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You see plenty of people ignore the problem and drive around in a cloud of smoke for years on end. Common does not equal normal. There's really nothing normal about it, a well designed, properly operating engine will not be burning anywhere close to that much oil. Those manufacturers claiming it to be "normal" are just trying to cover their ass and not take responsibility for putting poorly designed products into circulation. All those faults are fixable but often not financially viable, hence them trying to normalize it. Not sure where you're getting the $5-9k figure from, might be the case for a V8 or V12 engine, no way it costs that much for a 4-cylinder. I asked the local BM Workshop for a quote for valve stem seals for an N42/N46 earlier this year, got told $1.5k + GST. As a DIY it'll be a weekend of work, $100-200 in parts depending on any extras you want to do at the same time (spark plugs, vacuum pump seals etc) and a few specialized tools (https://bimmerzen.com/store/product/3/BMW-N42N46-VSCT-Full-Kit).

Don't look at 2005-2012 320's, they've got the same shitty engine. In fact, don't look at any BMW that's not a straight 6.

I'm trying to source a new head gasket to suit the M90 (larger bore M30 from the late 70s / early 80s) going into my E28. RealOEM lists 11121730951 as the 1.72mm option (the thickness I need), but all the images I see are of a typical M30 gasket with holes for water jackets instead of rectangular passages. Below is a picture of my M90 waiting for its gasket - note the rectangle shape water jackets on the left. I queried this with Schmiedmann, who said: "Unfortunately BMW doesn’t list the M90 engine in the parts catalogue anymore, and most models are just mentioned with M30 engine. For those cars, it’s said the gasket is 11121730951, for models made up to 30th April 1982. The gasket comes from BMW exactly as shown online on our website, and it looks the same with other brands that reference it under the same number 11121730951 as well. We’ve had issues with customers in the past trying to order the gaskets for that engine, but since that one doesn’t fit, then unfortunately we can’t really help." Two other gaskets listed are 11121730223 and 11121730226. Both 1.72mm, I'm not sure what the differences are - but either way all images online seem to be of gaskets with circular water jacket holes. Is anyone wiser here? Do I really need to go down the custom gasket route for this or has someone had recent success sourcing a new head gasket? Appreciate any help..

E46 M3 on the bridge… OK, so not spotted in person, but was doing some google street view research for an upcoming trip to SF, and spotted this gem on it’s way onto the Golden Gate Bridge

Yeah man. It sounds amazing. The only things in the exhaust that aren't stainless are the colby hotdog resonators. My old mans stroker is ready to go. 1.5 mm oversized valves, shrick 284 cam. Heavy duty rockers, titanium valve springs, new rocker arms the works. Oh and the ITBs haha. I am itching to finish mine

Sounds freaking sweet mate! Eventually I'll stroke and cam mine, lots of other things first though...

I don't hate it, but i'm not rushing out to get mine done!

Thanks guys, appreciate your experiences. I tracked down Pan Pacific Auto locally but they are wholesale so have got A1 auto electrical to order them for me. Appreciate the offer to help me out @Eagle, if I were local to you I would take you up on it. Cheers, A.

80s Commodore interior. sh*t then. sh*t now.

Saves 10 grams and adds 420hp