhere. I put a bead of black gasket sealant around 3/4 of the head, half moons, etc (just not injector side), let it dry for 24 hours and no more leak, at least for the last 2000 miles.. I'd definitely go OE BMW since they can be reused too.

[Stepstools]

I had originally ordered the elring one but ended up returning it to ECS and bought the BMW one after hearing the horror stories. They're not even remotely the same material. The elring one was fairly dry and hard, while the BMW one was much softer and seemed like viton. Definitely a good investment.

[bran.stum]

I can tell you from first-hand experience that my OE BMW vcg still leaked. I've heard the same thing about Elring gaskets though.

[Arith2]

ALOT of the guys who were around since the founding of M3forum have tried Rein, Felpro, Elring, and other less popular brands and it always came down to get the OEM. They would talk about them leaking within a few hundred to a few thousand miles. BMW will at least give you 20-30k.

[eacmen]

ALOT of the guys who were around since the founding of M3forum have tried Rein, Felpro, Elring, and other less popular brands and it always came down to get the OEM. They would talk about them leaking within a few hundred to a few thousand miles. BMW will at least give you 20-30k.

Concur. Nothing but trouble with "OE" gaskets. Genuine BMW or nothing. Just buy the Genuine one from FCP Euro and keep going back for replacements if it leaks.

[r4dr]

Concur. Nothing but trouble with "OE" gaskets. Genuine BMW or nothing. Just buy the Genuine one from FCP Euro and keep going back for replacements if it leaks.

Or just use their lifetime replacement warranty every time you do a valve adjustment. If they last 40k miles, you're already doing valves every 30k anyway...

Does this apply to all the O rings as well? Same quality differences?

[eacmen]

Or just use their lifetime replacement warranty every time you do a valve adjustment. If they last 40k miles, you're already doing valves every 30k anyway...

Does this apply to all the O rings as well? Same quality differences?

It's not a matter of longevity. The non bmw gaskets can start leaking right away.

For hard to get to O rings I use genuine bmw. For the cooling system, ps, smg check out the viton o rings bring sold on this forum. Everything else OE is fine.

[Obioban]

OE gasket is good for waaaay longer than 30k. I do mine every inspection 2, and even that's excessive, imo-- I suspect the actual service life is more like 100,000 miles. I never add any gasket maker sealant and have never had any leaks, in either car.

And I wouldn't get anything other than OE for this part.

[r4dr]

It's not a matter of longevity. The non bmw gaskets can start leaking right away.

For hard to get to O rings I use genuine bmw. For the cooling system, ps, smg check out the viton o rings bring sold on this forum. Everything else OE is fine.

Sorry, meant the grommets on the valve cover. Though I guess buy it right, buy it once.

[Arith2]

OE gasket is good for waaaay longer than 30k. I do mine every inspection 2, and even that's excessive, imo-- I suspect the actual service life is more like 100,000 miles. I never add any gasket maker sealant and have never had any leaks, in either car.

And I wouldn't get anything other than OE for this part.

There's something about BMW valve cover gaskets. They seem to crap out quickly but a Mercedes can go 10 years on the same VCG. I have little faith in BMW VCGs. Hope for the best but prepare the worst though.

[Obioban]

There's something about BMW valve cover gaskets. They seem to crap out quickly but a Mercedes can go 10 years on the same VCG. I have little faith in BMW VCGs. Hope for the best but prepare the worst though.

That’s much more true on plastic valve cover bmws than alu valve cover bmws (s54).

[Arith2]

That’s much more true on plastic valve cover bmws than alu valve cover bmws (s54).

You got that right. Especially in FL

[ChipperM3]

Thanks guys. I ordered one from a local dealership for $105 cdn. The price wasn’t bad at all considering how much more I’m quoted for parts usually at the dealer compared to FCP etc.

[Arith2]

FCP is cheaper long term though.