Regardless of the engine in your F30, the valve cover gasket is the largest physical seal preventing oil from leaking out the top of your engine. The valve cover used on BMW's N20 & N26 engines is made from plastic and uses a rubber gasket. Over time, as the gasket is subject to heating and...

The air filter in your Porsche 996 911 is the only line of defense the engine has against sucking in harmful debris. The air filter gets covered in debris over time as it pulls air from outside, reducing the engine's airflow and its capability to keep harmful particles out. Even the smallest...

As far as issues with BMW's engines go, leaky oil filter housing gaskets are as common as they get. Leaking oil filter housing gaskets date back to the E36 3-series and continue to be an issue on BMW's recent N20 and N26 engines. The rubber gasket separating the filter housing from the engine...

Many of the modern fuel injection systems use mass airflow sensors to read the air entering the engine. Such is the case for the 996-generation of Porsche's 911 Carrera. MAF sensors are generally reliable, but a drop in engine performance, however slight, can be attributed to the sensor. The...

The Volkswagen Mk7 clutch is directly responsible for transferring power from the engine to the transmission. While the clutch is often referred to as one unit, several parts make up the assembly. The clutch disc is a plate with friction material on either side designed to grab the flywheel and...

Nothing is more iconic to a BMW than the badge it wears. Often called a roundel, BMW's emblem has always featured that blue and white pattern representing their home state of Bavaria. However, exposure to the elements can cause that badge to fade and lose its national colors. Replacing that...

No matter what position of your vehicle they are, the condition of the brakes on your Audi S4 is critical. Without them, your sport sedan is a liability to yourself and everyone around you. On all cars, the brakes will be larger at the front to prevent the rear of the car from slowing quicker...

BMW's M-Sport package allows 3-series owners to experience some of the capabilities of an M3. The package equips your BMW with a lower and firmer suspension, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a smaller steering wheel, sportier seats, and fixed piston, Brembo brake calipers. The yellow...

BMW's electric power steering and electric water pump simplified the rotating components on the front of their N20 and N26 engines. Now all the belt only spins the alternator and the A/C compressor. Even with the reduction in belt-driven ancillaries, ensuring that your serpentine belt and...

The entire advantage the BMW xDrive models have over the others is the significantly improved grip they have in treacherous conditions. Where the rear-wheel-drive models struggle in the snow, the xDrive-equipped cars can charge ahead in a safe and controlled manner. To drive the front wheels, BMW...