540 valve cover gasket manufacturers-

I see that there are 3 different gasket manufacturers offered by Pelican parts. They are all priced about the same. Is there a one that is "better" than the others or are they all basically the same?

Elring Klinger

Meistersatz

Victor Reinz

Good question. Maybe Pelican can suggest one with a phone call. Please let us know what you find out. Thanks.

Ok, Franka...

Pelican said Victor Reinz is the way to go.

Hopefully they are not just trying to get rid of the junk ones that nobody buys.

Originally Posted by BigCo540i

Ok, Franka...

Pelican said Victor Reinz is the way to go.

Hopefully they are not just trying to get rid of the junk ones that nobody buys.

I hope not too.

Was there a difference in price between the 3 choices?

And what apprx is Pelican changing for valve cover gaskets these days?

Fairly reasonable, the low was $15.85 a set which does one VC and the high was $18.65 a set. Under $50 when you include new rubber bolt washers.

The Victor Reinz was on the low side.

Victor Reinz is very good quality, and so are the other 2. They are OE replacement parts or if not, close or identical to OE standards. I would use anyone of these.
I must admit I had very good luck with Victor Reinz so far.

Thanks guys.

Thanks to the teaming up in this thread, we have a new reference addition to the bestlinks (namely which VCG brand to buy):
- How to replace the valve cover gasket (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) & which VCG brand to buy (1) (2)

I am honored for this thread to be inducted into the bluebee best links database.

Originally Posted by BigCo540i

I am honored for this thread to be inducted into the bluebee best links database.

BTW, today, someone asked just now this question:
- Valve Cover Gasket Brand - How Important

Originally Posted by avu3

I'm preparing to replace the valve cover gaskets in my 2002 540iA Sport.

Looking at the common vendor sites, I see some "kits" and I see some vendors doing a la carte with a variety of gasket brands available.

I'm seeing things labeled with "house" brands as well as BMW, Victor Reinz, Goetze

Are there any brands to seek out / avoid?

I don't mind doing the job, but I don't want to do it again prematurely because I bought an inferior product.

Scott

You can rest assured, I pointed that OP to this thread for details!

I did, its true. I actually did search, but I must not have used the right combination of keywords.

I ended up going with OEM. Outside of having to figure out the part numbers, they ended up being roughly the same price as the higher end aftermarket and "kits"

11 12 0 034 105 Left
11 12 0 034 104 Right
11 12 1 437 395 seal - 8 per valve cover
11 12 1 721 879 seal - 3 per valve cover

For my 2002. Earlier cars use different parts (the gaskets at least, not sure about the bolt seals)

Scott

For the cross-linked record, this came in today:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Aftermarket parts

Originally Posted by hanseb@reynolds

Does anyone know who the OEM is for valve cover gaskets for a 2003 530I? I was wondering if Victor Rein would be sufficient?

Based on my research Victor was the way to go and that's what I went with.

Based on my research and on the advice of bimmerteck, I discarded my like-new Victor Reinz gasket after about 15,000 miles and replaced it with a Genuine BMW one when I had to replace my valve cover.

Originally Posted by agent15

I discarded my like-new Victor Reinz gaske

This thread today suggests the same:

Originally Posted by mikeson

DO NOT USE 'Victor Reinz' gasket.

IT has been discussed many times that it will leak soon.

Like this one.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...875&highlight=

Buy OEM from dealer and you are going to like it.
Trust me, I replaced mine twice this year and no more leak after OEM.

So others benefit from every repair, I'll add to this thread:
- What BMW E39 parts & supplies are most often recommended to buy OEM from a dealer or sponsor (1)

And, cross reference to these:

- How to replace the E39 V8 valve cover gasket (1) (2) (3) (4) (540 pdf) (E38) (E38 pdf) & VCG DIYs for the E39 I6 M54 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (2004 E46 video) (another E46 video) (yet another E46 video) & which VCG brand to buy (1) (2) & what VCG lubricants to use (1) & how to replace the timing chain tensioner and rail guide on the I6 (1) & on the M62 (1) & on the M62TU (1) (2) (3)