Topics you’ll find in this article:
OEM Part Numbers
Replacement Cost
Compatibility
Where to Buy
How-to Video
One of the most common places for BMW E46s to leak oil is from the valve cover. Model for 1999 thru 2006 suffered from this issue. If you have an oil leak down the exhaust side or front of your engine, it’s likely you need to replace your valve cover or your gasket.
When the valve cover gasket leaks, it can create quite a mess and seem much worse than it is. Engine oil can also leak into spark plug hole in the cylinder head, contaminating the ignition coil boot.
If you find a crack, you will have to replace valve cover.
Original Equipment Part Numbers
OE number – 11 12 1 432 928 Superseded by to 11 12 7 512 839
11 12 1 432 928 began production in 12/01/1997 until 09/01/2002 when 11 12 7 512 839 began production and it hasn’t been superseded to this day.
Valve Cover Replacement Cost
It really depends whether you’re buying a used one from eBay, a local junkyard, or a brand new part at a parts store. Doing it yourself over hiring a mechanic, can be another variable in your cost.
As far as your parts go, your cost will be between $150-400. Again, this is depending on whether you’re going to buy used over new.
I ran an estimate on repairpal.com and this was the result:
Obviously, this is an E46 valve cover gasket replacement quote, not just the cover. But it is best practice to do the gaskets as well, if you are doing this job already.
Compatibility
By BMW Chassis
E39,E46,E53 X5
By BMW Engine
M52,M54
By BMW Model – (11 12 1 432 928)
BMW 323Ci
-
2000 BMW 323Ci
BMW 323i
-
1999 BMW 323i
Mfr body code: E46
-
2000 BMW 323i
BMW 325Ci
-
2001 BMW 325Ci
-
2002 BMW 325Ci
Up to 9/2002
BMW 325i
-
2001 BMW 325i
-
2002 BMW 325i
Up to 9/2002
BMW 325xi
-
2001 BMW 325xi
-
2002 BMW 325xi
Up to 9/2002
BMW 328Ci
-
2000 BMW 328Ci
BMW 328i
-
1999 BMW 328i
Mfr body code: E46
-
2000 BMW 328i
BMW 330Ci
-
2001 BMW 330Ci
-
2002 BMW 330Ci
Up to 9/2002
BMW 330i
-
2001 BMW 330i
-
2002 BMW 330i
Up to 9/2002
BMW 330xi
-
2001 BMW 330xi
-
2002 BMW 330xi
Up to 9/2002
———————————————————-
By BMW Model – (11 12 7 512 839)
BMW 325Ci
-
2003 BMW 325Ci 2.5L L6
-
2004 BMW 325Ci 2.5L L6
-
2005 BMW 325Ci 2.5L L6
-
2006 BMW 325Ci 2.5L L6
BMW 325i
-
2003 BMW 325i 2.5L L6
-
2004 BMW 325i 2.5L L6
-
2005 BMW 325i 2.5L L6
BMW 325xi
-
2003 BMW 325xi 2.5L L6
-
2004 BMW 325xi 2.5L L6
-
2005 BMW 325xi 2.5L L6
BMW 330Ci
-
2003 BMW 330Ci 3.0L L6
-
2004 BMW 330Ci 3.0L L6
-
2005 BMW 330Ci 3.0L L6
-
2006 BMW 330Ci 3.0L L6
BMW 330i
-
2003 BMW 330i 3.0L L6
-
2004 BMW 330i 3.0L L6
-
2005 BMW 330i 3.0L L6
BMW 330xi
-
2003 BMW 330xi 3.0L L6
-
2004 BMW 330xi 3.0L L6
-
2005 BMW 330xi 3.0L L6
Where to buy
Amazon – BMW 3-Series (98-02) Valve Cover for E36.7 E39 E46 E53